Hair Up Laser Raises €880K to Advance Innovative Hair Regeneration Device in Europe
Hair Up Laser, a Barcelona‑based medical device startup developing an innovative hair regeneration solution, has successfully closed its first major funding round, securing €880,000 in a mix of private investment and public grants to advance clinical validation and regulatory approval of its photobiomodulation‑based device aimed at combating androgenetic alopecia. The company, founded in 2022 by CEO Esther Caballero and co‑founder José Manuel Rueda, plans to use this capital to complete clinical trials and navigate the complex European medical device regulatory process ahead of commercial rollout.
The €880,000 financing package was led by First Drop VC, an impact‑oriented venture capital fund focused on backing early‑stage startups that address significant societal challenges through innovative technology. First Drop VC’s support signals strong confidence in Hair Up Laser’s potential to address the widespread and often emotionally impactful condition of hair loss, which affects millions worldwide and is one of the largest segments in aesthetic and medical device markets.
In addition to the lead investor, the funding round attracted participation from a range of private investors and networks. EconomistesBAN, the business angel network associated with the Col·legi d’Economistes de Catalunya, contributed to the round, bringing in experienced investors from within the Catalan entrepreneurial ecosystem. Pinama Capital23, another private investment group known for supporting innovative ventures, also backed the company alongside the women‑focused investment network WA4STEAM, which champions diversity and sustainability in technology startups. A cohort of individual business angels from Spain and Germany further supplemented the private capital component.
This blend of private investor participation underlines a growing trend of financing for healthtech startups that combine strong technological innovation with clear social impact goals. Hair Up Laser’s approach, using low‑level light therapy to stimulate cellular mechanisms that promote hair regeneration, distinguishes it from traditional hair loss treatments and aligns with rising demand for non‑invasive medical solutions.
Alongside private investment, Hair Up Laser also secured significant institutional backing. The company received a NEOTEC grant from CDTI Innovación – Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico e Innovación, a Spanish government agency under the Ministry of Science and Innovation that funds high‑tech startups with growth potential. In parallel, the company obtained financial support from ENISA | Empresa Nacional de Innovación, a public entity that provides participative loans and other instruments to innovative Spanish companies. These institutional funds bolster Hair Up Laser’s runway and strengthen its ability to meet clinical and regulatory milestones.
The combined funding enables Hair Up Laser to conduct a pivotal clinical trial at the Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona, where the company has already gained approval from the hospital’s ethics committee. The trial, which will assess safety and effectiveness of the photobiomodulation device in human subjects, is a crucial step toward securing CE marking under the European Medical Device Regulation and achieving broader commercial availability across European markets. Completion of the trial is expected in the first half of 2026, after which the company plans to initiate the regulatory submission process.
Hair Up Laser’s technology leverages photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths to stimulate cellular processes involved in hair follicle health. The company aims to offer a clinically validated, user‑friendly alternative to existing treatments, with an emphasis on both efficacy and quality‑of‑life improvements for users. The pursuit of CE certification represents a key milestone in transforming this innovative prototype into a medical device that can be prescribed or recommended by healthcare professionals.
In announcing the successful funding round, CEO Esther Caballero highlighted the emotional as well as clinical impact of hair loss and the mission of the company to provide a real solution for individuals affected by alopecia. She thanked the investor group for their belief in the vision and emphasized that this capital marks only the beginning of Hair Up Laser’s journey toward broader market adoption and future growth.
As Hair Up Laser continues its clinical and regulatory progression, the company’s mix of impact‑oriented investment and public funding positions it well to navigate the challenges of medtech innovation. With its first trial underway and a clear path toward European market entry, Hair Up Laser is advancing its goal of bringing a next‑generation therapeutic device to a global audience eager for safe, effective hair restoration options.
