Kardi AI Raises €1.1M to Expand Smart Heart Monitoring
Czech startup Kardi AI has secured €1.1 million (28 million CZK) in funding to support the international rollout of its AI-powered chest strap that detects cardiac arrhythmias. Along with the financial boost, the company has also announced a leadership shift, with Vlastimil Hrabal stepping into the role of CEO.
Transforming How We Detect Arrhythmias
Kardi AI was co-founded by Czech cardiologist Tomáš Skála and Stephen Burke to make heart monitoring simpler, more accurate, and accessible. Traditional 24-hour Holter monitors often fall short—they only detect irregularities about 5% of the time. Kardi AI's wearable chest strap, by contrast, records data daily and applies AI to analyze it in real-time. The result? A 29% detection rate and over 250 serious, previously missed arrhythmias flagged so far.
Skála has emphasized that one of the key challenges with arrhythmias is their unpredictability. He pointed out that since these episodes can occur at any time, limited-time monitoring often misses them entirely. With Kardi AI's device, patients can check their heart rhythms daily, significantly improving the likelihood of early detection.
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Funding, Backers, and New Leadership
The €1.1 million investment was led by Lumus Investment Collective, alongside a Czech angel investor. BrightCap Ventures, DEPO Ventures, and Garage Angels also continued their support from previous rounds. The startup’s earlier backers include Soulmates Ventures, Purple Ventures, and Cleverage Capital.
In parallel, the company is undergoing a leadership transition. Vlastimil Hrabal, previously COO and an early investor, has taken on the CEO role. Stephen Burke, co-founder, will now serve as executive director and chairman of the board.
Hrabal has described Kardi AI as a company with an exceptional product that has demonstrated its real-world value in improving lives. He believes the combination of solid data, clinically validated results, and ease of use can lead to a significant shift in how cardiovascular diseases are prevented. He also noted the team’s goal to position Kardi AI as a leader in long-term heart monitoring across Europe.
Next Steps: New Markets and Clinical Trials
The new funding will be used to drive Kardi AI’s expansion across European markets, starting with Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Later, the company plans to enter the UAE and India, where there is growing demand for affordable heart-health solutions.
Part of the funding will also go toward completing ongoing clinical trials at university hospitals in Olomouc and Ostrava.
As Kardi AI scales its technology and reaches new regions, the startup is positioning itself at the intersection of AI, preventive health, and medical accessibility—bringing smart, daily heart monitoring within reach for many more people.
