Boston– Boston-based health tech startup illumicell AI has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding to develop a real-time artificial intelligence platform for male fertility diagnostics. The company, founded by Harvard-trained physician Dr. Michel Bielecki, former McKinsey consultant Jeyla Sadikova, and rocket engineer Loup Cordey, aims to transform how reproductive health is assessed—starting with men.
The funding round drew support from top healthcare operators and early-stage investors, including KOFA Healthcare, Harvard Phoenix Venture Fund, and MedTechSyndicates.
At the core of illumicell AI’s innovation is a portable “lab scanner” capable of analyzing semen samples and delivering clinical-grade results within minutes. The startup hopes its technology will bring much-needed attention and accessibility to male fertility, an often-overlooked factor in infertility cases. According to co-founder and CSO Jeyla Sadikova, while male factors contribute to nearly half of all infertility cases, fewer than 25% of men receive proper evaluation.
“Fertility care has long placed the burden on women, despite the data,” Sadikova said. “We’re changing that by making accurate male diagnostics fast, accessible, and equal.”
The real-time diagnostic device not only shortens wait times and reduces costs, but also opens the door to more proactive fertility care, said CEO Dr. Bielecki. The platform collects structured, labeled data from each scan, creating a dynamic dataset with over 400,000 data points. These insights can track lifestyle effects, supplement efficacy, and early signs of reproductive decline.
“This brings sperm testing into the era of AI,” said urologist and investor Dr. Jeremy Teoh. “It’s a game changer for clinicians and patients alike.”
While illumicell AI is initially focused on male fertility, its diagnostic technology has broader applications across other bodily fluids such as urine and cerebrospinal fluid. With early clinical trials already outperforming traditional lab systems, the company is preparing for FDA submission in 2026.
The startup has gained recognition from top innovation accelerators including Harvard i-Labs, MassChallenge, Techstars, and Creative Destruction Lab. It was also named one of the Top 8 Startups shaping the future of urology by the American Urological Association.
illumicell AI is positioning itself at the intersection of AI, diagnostics, and reproductive health—with an eye toward making cellular insights both accessible and actionable.
