The €5.1 million investment was led by London-based VC DN Capital and the Munich Healthtech VC YZR Capital. Vimajo Family Office, as well as existing Filu investors Rivus Ventures and Auxxo Female Catalyst Fund, also participated.
In early 2022, the three founders Lena Naderer (CVO), Christian Köhler (CEO), and Justus Buchen (COO) came together. Together, the Filu team aims to make a visit to the veterinarian a truly pleasant experience for veterinarians and pet owners. Naderer outlines the vision:
“I want to redefine veterinary medicine and offer my respected colleagues a contemporary work environment.”
Their approach, which they call ‘De-Novo Urgent Care’, differs from M&A-driven players in the industry. The role model and pioneer is the American company Bond Vet with more than 40 practices in the USA. Founder of Bond Vet, Lukas Keindl, previously an advisor and angel investor, now also takes on an active role on Filu’s board. Keindl explains:
“With the urgent care concept, Filu focuses on establishing technology- and design-oriented veterinary practices and positions itself with its medical portfolio between traditional general veterinary practices and animal clinics.”
Filu relies on technology and customer experience
Founder and CEO Christian Köhler sees the technology- and data-driven approach as another key to success. An in-house platform is not only meant to reduce administrative workload but also leverage animal health data for better medical care. Köhler explains:
“By establishing new practices, we can rely on unified technological and data-driven infrastructure.”
Furthermore, Filu places particular emphasis on customer experience – from digital appointment booking to service-oriented practice with a coffee or treat bar. Soon, customers will be able to manage their pet’s health through an app from a single source. Billing processes and communication with the veterinary practice will then be quick and easy digitally. COO Justus Buchen emphasizes:
“For us, alongside the animal, the human is in focus with the goal of making the visit as pleasant as possible.”
