Berlin’s Patronus Secures €11M to Redefine Elderly Care with Smart Technology
A Berlin-based startup is reimagining elderly care through a combination of smartwatch technology and family-focused apps. Patronus, which develops mobile emergency solutions for seniors, has closed an €11 million funding round led by 3TS Capital Partners. Existing investors, including Grazia Equity, Singular, Burda Principal Investments, Adjacent, NAP, and UVC Partners, also participated in the round.
The company, founded in 2022 by Ben Staudt and Tim Wagner, aims to modernize elderly care by replacing outdated emergency call devices with a discreet smartwatch. Traditional devices, often bulky and stigmatizing, have seen limited adoption, with only 14% of users wearing them consistently. Patronus’ solution combines practicality with dignity: its watch resembles a standard timepiece, comes in various colors, and features an integrated SIM card for independent connectivity.
“Our goal is to create a world where ageing means safety, independence, and connection,” said Ben Staudt, founder of Patronus. He noted that elderly users often resist traditional devices due to their appearance and intrusiveness. “My grandmother’s emergency call device ended up as ‘bedside decoration’—too bulky, too stigmatizing, a quiet admission that help was needed,” he shared, highlighting the emotional barrier to adoption.
Patronus’ smartwatch prioritizes simplicity and reliability. A single button press connects users to a 24/7 emergency call center across Germany. The accompanying family app tracks whether the watch is being worn, monitors location, and notifies relatives in emergencies. With 85% of users wearing the watch daily, Patronus has already handled over 500,000 emergency calls and connected 50,000 family members to their elderly relatives.
Beyond safety, Patronus is addressing loneliness among older adults. The company is developing an AI-powered companion integrated into the watch, designed to provide conversational support during moments of solitude. “It’s not a replacement for human connection,” the company clarified, “but a solution for the hours when no one is there.”
This latest funding follows Patronus’ €27 million Series A round in October 2022, led by Singular and Adjacent. The rapid growth reflects increasing demand for tech-driven solutions in elderly care, particularly in urban centers like Berlin.
For a generation that values independence, Patronus’ approach offers a balance between safety and dignity—proving that technology can evolve to meet human needs without sacrificing comfort.
