Shenzhen-based Deepwise AI Completes Nearly RMB 100 Million Series C1 Financing to Advance Intelligent Ultrasound Solutions

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) recently learned that Shanghai Shenzhi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Shenzhi Tech”), a leading AI-powered ultrasound company, has announced the completion of a new round of financing, with the amount nearing RMB 100 million.This round of financing was led by a well-known investment institution, with New Silk Road Capital participating as a co-investor. Sources close to the team told VCBeat that the funds raised in this round will be primarily used for the continued research and development of AI-powered high-performance medical imaging and mobile high-performance intelligent ultrasound medical devices.

Shenzhi Technology initially focused on artificial intelligence, big data, and application scenarios, integrating AI into ultrasound diagnostics to create convenient, intelligent, and low-cost devices. Moving forward, Shenzhi Technology will continue to invest in R&D for integrated hardware and software solutions in medical devices, providing customers with increasingly accessible medical imaging diagnostic services.

With the continuous advancement of technology, Shenzhi Technology has achieved breakthroughs, and its commercialization pace is gradually accelerating.Its products and services now reach nearly 10,000 primary healthcare institutions, with main business revenue projected to more than triple last year’s figure, driving overall scale growth into the hundreds of millions.

Shenzhi Technology Ultrasound Probe Technology

Shenzhi Technology, as a company dedicated to providing high-performance, integrated intelligent healthcare solutions for the basic medical and health service system, has always been a leader in empowering primary healthcare with artificial intelligence technology.Through long-term R&D accumulation and commercial progress, the company has transcended the limitations of single-modality imaging products.

Leveraging a high-performance computing platform for advanced imaging, Shenzhi Technology has deployed its portable ultrasound scanning devices in primary healthcare and clinical specialty settings. Building on this foundation, Shenzhi Technology will pioneer AI-driven innovations in the untapped MRI market, creating integrated imaging solutions from the ground up to establish new application scenarios.

In addition to leveraging and being empowered by massive big data, Shenzhi Technology has developed its own proprietary underlying AI algorithms for ultrasound, delivering sensitivity and specificity approaching “1”. Furthermore, by applying AI to lower the threshold for equipment usage and assist in clinical diagnosis, the company further strengthens its competitive moat by capitalizing on the advantages of scenario-based AI applications.

Dr. Zhu Ruixing, CEO of Shenzhi Technology, expressed his ambitions for the company’s long-term value:“The development of AI-powered ultrasound is a systematic engineering endeavor. As a platform company built on artificial intelligence algorithms, if we do not gain an in-depth understanding of hardware platforms, leverage ultrasound as the vehicle to deliver high-performance mobile intelligent ultrasound applications, and verify diagnostic recognition rates at the grassroots level, we will be unable to thoroughly master imaging quality and usage methodologies beyond the algorithmic layer. Only by doing so can we refine the next generation of terminal devices that better meet market demands and ultimately prevail in the long-term value race of artificial intelligence.”

He also emphasized,“Shenzhi Technology has now fully completed the product transformation of its 1.0 version, and will systematically evolve from the 2.0 stage of in-house software development and deep hardware integration toward the 3.0 ecosystem model featuring integrated software and hardware, enabling rapid iterative self-evolution.”

Looking back at the company’s development in 2021, Shenzhi Technology officially upgraded its brand name from Soundwise to Senz, and its AI division was formally renamed Sentel.

This marks a major upgrade for Shenzhi Technology, evolving from its initial focus on AI-assisted ultrasound diagnostic solutions to high-performance AI medical imaging solutions.

Looking ahead, it is steadily advancing its top-level strategic framework: an integrated smart healthcare service platform. By leveraging multiple initiatives—ranging from two advanced medical products that empower the basic healthcare delivery system to high-performance, comprehensive intelligent healthcare solutions—it awaits the singularity that will herald the pinnacle of industry innovation.

From the perspective of team background,Shenzhi Technology was co-founded by a team of Ph.D. returnees from Columbia University in the United States and leading medical imaging experts from China and abroad. Notably, it includes the strong addition of the pioneer behind China’s first generation of handheld ultrasound devices. The team’s interdisciplinary expertise spans biomedical engineering, machine learning, electrical engineering, and mechanical automation, covering core nodes in medical imaging R&D and production, including imaging technology, algorithms, image-guided navigation, and chip computing power.

As representative diagnostic methods of advanced human imaging, ultrasound imaging and MRI, when integrated with the wisdom of traditional medicine, embody a fusion of empirical experience and technological innovation. Their significance to the advancement of medical progress is undeniable.

Based on the current market situation,Disparities in the allocation of medical equipment across China and significant technical shortcomings in primary care medical devices persist. Leveraging the national opportunity presented by epidemic prevention and control to address weaknesses, close gaps, strengthen deficiencies, and establish a robust public health system, it is an opportune time to advance new medical infrastructure development.

As a key intersection of the two national-level strategies, “Healthy China” and “Digital China,” the “new infrastructure” in the digital healthcare sector has been accelerating under policy guidance. The market size of smart healthcare in China is projected to exceed RMB 500 billion by 2025.

The greater market increment also lies in the overall strategic planning for holistic health within the "Healthy China" initiative.

In March 2021, the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress voted to approve the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035. The Outline proposes prioritizing the protection of people’s health as a strategic priority, adhering to the principle of prevention first, deeply implementing the Healthy China Initiative, improving national health promotion policies, strengthening the national public health safety net, and providing comprehensive, lifelong health services for the population.

In terms of market forecasts, the market size of China's health industry reached 7.4 trillion yuan last year, and in 2021, the market size of China's health industry will be at least over 8 trillion yuan.

With policy as the catalyst, momentum for change and industry-wide consensus have been established.The company has also achieved certain key results at various stages during its rapid development:

AI: Mastering Both Hardware and Software

In terms of commercialization, Shenzhi Technology’s products and services have successfully reached and penetrated over 5,000 primary healthcare institutions, securing a leading market share in the fields of intelligent imaging equipment for primary care and telemedicine solutions.

In 2021, the Group’s main business revenue exceeded RMB 200 million, more than triple that of the previous year. Notably, revenue from imaging equipment achieved rapid growth.

Commercialization Process

Today, digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data are permeating every aspect of the healthcare industry, gradually unfolding a comprehensive ecosystem for digital health. On the eve of technological transformation, enterprises must continue to drive industry development through sustained innovation capabilities.

Dr. Zhu Ruixing, CEO of Shenzhi Technology, shared his expectations for future development:“As China continues to refine its tiered healthcare system, the demand for high-performance medical imaging equipment is steadily increasing. Shenzhi Technology will persist in exploring the application of artificial intelligence technologies and devices in the medical field, bringing AI-powered medical imaging truly into primary care settings. This effort aims to better alleviate the shortage of national medical resource allocation, enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the basic medical and health service system, and comprehensively support the nation’s health.”

Shenzhi Technology is rapidly growing in this sector by leveraging its advantages in clinical genomics, algorithms, and ultrasound interpretation.

Shenzhi Technology is committed to continuously advancing its intelligent hardware and software solutions, thereby reducing the application costs of ultrasound equipment and further enhancing the operational efficiency of primary healthcare services. By steadily expanding product application scenarios and achieving comprehensive market penetration, the company aims to ultimately realize its vision of addressing critical pain points in the medical industry.