RetinaLogik Aims to Prevent Vision Loss with AI and VR, Fueled by Fresh Funding

Calgary-based startup RetinaLogik has successfully concluded an oversubscribed round of pre-seed funding, securing $783,000 CAD. The company, focusing on scalable solutions, aims to advance its portable eye test device that uniquely blends artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies. This funding injection will likely play a crucial role in the startup’s efforts to further develop and expand its innovative eye testing technology.

RetinaLogik’s pre-seed funding round, structured with Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs), witnessed the leadership of HaloHealth. The funding round attracted participation from various entities, including Spring Impact Capital, UCeed’s Haskayne Student Fund, York Angels, and individual angel investors. This diverse support highlights the interest and backing from both investment organizations and independent investors in the potential of RetinaLogik’s AI-VR eye testing device.

RetinaLogik, led by CEO Abdullah Sarhan and COO Julia St.Amand, originated from Abdullah Sarhan’s exploration during his PhD, where he specialized in applying deep learning to vision science. Sarhan, seeking to amplify the impact of his research, participated in hackathons, leading to the formation of RetinaLogik. The collaboration between Abdullah Sarhan and Julia St.Amand signifies the fusion of expertise and innovation in the development of their portable eye test device, incorporating artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

The inception of RetinaLogik took root when Abdullah Sarhan and Julia St.Amand crossed paths at a hackathon, discovering a shared passion for addressing healthcare challenges. This encounter sparked a partnership that evolved into the formation of RetinaLogik in 2018. Over subsequent years, the duo dedicated themselves to extensive product development and testing, culminating in the creation of a groundbreaking portable eye test device utilizing virtual reality glasses.

The global challenge of vision loss, affecting at least 1.1 billion people worldwide, struck a chord with Abdullah Sarhan during a research trip to Uganda. Recognizing the inadequate access to vision care, Sarhan and Julia St.Amand embarked on a mission to revolutionize eye testing. The current methods employed by optometrists and ophthalmologists involve large, cumbersome machines that St.Amand likened to a “fax machine in the ’80s.” These non-portable devices demand significant space, specialized technicians, and extended testing periods, often up to an hour for accurate results.

The significance of the portable eye test struck a personal chord with Julia St.Amand, as her father, who has glaucoma, undergoes similar tests four times a year. This firsthand experience fueled their commitment to creating a solution. The duo introduced their prototype in 2019, but their dedication to refinement and testing with clinics persisted, aiming to enhance the device’s effectiveness and accessibility.

RetinaLogik’s platform now facilitates vision care providers in collecting and analyzing visual field data through a virtual reality headset and advanced analytics software. Patients, guided by the headset, perform various vision tests, and the results can be remotely viewed by a vision specialist. Currently deployed in Canadian clinics, the startup also collaborates with optometrists and ophthalmologists to extend eye tests to senior homes, enhancing access for seniors. With the fresh funding, RetinaLogik aims to expand its team, incorporate new vision tests, support device sales, and acquire Class 2 certification from Health Canada.

In its journey, has secured a total of $1.7 million, combining dilutive and non-dilutive funding. Excluding the recent pre-seed round, the funding includes $600,000 in non-dilutive funding and $150,000 in dilutive investment. The startup’s portable device, offering cheaper, faster tests with results comparable to the gold standard, addresses challenges faced by vision care specialists. RetinaLogik aims to enable clinics to compete on patient care experience, especially where space constraints and a shortage of skilled technicians hinder accessibility to vision care services. The device, deployed in diverse clinics, aims to bridge global gaps in vision care access and enhance patient experience.