Moroccan healthtech startup DeepEcho is set to enter the US market after its AI-powered platform for fetal ultrasound analysis received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The move is supported by a new, undisclosed investment from the Singapore-based, Japan-focused venture capital firm AAIC Investment through its second African fund, the Africa Innovation & Healthcare Fund II.
The FDA clearance, granted in June 2025, is a significant milestone for the Casablanca-based company. It not only allows DeepEcho to commercialise its technology in the lucrative US healthcare market but also serves as a key international validation of its safety and effectiveness.
DeepEcho’s software acts as a co-pilot for clinicians conducting fetal ultrasounds. The AI analyses image data in real time to automatically identify and classify the “standard views” — critical anatomical snapshots of the fetus’s head, abdomen, and other areas — required for proper diagnosis.
The company says its AI, trained on one of the world’s largest fetal ultrasound datasets, has achieved a clinical accuracy rate of over 95%, on par with experienced medical professionals.
A dual-market strategy
While the immediate focus is on the US, DeepEcho’s long-term mission is rooted in addressing healthcare disparities in emerging markets, including its home continent of Africa.
The shortage of trained sonographers and radiologists in many African countries can lead to diagnostic delays and poorer maternal and child health outcomes. DeepEcho’s platform is designed to improve the efficiency and standardisation of ultrasound examinations, enabling healthcare professionals with less specialised experience to perform high-quality scans.
“The FDA clearance is a commercial gateway to the US, but it’s also a credibility stamp that we believe will accelerate adoption in the Global South,” Youssef Bouyakhf, cofounder and CEO of DeepEcho said. “Our goal is to build a sustainable business in developed markets to help fund our mission to make essential diagnostics more accessible everywhere.”
The investment from AAIC is aimed at fuelling this US market entry and further R&D. AAIC, an early and active investor in the African tech ecosystem, has previously backed startups including logistics platform Kobo360 and healthtech company Rology.
“DeepEcho represents a compelling combination of a globally competitive technology and a profound potential for social impact,” said Susumu Tsubaki, Representative at AAIC Investment. “The FDA approval validates the technical excellence of the team. We see a clear path for commercial success in the US and Europe, which in turn will support the company’s crucial work in Africa.”
From standard views to predictive health
Beyond its current capabilities, DeepEcho is developing next-generation features that use AI to predict pregnancy complications at an early stage. By identifying new biomarkers from ultrasound images, the company aims to create tools that can forecast the risk of conditions like preeclampsia, potentially enabling earlier medical intervention.
The startup’s progress has attracted international attention, including a spot in the Google-sponsored accelerator “AI First MENA & Turkey.”
To strengthen its position, DeepEcho is actively seeking commercial and technology partnerships. Bouyakhf is scheduled to visit Japan this week to coincide with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, a platform used to foster relationships between African businesses and Japanese corporations.
For a North African startup, securing both FDA clearance and backing from a prominent Asian investor marks a critical step. The challenge now will be to navigate the complex US healthcare system while advancing its technology to serve the vastly different needs of patients in its home markets.
At a glance: DeepEcho
- Company Name: DeepEcho
- Headquarters: Casablanca, Morocco
- CEO: Youssef Bouyakhf
- Business: Develops AI-powered software to assist healthcare professionals in conducting and analysing fetal ultrasound examinations, aiming to improve accuracy, efficiency, and access to care.
At a glance: AAIC Investment
- Company Name: AAIC Investment Pte. Ltd.
- Headquarters: Singapore
- Representative: Susumu Tsubaki
- Founded: 2013
- Business: A venture capital firm managing funds focused on high-growth sectors, with a significant focus on Africa’s healthcare and innovation landscape through its Africa Healthcare Funds (AHF). As of June 2025, its two African funds have invested in 60 companies.