SquareMind raises $18 million to transform dermatological exams through robotics and AI

French deeptech startup SquareMind has reached a new milestone, announcing an $18 million funding round. The company aims to accelerate the rollout of its automated skin imaging technology at a time when demand for dermatology services is surging.

• SquareMind raises $18 million to speed up the deployment of its automated skin imaging technology amid growing pressure on access to dermatological care.
• The startup is preparing the commercial launch of “Swan”, a robot combined with artificial intelligence capable of mapping the entire body in just a few minutes with dermoscopic precision.
• This innovation aims to respond to exploding demand, with waiting times reaching up to 12 months and critical challenges around early skin cancer detection.
• Positioned as a support tool rather than a replacement, the solution is designed to optimise medical time and could become a new standard in modern dermatology.

A funding round addressing a dermatology crisis

SquareMind is entering a major new phase. The deeptech startup has announced an $18 million funding round, including a pre-Series A round, to support the industrialisation and deployment of its solution. The financing involves major investors, including Bpifrance’s Deep Tech 2030 fund and US-based Sonder Capital, alongside international investors and health innovation entrepreneurs.

Behind this funding is SquareMind’s ambition to accelerate the market launch of “Swan”, a full-body skin imaging robot powered by artificial intelligence. The company is targeting an imminent commercial rollout in both Europe and the United States, where pressure on dermatology services continues to increase. Waiting times for appointments can reach up to 12 months, largely due to population ageing and a shortage of specialists.

Early detection has become a critical issue, especially since around 80% of melanomas appear as new lesions, requiring close and regular monitoring. SquareMind positions itself within a broader trend of technology-augmented medicine, designed to absorb rising demand while improving quality of care. It represents a structural shift in which AI and robotics do not replace doctors, but instead reorganise their time and priorities.

“Swan,” the first AI-powered robot for dermatological imaging

At the heart of this funding round is “Swan”, presented as the first robot capable of mapping the entire surface of the skin in just a few minutes with dermoscopic-level precision. Developed in close collaboration with dermatologists, the system automates the capture of ultra-high-resolution images and integrates directly into the care pathway.

The challenge is not only technological but also organisational. By automating lesion imaging and documentation, SquareMind aims to reduce clinicians’ cognitive workload and free up valuable time. The associated AI software then tracks the evolution of moles over time and helps detect abnormalities.

However, the promise remains carefully framed: the dermatologist retains full clinical decision-making authority. The tool is positioned as a “companion” to medical practice, enhancing human capabilities without replacing them. This pragmatic approach aligns with both field expectations and regulatory requirements in healthcare. With this funding round, SquareMind aims to establish itself as a future standard in modern dermatology. At the intersection of robotics, AI, and public health challenges, the French startup reflects a new generation of companies reshaping access to care in the context of unprecedented demographic and medical pressure.