Munich-based deep tech firm Orbem has closed a $64.5 million Series B funding round for its AI-powered MRI platform. Led by Innovation Industries, the investment will fuel expansion into the United States and new verticals. This capital marks a key milestone in Orbem's mission to provide non-invasive analysis of biological materials at industrial scale.
Revolutionizing Biological Analysis with AI and MRI
Orbem has pioneered a method to make MRI technology rapid and scalable for industrial applications beyond traditional healthcare. Its platform combines advanced sensors with AI to analyze biological materials non-invasively in under one second. This process is building a comprehensive biological dataset, unlocking previously inaccessible insights for various industries.
The funding round was spearheaded by European deep tech specialist Innovation Industries and joined by Supernova Invest. Significant participation from existing backers like General Catalyst signals strong continued confidence from the investment community. This support underscores the perceived value of Orbem's transformative technology and market potential.
Proven Success in the Poultry Sector
The company has achieved commercial success with its flagship product, the Genus Focus. This system uses AI-powered MRI to determine an egg's sex non-invasively, providing an ethical alternative to male chick culling. Having scanned over 170 million eggs, Orbem is a leading provider of in-ovo sexing in Europe.
Orbem recently launched the Genus Scale to assess egg fertilization status before incubation. This innovation allows hatcheries to remove non-viable eggs, optimizing incubator space and reducing operational waste. These eggs can then be repurposed for the food industry, creating new revenue and enhancing sustainability.
A Strategic Roadmap for Global Expansion
A key objective for the new capital is facilitating Orbem's entry into the United States market. The company plans to establish a Houston office in 2025 to introduce its proven poultry solutions. This move is timed to meet growing global demand for sustainable and ethical food production.
Orbem is also expanding its platform into the fruit and vegetable industry. Its non-destructive technology can see inside produce to assess quality and detect internal defects without cutting them open. This capability promises to reduce food waste by enabling precise sorting and ensuring consistent quality.
The company's long-term vision extends to human healthcare, leveraging the vast biological dataset it is accumulating. Insights gained from scanning millions of items will form the foundation for AI models with future health applications. This ambition aims to make non-invasive biological insights more accessible in the medical field.
Investor Confidence and Industry Vision
Dr. Pedro Gómez, Orbem's CEO, emphasized the company's unique ability to perform sub-second MRI analysis without human intervention. He stated the new funding will accelerate US expansion and empower producers with actionable data. This scalable platform is central to the company's goal of helping industries see from the inside out.
Investors echoed this enthusiasm, with Innovation Industries praising Orbem's ability to make complex technology accessible. Supernova Invest highlighted the company's role in addressing challenges like animal welfare and food waste. Both firms see Orbem as a leader in European deep tech, turning breakthroughs into industrial innovation.
This $64.5 million investment propels Orbem into a new era of growth, validating its innovative approach to biological analysis. The funding will scale its success in the poultry industry while driving expansion into new global markets. Orbem is now strongly positioned to transform food systems through its unique inside-out intelligence.