Ditto: The Dutch AI App Helping Patients Understand What Doctors Actually Said

The result is a searchable, easy‑to‑review record of a consultation that patients can revisit later, helping them follow instructions, remember key points, and discuss decisions with family members.

Founders and background

Most reporting identifies Tobias Polak, Bart Voorn, and Merlijn van Breugel as Ditto’s founders.

• Tobias Polak (CEO) previously worked in healthtech and clinical trials and holds a PhD in biostatistics.
• Bart Voorn has a background in AI and robotics R&D.
• Merlijn van Breugel has worked as a data scientist and AI researcher in healthcare.

Some coverage attributes the original idea to a personal experience: accompanying a seriously ill friend to an oncology consultation and realizing they left the appointment with very different understandings of what the doctor had said.

Early adoption and user growth

Ditto launched its app in the Netherlands in summer 2025.

Since then, adoption has grown quickly. Reports indicate the app has reached nearly 100,000 downloads since launch, showing strong early demand for tools that help patients understand medical information.

Healthcare organizations have also shown interest. The initiative has received support from the Dutch Patient Federation and recommendations from health insurer Menzis, helping introduce the app to a broader patient audience.

The €7.6M funding round

In 2026, Ditto raised €7.6 million in seed funding to expand its platform. The round was led by Heal Capital, with participation from Rubio Impact Ventures and Optiverder.

The investment is intended to support several goals:

• Expanding the app beyond the Netherlands
• Scaling its AI patient‑communication platform
• Developing new features that improve how patients capture and understand medical information

The company is targeting expansion into European markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

Why AI patient‑communication tools are gaining attention

Startups like Ditto are emerging as healthcare systems recognize a persistent communication gap between clinicians and patients. Consultations are short, medical language is complex, and patients often process information while stressed or in pain.

By converting consultations into structured summaries and plain‑language explanations, AI tools aim to give patients more control over their own medical information—and reduce misunderstandings about diagnoses, medications, or treatment plans.

If adoption continues to grow, platforms like Ditto could become a common companion to doctor visits, acting as a personal record and interpreter for healthcare conversations.