ASEF Podcast (SLO): Jakob Šušterič on MESI: Innovating Healthcare with IoT and Smart Diagnostics [Episode #49]
In this episode of the ASEF Podcast, med-tech entrepreneur and co-founder of MESI Jakob Šušterič joins host Luka Petravić for a conversation about entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and the intersection of IoT with medical devices.
He begins by sharing the story of how the idea for MESI first emerged during his studies at the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Electrical Engineering. What started as a student project during an analog circuit design competition eventually evolved into a startup founded in 2010 within the supportive environment of the Ljubljana University Incubator.
In the discussion, he reflects on the early Slovenian startup ecosystem and the challenges students face when trying to turn academic ideas into real companies. The conversation also explores how European universities often lack mechanisms to support commercialization of student innovations, unlike many U.S. institutions where universities frequently become partners in successful spin-offs.
A key part of the episode focuses on the healthcare challenge that inspired MESI’s first device: earlier detection of peripheral artery disease. He explains how the company redesigned the diagnostic process and reduced the time needed to measure the ankle-brachial index from about twenty minutes to roughly one minute, enabling faster screening for a condition that often progresses silently.
We also dive into how concepts from consumer electronics influenced the design of MESI’s medical devices. Wireless connectivity, cloud infrastructure, and over-the-air firmware updates are integrated into their solutions—features that are still uncommon in traditional medical systems. These technologies form part of a broader digital ecosystem including mTABLET, mRECORDS, and mCONNECT.
The episode further explores the complex regulatory environment surrounding medical devices in Europe, including certification processes, quality management standards, and the role of organizations such as SIQ. The discussion highlights the importance of cybersecurity and data protection when developing connected healthcare technologies.
The episode concludes with reflections on building interdisciplinary teams in health technology and scaling a company to more than 100 employees, as well as the opportunities for new healthcare startups emerging from Slovenia’s growing innovation ecosystem.