Probando

[Name] Probando

[Elevator Pitch]

[The Story] “We are a platform for clinical trials to connect researchers and participants.”

In 2018, one of Probando’s cofounders, Manuel Leal Garcia, accompanied his fiancée to an international medical conference in the US. As they spoke to other researchers there, Manuel found that many faced the same difficult experience in their line of work: finding participants to be a part of various clinical trials. Together with cofounders Julia Harrer, Gernot Winkler and Matthias Ruhri, Manuel developed the idea of a platform where individuals can find, access and sign up for clinical trials.

Today, Probando serves as a platform that provides both visibility and transparency for clinical trials. Participants gain exclusive access to the latest therapies, learn more about their bodies and health, test new products, take part in competitions and even earn money in some studies. The company’s founders also solve challenges for researchers, who can struggle to find the right participants for their studies or the right quantity. Potential participants are often not aware of clinical trials taking place, as there is no transparent or publicity-boosting information about it. Probando leads as a win-win situation for both gaps in the medical research market. It started clinical trials with its first paid customer in September 2020.

[Funding History]

Pre-Seed Seed

Though there was initial difficulty in funding and considering most labs for clinical trials were closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Probando made waves as soon as vaccinations were being approved. Cofounder Matthias Ruhri reached out to his broad network of different investors in the early stage, including some local investors who were keen on supporting. Four months later, the company closed its first six-figure investment round (in December 2020).

[Milestones]

Hiring our first employee in June 2020, even amidst a global pandemic.

Closing our first investment six months later.

Finding our first big pharmaceutical client in January 2021.

Saving thousands of unused vaccine doses, enabling Austrians to get vaccinated in the summer of 2021.