Surgical Robotics Technology
Haventure announces the appointment of Addie Harris and Patrice Arpal and the creation of an investment structure for seven of its start-ups.
The world’s first business accelerator dedicated to surgical robotics
Haventure is a unique player in the world created in Grenoble in 2012 by entrepreneur Stéphane Lavallée to support innovative start-ups specialized in medical technologies. “The accelerator has supported several start-ups from Grenoble in the field of surgical robotics. The latest ones are well-known and spectacular, including eCential Robotics, with a financing plan of €100m in 2021, and Orthotaxy, which was acquired by the world’s #1 MedTech Company, Johnson & Johnson in 2018. Haventure’s impressive achievements also include Imactis, Uromems, Blue Ortho, A2 Surgical, and Traumis Surgical, a unique track record in the world with 100% success”, declared Stéphane Lavallée, Haventure and eCential Robotics president.
Employing surgical robotics means securing and ensuring unequalled precision of the surgical act, but also offering practitioners ease of use and real time savings. This is a field of the future that is already firmly rooted in the Grenoble ecosystem, which is recognized worldwide for its richness in this area. At the heart of a robust network of companies, Haventure allows a strong mutualization of means, innovative ideas, technologies, and experiences, in France and internationally. The structure offers a unique service for incubation and acceleration of start-ups in the field, providing them with dedicated mentoring, training, support from experts in quality and regulatory affairs, intellectual property, IT, human resources, as well as other support functions. Haventure is composed of 13 expert employees provide support to MedTech entrepreneurs and their teams, so that start-ups can then devote themselves entirely to the development of their innovative projects.
Reinforcement of the management team
Haventure has appointed Addie Harris as CEO and Patrice Arpal as Managing Director. Stephane Lavallée remains President via his holding company.
• Addie Harris comes to Haventure with a history of entrepreneurship in MedTech, Medical Device and Robotics. She was founder and CEO of Cardan Robotics (acquired by Stryker in 2019) and has held roles at several well-known robotics and imaging start-ups. Most recently she was an R&D leader at Johnson and Johnson, founding the Orthopedics Robotics organization, acquiring Orthotaxy and leading the VELYS Robotic Surgical Solution through development to commercial launch. It was during this time that she met Stephane Lavallée. A strong bond was formed over the shared interest in medical robotics, surgical technology and cultivating talent through mentorship and the development of young, brilliant technologists. Addie has undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and robotics from Tufts University and received a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship in Robotics and Augmented Reality.
• Patrice Arpal comes to Haventure with a background in law and business in the healthcare and corporations. He has a master’s degree in Business Law and an Executive M.B.A. He started his career in a law firm in Lyon, then moved into corporate world. He has held roles including In-House counsel, General Counsel, and most notably was in the healthcare space as Lead Manager of Corporate Law for in vitro diagnostics firm BioMérieux when it was led by Moderna’s now CEO Stéphane Bancel. Patrice joined Haventure in September 2022 as Chief Legal Officer before being appointed General Manager.
Supporting the growth of seven high potential startups in an exponentially growing market
“The surgical robotics market is booming, experiencing exceptional double-digit growth and creating hundreds of jobs per year, bringing meaning and strong innovations for the ultimate benefit of patients”, said Addie Harris, Haventure CEO. Major market players are driving the trend: in recent years, spectacular multi-billiondollar acquisitions have been made, and this trend is set to increase as the entire traditional implant industry transforms to digital surgery. A growth of 16.5% is predicted by specialists, representing a market of $12.7 billion in 2025 (source MarketsandMarkets™ report “Medical Robots Market” 2021).
With medical robotics poised for spectacular growth across all areas of treatment, Haventure is uniquely positioned as an incubator and growth accelerator for an initial seven start-ups and advises them in structuring their fundraising to support their rapid development, access to strategic expertise and capital needs. “I am excited to join Haventure at this foundational moment. I am looking forward to mentoring our seven exceptionally talented CEOs as they tackle improving patient care. The Haventure model of strong backbench IP, expert surgeon support, lean teams and focus on clinical needs resonates with my personal philosophy of how to develop technology. Not only will this investment structure deliver transformational medical offerings, but Haventure’s talent incubator and personal mentorship is developing the next generation of entrepreneurs to carry the torch forward in advancing innovation in MedTech”, Addie Harris added.
The fundraising operation was prepared with the guidance from internationally known firm BCG (Boston Consulting Group) and will enable pooled investment in seven incubated start-ups. The start-ups have targeted business models that directly address unmet clinical needs in the MedTech and Robotics space. Theyspan indications such as orthopedics, ENT, general surgery, and maternal hemorrhage.
Source: Haventure
