Startup Of the Week: Sierra Medical

In this edition, we present Sierra Medical, an innovative company focusing on spectral analytics, using advanced technology to simplify data analysis in various industries, including healthcare, biotech, and manufacturing. Their cloud-based platform offers real-time decisions without requiring expert analysts. Their flagship product, AIR-DS, is designed for early disease detection, with a future product, SpectrOS, aimed at enhancing lab analysis for biomarkers and chemical composition. Their technology automatically classifies complex spectral data, making it accessible for non-specialists.

Tell us about your company.

Dr. Liberty Foreman: Sierra Medical is pioneering AI-driven infrared spectroscopy for early and accurate disease detection. Our flagship product, AIR-DS Lung, is designed to transform lung cancer diagnostics by providing a fast, non-invasive, and scalable screening tool. We believe that leveraging advanced spectroscopy with AI can revolutionise healthcare, enabling earlier intervention and better patient outcomes.

What made you become an entrepreneur?

Dr. Liberty Foreman: As cheesy as it sounds, I think I was destined to be an entrepreneur. I’ve always been drawn to solving problems, especially those that have the potential to create real impact. The challenge of building something new—whether it’s a product, a business model, or a route to market—excites me. For me, it started at about 11, when I dreamt of being an inventor living in a shed in my back garden (!), and has evolved into transforming healthcare. That drive to create and push boundaries has only grown stronger over the years.

What is the most challenging part of running your own startup?

Dr. Liberty Foreman: Riding the highs and lows. Everyone knows that running a start-up is like a rollercoaster—the ups are exhilarating, and the downs can be brutal. But I think we sometimes make it even harder for ourselves. Because we know the lows can be really tough, we almost exaggerate the highs, making the contrast feel even sharper. Managing that emotional delta and maintaining perspective through it all is one of the biggest challenges.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced when looking for funding?

Dr. Liberty Foreman: It’s hard to choose between getting the right investors’ attention and curating the ask for each investor. Raising funds isn’t just about having a great team or even technology—it’s about positioning the package in a way that resonates with the right people. We put a lot of effort into understanding each investor’s interests, not just in terms of technology but also in terms of the quantum of the raise and their strategic goals. Tailoring our pitch to align with their expectations while staying true to our vision is a constant balancing act.

What is the most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship?

Dr. Liberty Foreman: Seeing an invention come to life. I’ve been working on translating infrared spectroscopy into the clinic for about ten years now. What started as an embryonic academic project during my PhD has evolved through industrial clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and now, a product launch. Watching that progression—from an idea in a lab to something that has the potential to change lives—is incredibly rewarding. It’s what makes all the challenges worth it.

Learn more about the company: https://www.sierramedical.co.uk