Case Western Reserve spinoff raises $3 million Series A for 3D hologram that helps medical students learn anatomy
Photo: AlensiaXR
Case Western Reserve University spinoff AlensiaXR has raised a $3 million Series A round to accelerate development and delivery of its HoloAnatomy learning platform, likened to Google Maps for the human body.
The funding round was led by Sopris Capital and included investment from Ohio-based firms JumpStart Ventures and JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund.
AlensiaXR, formerly Ilumis, introduced HoloAnatomy in 2023. The Cleveland-based company’s flagship product delivers annual savings to academic institutions of 15-20%.
Students are able to immerse themselves in a 3D hologram and view the body from different angles. Medical students who supplemented dissection with HoloAnatomy learned nearly twice as fast and retained information 44% better, according to pilot studies.
The software provides a lens into the human body through interactive, three-dimensional holograms, thus reducing the need for costly, resource-intensive cadaver labs. HoloAnatomy software is in use at more than 20 institutions, including Northwestern University and Finger Lakes Community College.
What it means for Ohio
HoloAnatomy is a first-of-its-kind extended reality learning platform that has allowed universities in Ohio and across the world to improve student learning outcomes while lowering costs.
Additionally, AlensiaXR’s raise comes amid robust momentum in Ohio’s healthcare and biotech space. Ohio has proven it has all the pieces to be a hub of healthcare innovation, from world-class children’s hospitals and higher education institutions to technology startups and supply chain service providers.
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What they’re saying
“This milestone marks a significant step forward in the transformation of medical education. Our investors understand the HoloAnatomy impact: delivering improved learning outcomes anywhere in the world.”
- AlensiaXR CEO Mark Day, who previously led Microsoft’s global HoloLens business
“HoloAnatomy redefines anatomical instruction. Building on its long history of bringing influential research into the public domain, CWRU launched AlensiaXR in early 2023 to accelerate product innovation, improve partner service, and rapidly scale the potential of this extraordinary learning platform. We’re excited to witness the next phase of adoption.”
- Mark Griswold, professor at the CWRU School of Medicine and faculty director at the university’s Interactive Commons, which developed the software
“We believe in the potential of HoloAnatomy software to evolve medical education and we’re excited to support and witness the rapid growth of AlensiaXR in service of this mission.”
- Sopris Partner Abinav Sankar, who will join the company’s board
“With this capital, AlensiaXR is poised to expand its pioneering learning platform to more students and institutions worldwide. HoloAnatomy is helping transform the future of education.”
- Michael Oakes, PhD, CWRU SVP for Research
“Hundreds of thousands of dollars were saved.”
- California Health Sciences University
