SA hardware technology incubator Savant has invested R9.5 million in Cape Town based medtech start-up SmartBlade.
Savant Venture Fund manager Nick Allen — who was earlier this year succeeded as CEO by Francois Malan — revealed today in a phone call with Ventureburn that the deal – which Savant made via its venture fund – was signed earlier this week.
The deal marks the fund’s first investment since it announced its first close of R110-million in February. Savant’s venture fund invests in hardware tech businesses with products that are ready for market.
SmartBlade has developed a device, which consists of a smartphone app that is linked to a video laryngoscope that enables single operators of varied skill levels to intubate difficult airways.
The start-up was founded in 2016 by husband and wife duo Nick Nevin – who serves as managing director – and specialist anaesthesiologist Dr Caroline Corbett.
Nevin said the start-up has begun independent mannequin trials with an international airway expert and that the results so far have “exceeded expectation”. He added that clinical trials will follow shortly.
He pointed out that developed and emerging markets are inquiring after the device.
“The consumer demand for the device has been overwhelming already and we look forward to both local, African and the broader international patients benefiting from this lifesaving and long awaited technology solution,” said Nevin.
”This technology will be the first in its space for long overdue market disruption
Nick NevinManaging Director
SmartBlade, Nevin said, intends to manufacture its device locally. “As we scale, will see an exponential rise in job creation right the way through from our manufacturing site, to our sales and marketing divisions,” he explained.
Although he did not disclose just how much the device will cost, Nevin said the price point will be “very competitive and certainly affordable” to the individual clinician, or end user. This, he said will be “a first” for a device of this type in this market space.
“This technology will be the first in its space for long overdue market disruption,” he added.
From seed funding to venture capital
Nevin said to date SmartBlade has raised around R2-million in funding. This, he explained, includes self-funding, prize money, angel investment, government seed funding through the Technology Innovation Agency and Seda.
“Our funding needs will escalate over the next two years in order to scale, meet consumer demands and in order to compete on an international scale. We will be raising further funds,” he added.
The Craft and Design Institute in 2017 shortlisted SmartBlade as one of seven start-ups that it would provide with seed funding of up to R500 000.
In 2017 Dr Corbett won the WFSA-Fresenius Innovation Award, along with $25 000, for developing SmartBlade’s device.
Last year SmartBlade received R500 000 from the Small Enterprise Development Agency’s Technology Transfer Fund.
The investment in SmartBlade is the first by Savant’s venture fund which earlier this year announced its first close of R110-million.
Allen said the funding will allow the pre-revenue start up to acquire moulds to manufacture its device and to attain certification, which he said includes US Food and Drug Administration registration.
The investment, which Allen said is in the form of a convertible note, will see Savant take equity in SmartBlade at a later stage on future valuation.
“We want to end up with between 25% and 35% equity. Our goal is to incentivise growth and to ensure we incentivise follow on funding,” explained Allen.
”Proof of pudding
Nick AllenSavant Venture Fund CEO
Allen said the investment was “proof of pudding” of the incubator’s model. He said Savant is currently looking at backing five companies. He would not disclose the names of the companies but said the majority of them are from the incubator.
Said Allen: “We are likely to do the next deal within the next month or two”.
This is an adaptation of an article entitled, “SA hardware tech incubator Savant invests over R9m in medtech startup SmartBladeSA SME Fund commits R110m to hardware tech incubator Savant” on the Ventureburn website.
