Phaze Ventures is pleased to announce our investment in Andromeda Surgical, a surgical robotics company building AI-guided systems to make complex procedures safer, easier, and more efficient.
Andromeda is developing autonomous surgical robots that combine AI-driven anatomical mapping, surgeon-in-the-loop autonomy, and a tablet-based interface. The company's first indication is holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, or HoLEP, a proven urologic procedure with strong patient outcomes but a steep learning curve for surgeons.
The opportunity is significant. Surgical robotics has already transformed parts of the operating room, but many systems still focus primarily on physical manipulation. Andromeda is building for the cognitive layer of surgery: helping surgeons understand anatomy in real time, navigate procedures more precisely, and reduce variability in outcomes.
We invested in Andromeda because it sits at the intersection of deeptech, AI, and healthcare infrastructure. It is a hard technical problem in a large market, with the potential to change how specialist procedures are delivered. It also matches our view that the most important AI companies will not be limited to software workflows. Some of the most valuable AI applications will live in the physical world, where intelligence can improve accuracy, safety, and access.
Andromeda has already reached a major clinical milestone. In December 2024, the company announced the world's first robotic-assisted HoLEP procedure using its platform at Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile. The procedure, performed via a tablet interface, marked the start of Andromeda's ASTRA clinical trial.
Clinical progress at this stage is rare. It reflects the team's software-focused approach to surgical robotics and its ability to move quickly while building in a regulated and technically demanding category.
Andromeda is taking on one of the most ambitious opportunities in healthcare: bringing AI-driven guidance and autonomy into the operating room. Nick and Kartik are repeat founders with the technical depth, urgency, and clinical focus needed to build in this category. We are excited to support them alongside Y Combinator and other early backers.
Abdullah Al Shaksy, Co-founder and CEO of Phaze Ventures
Andromeda was founded by Nick Damiano and Kartik Tiwari. Nick previously founded Zenflow and Avail MedSystems, bringing deep medtech company-building experience. Kartik brings robotics and autonomy experience from Starsky Robotics, where he helped build autonomous trucking technology.
The company's thesis is that surgery can become more consistent, more accessible, and easier to learn when robotics is combined with real-time AI guidance. Starting with HoLEP gives Andromeda a focused entry point into a procedure where the learning curve is high and the potential clinical value is significant.
Our view is that surgical robotics is entering a new phase. The next generation will be defined not only by mechanical precision, but by intelligence, software, and autonomy that help surgeons make better decisions.
We are excited to support Nick, Kartik, and the Andromeda Surgical team as they advance AI-guided surgery.
About Andromeda Surgical
Andromeda Surgical builds autonomous surgical robots designed to make surgery safer, easier, and more efficient. The company's first indication is HoLEP, with a broader vision to build an AI-guided platform for multiple surgical procedures.
Visit andromedasurgical.com to learn more.