Author: Arnd Kaltofen

Last year, Vi Partners led a Series A2 round in Vara (www.vara.ai), a pioneering company focused on democratising breast cancer screening and improving women's healthcare outcomes. We are thrilled to partner with Vara's exceptional team, who are driven by the ambition to transform how breast cancer screenings are conducted, ensuring accessibility, accuracy, and a patient-centric approach.

What is Vara:

Vara is at the forefront of AI-based breast cancer screening solutions, leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide a comprehensive and integrated platform for early detection and diagnosis.

With a strong emphasis on clinical validation and strategic partnerships, Vara aims to revolutionise the way breast cancer is detected, diagnosed, and treated.

The Visionary Team:

At the helm of Vara are visionary leaders with impressive credentials. The founders Jonas and Stefan, along with a team of talented individuals, bring extensive experience in the digital health and AI space. The teams’ expertise and passion for improving women's health outcomes have been instrumental in driving Vara's progress and attracting further top-tier talent.

Empowering Women Globally:

Vara's mission extends beyond technological innovation. The company is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on a global scale by focusing on underserved markets and adopting a b2b market approach. By collaborating with local partners and implementing employer contracts, Vara has made significant strides in countries like Egypt and India, with promising momentum and a growing number of screenings.

Adapting Strategies for Success:

Vara understands that each market presents unique challenges and opportunities. The company's agility and ability to adapt its commercial strategies to specific market conditions have been crucial to its success. By implementing a focused b2b model, Vara ensures efficient and cost-effective access to women in need of screenings.

Driving Clinical Validation:

Vara's dedication to clinical validation is exemplified by its strategic partnership with over 30% of screening centres in Germany. The company's participation in the prospective PRAIM study, the largest of its kind, highlights Vara's commitment to generating robust data to support future reimbursement discussions and shape the future of breast cancer screening.

Conclusion:

At Vi Partners, we are thrilled to support Vara's mission of empowering breast cancer screening globally. The company's innovative AI-driven approach, strategic partnerships, and dedicated team position it for success in transforming women's healthcare outcomes. We are confident that Vara will continue to make significant strides in its journey to become one of the world's leading cancer care providers.

About Vi Partners:

Vi Partners is the longest-established Swiss Venture Capital firm. For more than 20 years, Vi Partners has been supporting innovative Technology and Healthcare companies, investing over CHF 330m in 66 startups. Vi Partners-managed funds are backed by Switzerland’s most visible companies and institutions, including ETH Zurich, ABB, Buhler, Credit Suisse, Hilti, McKinsey, Nestlé, Schindler, Sulzer, Suva and ZKB as well as the European Investment Fund and many other institutional investors.