Gaining Market Access: How the Circular Kickstart Is Helping Lynqo Revolutionise Surgical Instrument Management

In this interview, Frédéric van Geuns, co-founder of Lynqo, shares how his start-up is tackling inefficiencies in hospitals and how the Circular Kickstart Healthcare Challenge is guiding their journey into circular healthcare innovation. 

What is Lynqo’s mission, and how did the idea come about? 

Lynqo was founded in August 2024, inspired by a project Kaat Dhont developed during her master’s thesis. The goal was to find a way to make surgical instrument management more efficient, while also dealing with the common problem of lost instruments in hospitals. Kaat and I both realised it had real potential to solve a widespread issue in healthcare, so we decided to start Lynqo. Shortly after that we were joined by Felix De Colvenaer, who completes our team with his R&D expertise. 

Our mission is to reduce the workload on hospital staff, cut costs, and increase sustainability by reducing waste. Our system will be implemented in both the operating room and the sterilisation department, making it possible to track surgical tools across their entire usage flow. This reduces the loss of instruments and increases patient safety. 

How did Lynqo become involved in the Circular Kickstart Healthcare Challenge? 

Our first experience with the Circular Kickstart was attending one of their workshops on financing your start-up. When we heard about the Healthcare Challenge, we knew it was the perfect fit for us.  

What value has the programme brought to Lynqo so far? 

Even though it's only just started, we’ve already seen significant value. The biggest benefit so far has been connecting with AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges, a key partner that is allowing us to test our solution. We pitched our idea during the launch event, which led to this partnership. It’s given us early insights into how hospitals differ. What works in one hospital might not work in another, so adapting our system is key. 

While we’re still at the beginning, we’re excited to dive deeper into circularity - how we can apply these principles not just in our product but in our business model as well. We’re hoping the programme will help us explore the possibilities of a “product-as-a-service” model. 

What are your expectations for the rest of the programme? 

Our main focus is to test our system in different hospitals and show how it can improve efficiency and reduce waste. By the end of the programme, we hope to secure letters of intent from several hospitals, which will show their interest in using our solution. This will help us attract investors and scale our business. 

We’re also looking forward to the branding workshops. Since hospitals are our key market, we need to fine-tune how we present ourselves to ensure our message connects with them. 

How does Lynqo plan to impact healthcare in the long term? 

Long-term, we want to show that sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand in healthcare. Our system helps hospitals cut both costs and waste, making it an attractive option for improving operations. We’re also aiming to shift toward a circular business model, where we maintain and upgrade our equipment to extend its life and reduce its environmental impact even further. 

Ultimately, we want to prove that circularity isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a practical, effective solution that benefits both hospitals and the planet. 

Any advice for startups thinking of joining the Circular Kickstart? 

Don’t hesitate – jump in! The Circular Kickstart is the ideal way to build meaningful connections and refine your vision. Whether you’re in healthcare or another industry, the Circular Kickstart equips you with the tools and network to make a real impact. Be open to feedback, stay adaptable, and think big about how circularity can enhance your solution. It’s a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and position yourself as a pioneer in sustainable innovation.