A New Path to the Brain: Vonova’s Minimally Invasive Approach Gains Backing 

Vonova Inc., a neurotechnology startup led by Wesley Jones and Dr. José Morales, has secured seed funding from a group of notable investors including XEIA, Device of Tomorrow Capital, and SmartGate VC. This investment comes as the company advances its Cerebro Clear system, an endovascular platform that accesses the brain without the need to drill through the skull. 

For those working on the frontlines of neurological care, the implications are real. The Cerebro platform adapts minimally invasive vascular techniques, typically used in cardiac interventions, to navigate a natural path to the subdural space. The result: a procedure that could offer an alternative to conventional neurosurgery for conditions like chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). 

“We’re excited about Vonova’s Cerebro Clear system and what this will mean for patients suffering from chronic subdural hematomas,” said Samantha Tabone, General Partner at XEIA, in a statement. “We’re also extremely enthusiastic about the platform potential and future impact that Vonova’s products will have on the neurotech ecosystem at large.” 

Reimagining Treatment for Chronic Subdural Hematomas 

By 2030, cSDH is projected to affect at least 60,000 new individuals in the United States annually. The condition is typically treated through an invasive neurosurgical procedure involving skull drilling and ICU recovery. Vonova’s approach enables physicians to treat the condition in a radiology suite, reducing costs, hospital stays, and recovery times, particularly valuable for elderly patients who are often at greatest risk. 

The startup recently completed preclinical testing for its first clinical application, Cerebro Clear, and sees cSDH as an ideal initial focus. The condition not only represents an urgent clinical need but also allows for smoother adoption among interventional radiologists and neurologists. 

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Blueprint MedTech: From Concept to Clinic 

Vonova’s progress has been supported in part by the NIH Blueprint MedTech program, an initiative designed to accelerate the development of neurotechnologies through non-dilutive funding, expert guidance, and commercial readiness support. Participation in the program helped Vonova sharpen its go-to-market strategy and position the Cerebro Clear system for clinical success. 

“The support from NIH’s Blueprint MedTech program has been instrumental in advancing our technology and preparing us for this investment round,” said Wesley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Vonova. “This seed financing will accelerate our path to bringing this transformative technology to patients.”

Beyond Hematomas: A Broader Platform Potential 

While cSDH is the immediate clinical target, Vonova’s Cerebro platform has the potential to support a broad range of applications—from diagnostic procedures in epilepsy and drug delivery to neuromodulation and brain-computer interfaces. By leveraging the body’s venous system, the company aims to reduce the physical burden of accessing the brain, opening doors to less invasive and more scalable neuro-interventions. 

With fresh investment, a validated clinical need, and growing institutional support, Vonova appears to be building not just a device, but a new clinical paradigm, one that could make treating neurological disorders safer, simpler, and more accessible. 

Explore Innovations Like This at MedTech Malta 2025 

Stories like Vonova’s reflect the rapid evolution of neurotechnology and minimally invasive care. If you’re interested in discovering more breakthrough ideas and meeting the innovators behind them, make sure to attend MedTech Malta 2025, happening from 12 to 14 November. The event will bring together leaders from across the global MedTech ecosystem for three days of insight, collaboration, and discovery. For more information, contact us at [email protected].