QurieGen, a Dutch biotech startup, has secured €2.2 million in pre-seed funding to develop advanced AI-based technology aimed at accelerating drug development progress in oncology. The round was backed by a syndicate of investors from the CEE region, including Tensor Ventures, Lighthouse Ventures, BSV Ventures, and others. Tensor Ventures shared the details with AIN.

About QurieGen

  • QurieGen, a Dutch startup founded in 2022 by Dr. Kinga Matula and Maciej Jarzab, has developed technology that provides a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and cancer drug efficacy at the single-cell level. This innovation helps pharmaceutical companies accelerate drug development and reduce costs by offering more precise insights.

  • Their technology uncovers the complete signaling pathways, replacing multiple incompatible analytical tools that only offer partial views of cellular responses to drug treatments. The company is building a unique AI platform to predict how cells will respond to drug candidates, facilitating data-driven discoveries.

“We gained a deeper understanding of why some drugs work for certain cancers while others don’t. This realization was a breakthrough — our technology could help accelerate drug development, making it faster and more cost-effective. But beyond the science, my personal battle gave me firsthand insight into the challenges patients face. This experience also strengthened my resolve to create meaningful change," says Kinga Matuła, co-founder and CEO of QurieGen.

Investment details

The round was backed by Tensor Ventures, Lighthouse Ventures, BSV Ventures, Moondust Ventures, and 22 Hor Invest, as well as renowned venture US capital investor Tim Draper of Draper Associates (who invested in companies like SpaceX, Tesla, Bitcoin, Carta).

  • Tensor Ventures is a Prague-based VC firm investing in early-stage deep tech startups, particularly in qAI, IoT, blockchain, biotech, and quantum computing. The fund focuses on the CEE region, primarily on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the UK.

  • Lighthouse Ventures, the Prague-based early-stage and acceleration venture capital fund that focuses on tech projects in the CEE market. A syndicate of four European angel investors also joined the round.

  • BSV Ventures invests in early-stage R&D-focused individuals and teams solving complex technical challenges with large potential for commercial application. BSV Ventures targets industries such as biotech, space technology, and artificial intelligence. 

  • The fund recently secured €15 million for its fund to invest in pre-seed and seed-stage deeptech startups across the Baltics and EU.

QurieGen has also been selected as one of 74 startups to join the prestigious NATO DIANA accelerator program, which supports dual-use technologies for both civilian and defense applications. As part of the program, QurieGen will receive €100,000 in funding, access to over 180 test centers, and a spot in one of 13 specialized accelerators.