This Dutch Startup's AI Agent is Changing How We Access Hearing Care

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-28

Let's talk about a quiet problem that's getting a surprisingly loud solution. Over in Maastricht, a Dutch startup called Clementine just secured $2 million in Seed funding. They're not building another generic AI chatbot—they've created something called Matthew, an AI hearing care agent designed to tackle one of healthcare's most persistent bottlenecks. It's a simple but powerful idea. Hearing clinics are swamped. Potential patients often hesitate for years before seeking help. Clementine's platform steps into that gap, acting as a bridge that's available 24/7, no judgment, no waiting list. ### The Funding and The Vision Behind It The $2 million round was led by Healthy.Capital, an Amsterdam-based HealthTech investor known for backing innovative companies like Pharmi and OpenUp. For them, it wasn't just about the technology. Douwe Jippes, managing partner at Healthy.Capital, put it this way: "Clementine combines deep domain expertise with a clear AI platform strategy that can scale globally. We believe this approach will fundamentally change how people with hearing disability engage with hearing healthcare." That's the key—impact at scale. Founder and CEO Vince van de Weijer started Clementine (also known as ClementineAI) in 2024 with a clear mission: to be the world's first AI hearing activation platform built specifically for this industry. ### How 'Matthew' The AI Agent Actually Works So, what does this platform do? Think of Matthew as a dedicated, infinitely patient front desk agent. He engages directly with people exploring hearing care options. He answers questions, educates, and helps overcome those very real emotional and practical barriers that stop people from booking an appointment. For clinics, the value is immediate. Staff get relief from repetitive administrative tasks, and more of those initial calls actually turn into booked consultations. For patients, the path to better hearing becomes less daunting. "Clinics don't need more leads; they need better conversations at the right moment," says van de Weijer. "Matthew ensures no patient inquiry goes unanswered." ### The Massive Problem They're Aiming to Solve The numbers here are staggering, and they highlight why a solution like this is so crucial. Clementine points out that hearing loss affects roughly 1.5 billion people worldwide. Now, get this—nearly 80% of those people never seek treatment. And those who do? They typically wait over eight years before taking action. That's a decade of compromised quality of life for millions. Clementine's approach pairs AI with behavioral science to create a judgment-free, always-available starting point. It meets people where they are, long before they're ready to walk into a clinic. ### What's Next for Clementine This funding arrives at a pivotal time. The company recently expanded its commercial reach through a partnership with Zoolstra, a marketing agency that works with hearing clinics across the United States and Canada. That North American footprint is clearly a priority. The fresh capital is earmarked for two main goals: deepening the AI's capabilities and forging more partnerships. They're looking beyond just hearing clinics to optical retailers and other healthcare organizations, building a wider network for their platform. It's a classic case of a European startup identifying a specific, painful friction point in a global industry and applying focused technology to smooth it out. They're not just selling software; they're trying to change a behavior and accelerate access to care. And now, with $2 million behind them, they're ready to make some noise.