Inge Sieben and Frank Everaerts, owners of Glanum Diagnostics tell:

Inge: "We saw an opportunity to make life easier for both the GP and the patient. Namely by giving the GP the possibility to perform the Holter ECG examination himself. A holter is a device that records and stores heart activity for 24 or 48 hours. Normally, the general practitioner has to refer a patient to the hospital for this. With our Holter service this is not necessary." 

How does the device and the service work exactly?   Frank: "The GP has a complete Holter package in stock at the practice. The GP or assistant easily applies the holter himself. The patient then goes home and sends the holter directly to Glanum after the measurement. The cardiologist evaluates it and makes a report and treatment advice. He sends this to the general practitioner. The GP then discusses the results of the examination with the patient. No waiting lists, no unnecessary hospital visits. Direct and easy."  

LIOF supported this promising startup  Glanum Diagnostics approached LIOF and Rabobank for funding. LIOF invested in this promising startup in January 2020. Under the encouraging eye of Krista Van Weert and Stefan Vocks, both Investment Manager at LIOF. Krista: "We went into detail about the content of their ideas. And we challenged them extensively on their business plan.

An easy decision. It led to an easy decision. It's an innovative product that not only makes life easier for patients and doctors, but can also reduce healthcare costs. After all, patients do not have to go to the hospital in the first place. Does the analysis of the measurement show that a referral is necessary? Only then does the patient have to go to the hospital. 

I never thought sparring could be so valuable. Frank and Inge definitely recommend Limburg startups to contact LIOF. "We were extremely happy with the many tips we received. Not only from LIOF itself, but also from its extensive network of entrepreneurs in Limburg. There we found many interesting interlocutors. It really enriched us as entrepreneurs."

"We were indeed able to give Glanum a few valuable tips," Krista looks back. "For example, we advised Frank and Inge to focus especially on the business plan. There were many great ideas on the table, but we advised them to take it one step at a time. We also gave tips to improve the legal structure. Not unimportant for a start-up.

Without enough financial resources we wouldn't be where we are now "LIOF also helped us tremendously financially, together with Rabobank. With these financial resources, we were able to firstly validate the holter service at the GP in 2019. So that we can continue to grow. Secondly, LIOF made it possible to further develop our 'patch' and have it certified as a medical device. This is a 'smart plaster'. Even easier to apply than the holter, even more comfort for the patient. In addition, we have plans to make patches for other diagnostic purposes. Such as a sleep patch and a pulmonary function patch."   Keep your focus on your original goal  Frank and Inge have another tip - or reality check - for other entrepreneurs. "'It takes twice as long and is twice as expensive as you think'. We were often told this. At first I thought, 'That won't be so bad', but it really is true. Don't let this discourage you! Keep following your path. Keep your focus on your original goal. Great opportunities always present themselves, but sometimes they only distract you."