AI4Eyes Secures $4.7M to Commercialize AI-Driven Eye Care Platform

MONTRÉAL, QC – January 12, 2026 – AI4Eyes Medical Technologies Inc., a Montréal-based innovator in ophthalmic technology, today announced it has secured $6.5 million CAD (approximately $4.7 million USD) in new funding. The capital infusion, completed in the fourth quarter of 2025, consists of a $3.7 million CAD internal round from existing investors and $2.8 million CAD in non-dilutive financing.

This significant financial milestone is set to propel the company from its research and development phase into full-scale commercialization of its regulated, AI-powered eye care solutions. The funds are earmarked for accelerating regulatory approvals in Canada and the United States, advancing product development, and preparing for a strategic global market entry.

"This financing marks a pivotal milestone for AI4Eyes as we shift into full-scale execution and commercialization," said Dr. Tara Akhavan, CEO of AI4Eyes. "With the continued support of our existing investors and access to non-dilutive funding, we are accelerating regulatory approvals, expand our clinical programs, and bring meaningful AI-driven innovation to eye care providers and patients globally."

A New Lens on Diagnostics

At the heart of AI4Eyes' mission is a sophisticated platform designed to fundamentally streamline and enhance the diagnostic process for eye care professionals. The company aims to consolidate what is often a fragmented and time-consuming workflow, which can involve multiple devices and take over 30 minutes per patient. AI4Eyes' system promises to condense up to 10 essential eye tests into a single, comprehensive five-minute scan.

This efficiency does not come at the expense of precision. The company reports that its AI-driven multimodal analysis elevates diagnostic performance to over 89% accuracy, a notable improvement over the 85% accuracy often associated with traditional methods. The system leverages high-resolution imaging of the ocular surface, which its proprietary AI algorithms then analyze to detect conditions and formulate personalized treatment recommendations. This continuous learning model is designed to become progressively "smarter" with each patient interaction, constantly refining its diagnostic capabilities.

Initially, the platform is targeting dry eye disease, a common and often complex condition to manage. The company is currently engaged in a clinical initiative to collect real-world data from 1,000 patients to further validate and enhance its AI for ocular diagnostics. Following its entry with dry eye solutions, AI4Eyes plans to expand its capabilities into myopia and corneal management. This focused approach is coupled with a disruptive business model: a minimal one-time hardware cost followed by a flexible software subscription based on a pay-per-disease model, potentially increasing clinic revenue by up to 30% while improving patient care.

Navigating a Competitive and Regulated Field

The market for AI in ophthalmology is expanding rapidly, with North America leading the charge due to a high prevalence of eye diseases and a mature healthcare technology ecosystem. AI4Eyes enters a dynamic landscape populated by innovators like Altris AI, which uses deep learning for retinal diagnosis, and CSI Dry Eye, which offers a cloud-based platform specifically for dry eye management. The trend is moving toward AI as an indispensable assistant for clinicians, augmenting their expertise rather than replacing it.

Success in this space, however, hinges on more than just technological prowess. Navigating the complex regulatory pathways for AI-enabled medical devices is a critical hurdle. Both Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been actively developing frameworks to oversee these advanced technologies. In early 2025, Health Canada finalized its pre-market guidance for machine-learning-enabled medical devices, emphasizing a risk-based classification and mandating compliance with Good Machine Learning Practices (GMLP).

Similarly, the FDA has been adapting its approach, moving toward a Total Product Lifecycle (TPLC) model and finalizing guidance on Predetermined Change Control Plans (PCCPs). These PCCPs are crucial for AI companies, as they allow for pre-approved modifications to algorithms without requiring a full new regulatory submission for every update. AI4Eyes' focus on using its new capital to accelerate these regulatory activities indicates a deep understanding of this complex but essential process, which is key to unlocking market access in North America and beyond.

Strategic Capital for Global Expansion

The composition of the $6.5 million CAD funding round speaks volumes about AI4Eyes' strategic position. The $3.7 million CAD from existing investors signals strong internal confidence in the company's technology and its leadership's ability to execute on its vision. This is complemented by $2.8 million CAD in non-dilutive funding—capital that does not dilute founder or investor equity.

While the specific sources were not disclosed, this type of funding is often provided by government programs designed to foster innovation, such as Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) or provincial bodies like MEDTEQ+. Securing non-dilutive capital is a significant advantage, as it provides fuel for the costly processes of clinical trials, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance without diminishing ownership stakes.

With this strengthened balance sheet, AI4Eyes is poised to execute an ambitious growth plan. The company will advance its clinical trials, expand data collection efforts, and prepare for commercial readiness in key global markets. A crucial part of this strategy involves onboarding a global expert leadership team to build strategic partnerships and navigate the nuances of international healthcare systems, transforming its technological potential into tangible market presence.

A Proven Leader with a Clear Vision

Guiding AI4Eyes through this critical transition is Dr. Tara Akhavan, an entrepreneur with a formidable track record in technology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Akhavan holds a PhD in Image Processing and Computer Vision and has over 15 years of global leadership experience. Her previous venture, the software startup IRYStec, was successfully acquired in 2020 by FORVIA, a global leader in automotive technology.

Her experience is not just academic; it is deeply commercial. After the acquisition, she established and led FORVIA's first software business unit, growing it tenfold and earning multiple CES Innovation Awards. This background in scaling a technology company from concept to commercial success and global recognition provides AI4Eyes with seasoned leadership.

Dr. Akhavan's vision for the company is rooted in a philosophy of human-technology collaboration. She aims to empower eye care providers with tools that make their work "smarter, faster, and more accurate for everyone, everywhere." This latest funding round provides the necessary resources to turn that vision into a reality, marking a definitive step in AI4Eyes' journey to bring its regulated, AI-driven solutions from the laboratory into clinics around the world.