Bioscan Research raises $1 million seed funding led by Unicorn India Ventures

MUMBAI: Bioscan Research is hoping to shine a light on brain injuries, quite literally. The MedTech startup has raised $1 million in a seed funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures to scale its non-invasive brain injury diagnostic technology and accelerate its expansion in India and overseas.

The fresh capital will be used to strengthen the company’s market presence, secure additional regulatory approvals, upgrade its products and develop new intellectual property, as it looks to meet growing demand for affordable, early-stage diagnostic tools.

Founded in 2017 by Anupam Lavania and Shilpa Malik, Bioscan Research develops medical devices that combine optics, electronics, mechanical engineering and software to detect brain injuries without invasive procedures.

At the heart of its portfolio is CEREBO, a machine learning-powered near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device that helps detect intracranial injuries in trauma patients, including cases where symptoms are not immediately visible. The device is designed to support faster clinical assessment during the critical “golden hour”, improving the chances of timely intervention.

Speaking on the fundraise, Bioscan Research co-founders Anupam Lavania and Shilpa Malik said the investment would help the company enhance its technology and take its solutions to a wider global market.

“We harness light to reveal what the eyes can’t see, giving doctors clarity, patients hope and technology a heart,” they said. “More than 50 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries every year, while 50 to 90 per cent of patients with mild traumatic brain injury go unidentified. This funding will help us upgrade our product, overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic tools and deliver timely care in India and internationally.”

The company said it has recorded fivefold growth over the past 12 months, driven by increasing adoption of its technology and continued product improvements. It now aims to triple its business over the next year while expanding into new domestic and international markets.

Backing the investment, Unicorn India Ventures managing partner Anil Joshi said healthcare continues to present significant opportunities for innovation, particularly in diagnostics.

He said the incidence of head injuries and brain trauma highlights the need for technologies that enable early diagnosis and quicker medical intervention. According to Joshi, Bioscan Research has demonstrated strong progress over the past year by enhancing its technology and building momentum in a market with considerable growth potential.

With fresh capital in hand, Bioscan Research is betting that faster, non-invasive diagnosis can improve outcomes for trauma patients while making advanced brain injury detection more accessible across healthcare systems in India and beyond.