Samsung Acquires French AI Ultrasound Startup Sonio for €86 Million

Samsung Medison, the medical equipment subsidiary of tech giant Samsung Electronics, has finalized its acquisition of Sonio, a French startup specializing in AI-powered ultrasound technology, for €86 million ($93 million). This strategic move highlights Samsung's growing interest in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance its healthcare offerings.

Founded in 2020, Sonio has rapidly gained recognition for its AI assistant designed to improve the speed and accuracy of ultrasound examinations. Notably, the startup recently received FDA approval for its flagship product, Sonio Detect, which utilizes deep learning algorithms to enhance the image quality of ultrasound scans in real time. Trained on a vast dataset of over a million ultrasound images, Sonio Detect excels at identifying potential prenatal syndromes and abnormalities that might otherwise be missed.

Samsung Medison's CEO, Kyu Tae Yoo, emphasized that integrating Sonio's software will significantly bolster their ultrasound technology portfolio, leading to improved exam quality, efficiency, and overall patient care.

While Samsung has acquired 100% of Sonio's shares, the company has stated that Sonio will maintain its operational independence. It will continue to operate from its headquarters in France and its products will remain compatible with ultrasound devices from various manufacturers, not just Samsung.

This acquisition comes amidst a surge in AI development within France, with the country emerging as a European hub for artificial intelligence innovation. However, the deal also raises concerns about the ability of European startups to scale and compete on a global level, as large foreign tech companies increasingly acquire promising ventures.

While Samsung insists on Sonio's continued independence, the acquisition serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by European nations in retaining homegrown tech talent and fostering a thriving ecosystem for startups to flourish independently in the long term.