Hilo raises $19M extension backed by Michael Dell's office to challenge the blood pressure cuff
What's the deal? Swiss healthtech Hilo, developed by Aktiia, has closed a $19 million Series B extension backed by DFO ManagementDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the family office of Dell Technologies founder Michael DellDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The round lifts total funding past $119 million.
Who's backing it? The involvement of Michael Dell's family office marks a notable investor entry for the Neuchâtel-based company, which rebranded from Aktiia in 2025. The extension follows a $42 million Series B closed in May 2025 that brought total funding to $100 million.
What's the endgame? Hilo wants to replace occasional cuff readings with continuous monitoring. Its system pairs a wrist-worn optical sensor, an FDA-cleared cuff, and a mobile app to generate roughly 30 to 35 blood pressure readings a day, including overnight, so users and clinicians can track long-term trends.
Why now? The funding coincides with the US launch of Hilo Core, which the company calls the world's first complete blood pressure health system. Founders Mattia Bertschi and Josep Solà spent nearly 15 years at the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology testing more than 30 approaches before developing the optical technology, now used by over 200,000 people globally.
The cash targets the US, where nearly half of adults live with hypertension. "Hilo represents a fundamental shift in how we approach blood pressure, especially in the U.S., where nearly half of adults live with hypertension, and many remain undiagnosed or undertreated," said chief executive Stefan Petzinger.
What could go wrong? Hilo is challenging cuff technology that has remained largely unchanged since 1881, and accuracy is the sticking point. Its optical readings still require periodic cuff recalibration, and the company says results depend on engagement — a study of more than 30,000 users found highly engaged users achieved up to five times greater reductions in systolic blood pressure over six months.
The signal: Wearables are edging into regulated medical territory. The global blood pressure monitoring devices market was valued at $4.19 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $8.56 billion by 2033, and Hilo is betting continuous data can do for cardiovascular health what step counts did for fitness.
Read more: Tech Funding News
