roclub raises $11.7M Series A funding to expand U.S. presence and solve medtech staffing crisis

roclub, a European teleoperation startup tackling the shortage of medical technologists, is bringing its remote medtech platform to the U.S. after securing $11.7 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Smedvig Ventures and YZR, with participation from Speedinvest and several angel investors.

The company’s pitch is simple: hospitals across the U.S. are struggling to find enough qualified technologists to run diagnostic machines like MRI and CT scanners. roclub’s platform lets technologists operate those machines remotely through a cloud-based system that connects any medtech device, from any vendor, to a secure teleoperation network.

The concept isn’t theoretical — it’s already running in 11 countries. With this new funding, roclub is officially setting its sights on the U.S. market, where the shortage of skilled professionals has led to long patient wait times and idle, expensive equipment.

At the heart of roclub’s offering is a smartphone-sized connector that plugs into a medical device’s display, giving remote technologists full control over the interface. From there, they can manage multiple machines across sites, coordinate with on-site staff through built-in video and audio, and even communicate with patients — all without being in the same room, city, or state.

European Startup roclub raises $11.7M to Scale its Teleoperated MRI and CT Scanner Platform Across the U.S

For hospitals, the appeal is clear. Technologists can support more patients in less time, machines stay in use instead of sitting idle, and care delivery becomes more consistent across regions. For technologists, it’s a chance to keep working without being tied to one physical location — a hybrid approach that blends flexibility with impact.

roclub’s co-founders, Dr. Matthias Issing and André Glardon, know the problem firsthand. Before launching the startup, they ran a large chain of diagnostic centers in Europe and experienced the same shortages they’re now trying to fix. Their experience shaped roclub’s vision: to become the global standard for medtech teleoperation, enabling seamless, secure access to medical equipment from anywhere in the world.

“The skilled technologists needed to operate medtech equipment are not keeping pace with demand,” said Joe Knowles, Partner at Smedvig Ventures. “Building on their success in Europe, we look forward to supporting their launch in the U.S. and their mission to ensure more equitable access to healthcare.”

The new funding will accelerate roclub’s U.S. rollout, with a focus on building regional sales, customer support, and a remote technologist marketplace that connects hospitals directly with certified professionals. That marketplace, set to debut later this year, could be a turning point for healthcare providers that have struggled to fill roles in radiology and beyond.

roclub’s U.S. president, Joshua Seyler, called the company’s move a timely response to a growing crisis: “Amid rising labor costs and critical skills shortages, U.S. healthcare providers are embracing innovative medtech solutions to optimize operations and meet the rising demand for radiology procedures. roclub empowers providers to access top expertise and deliver exceptional, high-quality care to every patient, every time.”

Since its founding in 2022, roclub has expanded across Europe and Asia, serving major diagnostic imaging providers in hospitals and outpatient facilities. With its Series A in hand, the company plans to double its headcount next year and deepen its product development in teleoperation AI and connectivity.

For Glardon and Issing, the mission is personal. “We saw firsthand how technologist shortages are impacting access to care for patients,” Glardon said. “roclub is changing that by helping healthcare providers across the world maximize the value of their medtech equipment through AI-driven remote operations.”

If the company succeeds, hospitals could soon treat more patients without adding new machines or local staff — a model that might just redefine how medical imaging and diagnostics are delivered in the U.S.

roclub team