Clementine, a Maastricht-based AI startup focused on hearing care, has raised $2 million, approximately €1.7 million, in Seed funding led by Healthy.Capital. The company will use the capital to expand in the United States, strengthen clinic integrations, and further develop its AI-powered patient engagement platform. The round supports Clementine's push to improve how hearing-care providers convert inquiries into appointments.
Addressing Gaps in Hearing Care
Founded in 2024 by Vince van de Weijer, who serves as founder and CEO, Clementine is developing technology designed to improve how hearing-care providers interact with prospective patients before treatment begins. The company says one of the sector's biggest challenges is that many people with hearing loss delay seeking care, while clinics can miss a significant share of inbound calls, creating lost appointment opportunities and revenue. Clementine aims to address these problems by ensuring that patients receive immediate, consistent communication while reducing the administrative workload placed on clinic staff.
Matthew Automates Patient Engagement
At the center of Clementine's platform is Matthew, an AI Hearing Care Agent built specifically for audiology and hearing-care workflows. The system can answer calls around the clock, explain hearing-care options, respond to patient concerns, handle common objections, schedule appointments, and maintain follow-up communication while remaining aligned with clinic procedures and escalation protocols. Clementine says early deployments in live clinics have resulted in stronger appointment booking rates, improved patient readiness and trust, and lower administrative pressure on employees responsible for managing incoming inquiries.
Combining AI With Behavioral Science
Clementine combines artificial intelligence with behavioral science to address the practical and emotional barriers that can prevent people from pursuing hearing treatment. Its platform is designed to provide prospective patients with an accessible, judgment-free way to ask questions, understand available treatment options, and move toward professional care when they are ready. Van de Weijer said clinics often do not need additional leads as much as they need better conversations at the right moment, with Matthew intended to prevent patient inquiries from going unanswered.
Expanding Across the United States
The Seed financing follows Clementine's recent commercial expansion through a partnership with Zoolstra, a marketing agency serving hearing clinics and hearing groups across the United States and Canada. The company plans to use the funding to accelerate its broader US rollout, develop additional integrations with systems already used by clinics, and expand AI-driven capabilities for patient education, activation, and follow-up. Clementine is also seeking to grow partnerships with hearing clinics, optical retailers, and other healthcare organizations as it works to establish its platform across a wider range of patient-facing environments.
Healthy.Capital Managing Partner Douwe Jippes said Clementine combines specialized industry knowledge with an AI platform capable of scaling internationally. The funding gives Clementine additional resources to expand its reach and further develop its hearing-care technology. The company will now focus on scaling its platform across more clinics and healthcare partners.