Europe is facing a significant challenge due to its ageing population. With around 38 million people projected to be over 65 by 2050, demand for rehabilitation services will increase. However, a decline in skilled healthcare workers is projected to result in a potential shortfall of up to 1.8 million positions in Germany by 2035.
Clinics are also facing economic pressures, including rising costs and constrained budgets. A major issue is the high administrative workload, which accounts for about one-third of a healthcare worker’s time. Berlin-based FICUS is addressing these challenges by streamlining administrative processes.
To ease the workload for medical staff and develop its platform, FICUS Health, a German AI health tech company, has closed its seed funding round, raising a total of €3 million, led by Redstone, including support from Merantix Capital and several prominent industry business angels.
Giving time back to clinical teams
Founded in 2024 by Benjamin Pochhammer (CEO) and Dr Mario Elstner (CTO), FICUS Health develops an AI platform that supports rehabilitation clinics with medical documentation.
“Our goal is not only to bring time back into everyday clinical work, but to fundamentally improve the way rehabilitation clinics operate,” says Benjamin Pochhammer, CEO of FICUS, a serial entrepreneur who previously built a successful tech company in the rehabilitation sector with CASPAR Health
Unlike broader digital therapeutics like Kaia Health or Routine Health, FICUS specialises in inpatient rehab clinic documentation automation. The software automates key processes, reduces administrative workload, and frees up more time for patient care. According to the company’s claims, in many clinics, FICUS reduces documentation effort by up to 70 per cent.
The platform meets high security and data protection standards, including ISO/IEC 27002; all patient data is processed exclusively in Germany, claims the company.
“AI is the key lever to relieve operational workflows, optimise cost structures, and at the same time improve the quality of care. In this way, we support both medical staff and decision-makers who aim to shape their facilities in a digital and economically sustainable way,” says Pochhammer.
At present, FICUS is working with nearly 100 rehabilitation clinics in Germany, including those run by Deutsche Rentenversicherung and VITREA Gesundheit Holding. In less than nine months, they have processed over 100,000 medical documents, and around 1,000 professionals use the system each day.
What’s next?
With the new funding, the German company aims to develop its AI platform further, create additional applications across the entire patient journey, and ensure compatibility with existing systems.
Additionally, the company will enhance its organisational structures and steadily strengthen its market presence in the German-speaking region.
“FICUS demonstrates how specialised AI solutions can transform workflows in the healthcare sector. The team combines technological excellence with a deep understanding of clinical needs and is setting new standards in the rehabilitation market,” says Lucas Paul, Investment Director at Redstone.
