Deep Breathe lands $703K federal grant for AI lung ultrasound tech
What's the deal? London, Ontario startup Deep BreatheDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has received a US$733.3K (roughly $703,000) grant from FedDev OntarioDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario, to scale and commercialise its AI-powered lung diagnostics. The agency announced the funding on October 13.
What's the endgame? Paired with an ultrasound system, Deep Breathe's software — called ATLAS, or AI Tactical Assessment System — can instantly diagnose pneumothorax, hemorrhages, and other lung injuries, bypassing the need for a chest X-ray. The company markets the tool for use on the battlefield, in hospitals, and in paramedicine.
Why now? Founded in 2020, Deep Breathe now has a staff of 15, up from nine in 2024. Founder and chief executive officer Dr. Rob Arntfield said the money will fund hiring and help clear regulatory hurdles.
The grant also carries weight beyond its size. "The kind of confidence that comes with the federal government standing shoulder to shoulder with your innovations that were merely a drawing on a cocktail napkin a few years earlier, it does a lot for the soul," Arntfield said.
By the numbers: The grant sits in the lower range for deals in its class, landing in roughly the 32nd percentile by amount. It follows earlier wins: about $100,000 from the US Army-hosted xTechInternationalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → competition and $169,000 from the defence ministry.
What's next? Last month, Deep Breathe was named one of 15 companies chosen for NATO DIANADealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s Mission Track, a defence innovation accelerator, opening the door to use by NATO allies. Arntfield said the company has engaged with militaries worldwide and sold some systems, despite the product still being in the prototype stage.
The signal: The funding is part of a US$366.7M government pledge to expand the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative to US$513.3M, aimed at helping AI startups scale and tackle adoption challenges. For Ottawa, backing firms like Deep Breathe is a bet that AI delivers broad public benefit — in this case, faster, radiation-free diagnostics where imaging is hard to reach.
Read more: cbc.ca
Image credit: abbybatchelder
