Cambridge-based respiratory technology company TidalSense announced a $19 million funding round, equivalent to approximately £14.2 million, on July 24, 2026, to accelerate the commercialization of its artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic platform. The round introduced Cross-Border Impact Ventures as a new investor, while BGF, Airstream Capital, and Foresight Group returned to support the company. The financing brings TidalSense’s total funding to $40 million, including $11 million received through grants.
Addressing Delays in COPD Diagnosis
TidalSense is targeting long-standing bottlenecks in diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a progressive condition that can make breathing increasingly difficult. The company estimates that at least 600,000 people in the United Kingdom are awaiting a formal diagnosis, while conventional spirometry requires specialist training, forceful exhalation, and relatively lengthy appointments. These limitations have contributed to testing capacity constraints and can delay access to treatment for patients whose symptoms may worsen over time.
A Faster Diagnostic Approach
The company’s N-Tidal Diagnose system asks patients to breathe normally into a handheld device for 75 seconds, capturing carbon dioxide waveforms that are subsequently analyzed by AI models. TidalSense says the complete assessment can deliver a COPD diagnosis in under five minutes, allowing clinicians to evaluate four to six patients per hour instead of approximately one using traditional spirometry. Healthcare professionals can reportedly be trained to operate the technology in about 10 minutes without requiring specialist qualifications.
Clinical Development and Regulatory Progress
N-Tidal Diagnose is supported by AI models trained on more than 2.5 million patient breaths and by more than a decade of research and development. In a post-market validation presented at the 2025 European Respiratory Society Congress, the company reported performance above 90 percent across key measures of diagnostic accuracy. The software received a Class IIa CE mark under the European Union Medical Device Regulation in March 2025, making it the first non-spirometry AI diagnostic device to obtain that designation for COPD.
Deployment Across UK Healthcare Settings
TidalSense introduced N-Tidal Diagnose into the National Health Service in September 2025 following commissioning by the Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care Board. The system has since expanded into NHS Wales, community lung screening clinics in southern England, and healthcare services in Glasgow. Clinicians using the platform have highlighted its suitability for community-based testing, particularly for patients who may struggle to attend hospital appointments or complete conventional lung-function assessments.
Funding to Support International Growth
The newly raised capital will support faster commercialization across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and continental Europe, while financing preparations for entry into the United States. TidalSense also plans to expand its platform into additional respiratory indications, including asthma, and strengthen its commercial and operations teams. The company said it has received inbound interest from more than 60 countries, indicating potential demand for diagnostic tools that require fewer infrastructure and training resources.
Leadership and Investor Support
TidalSense is led by Chief Executive Ameera Patel, whose experience obtaining an asthma diagnosis helped shape the company’s focus on more accessible respiratory testing. Co-founder and Chief Engineering Officer Julian Carter has overseen the development of the N-Tidal hardware since the company’s founding, while recent appointments have strengthened its market access, policy, and board expertise. Cross-Border Impact Ventures said its investment reflected TidalSense’s clinical evidence, existing NHS adoption, and potential to expand access to appropriate COPD treatment internationally.
The funding gives TidalSense additional resources to move its respiratory diagnostic platform from initial healthcare deployment toward broader commercial adoption. Its progress will depend on successful international regulatory work, integration into clinical pathways, and evidence that the technology can maintain its accuracy and efficiency at greater scale. If those objectives are met, N-Tidal Diagnose could help reduce testing backlogs and support earlier identification of COPD in both established and resource-constrained health systems.