Ray Studios, a French medical-grade tattoo removal specialist, has successfully raised €10 million in a funding round spearheaded by Factory Capital. This funding, combined with prior support from existing investors like Nickleby Capital, signals a pivotal moment for the startup founded in 2021. It aims to scale its operations across Europe and firmly establish itself in the tattoo removal industry, which has been experiencing steady growth.
Their aspiration? Doubling their network size within two years while enhancing clinical methodology and leveraging proprietary technological tools. But how does this align with broader trends in the sector, and what can other entrepreneurs learn from Ray Studios’ journey?
Why Focus on Tattoo Removal Now?
The tattoo removal market has gained momentum, with an increasing number of individuals reconsidering their ink. Laser tattoo removal is growing at an annual rate of 12%, and Europe is becoming one of the hotbeds for this surge. The rising focus on professional-grade procedures and patient satisfaction has given startups like Ray Studios a clear competitive advantage. These companies integrate medical expertise and technology, setting themselves apart in a fragmented market often dominated by amateur operators.
Lessons From Ray Studios’ Model
Here’s how Ray Studios is carving out a leading role in the European tattoo removal industry, with takeaways for other founders:
1. Clear and Specialized Niche
Ray Studios focuses exclusively on medical-grade laser tattoo removal, ensuring treatments are handled only by certified doctors. Unlike general dermatology centers, this specialization attracts a well-defined audience of safety-conscious patrons willing to pay a premium for expertise. For entrepreneurs, this demonstrates the importance of creating a unique identity in a saturated market.
2. Proprietary Technology
At the heart of Ray Studios’ offering is their RsAP technology, combining clinical protocols, AI-driven tools for medical decision-making, and a mobile app for aftercare monitoring. Whether in healthcare or other sectors, investing in technology that improves user experience and operational efficiency is a winning strategy.
3. International Ambitions With a Local Focus
While many startups burn out by trying to expand globally overnight, Ray Studios has taken a staggered approach. Their European expansion strategy is informed by a detailed understanding of the target markets. Today, they operate in France, Spain, and Belgium, targeting culturally similar regions where healthcare regulations are manageable. For founders planning cross-border growth, this step-by-step strategy is worth considering.
4. Building Investor Confidence
Securing investments isn't just about having a good idea. It's about cultivating trust. Ray Studios achieved this by delivering strong growth metrics from earlier phases, which reassured both existing investors and attracted newcomers like Factory Capital. Having repeat investors is a hallmark of start-up success and highlights the importance of transparency, consistent communication, and delivering results early on.
5. Innovating Beyond Clinical Practices
The creation of Ray Studios’ tattoo removal app to guide patients post-treatment showcases their commitment to lifecycle customer engagement. The app monitors healing progress, reminding patients about care routines and deepening the trust factor. Entrepreneurs, take note: innovating goes beyond new products; enhancing the customer journey is equally critical.
Emerging Competitors and Context
Ray Studios isn’t operating in a vacuum. Other European startups within similar niches are attracting attention too. In the aesthetics and dermatology space, notable players such as Innerskin and M2care have collectively raised significant funding in 2025. These companies share a tech-reliant, patient-centered ethos similar to Ray Studios, which reaffirms the demand for innovation in niche healthcare services.
How to Build a Scalable Startup Like Ray Studios
If you’re plotting your own growth strategy, consider these critical steps:
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Identify Market Demand: Ray Studios picked up on a discernible trend where many individuals regretted their tattoos. Analyze your market thoroughly to uncover unmet needs that generate real demand.
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Build a Mooring Point: Just as Ray Studios developed their RsAP protocol, consider a unique concept that positions your business distinctly from the competition. Differentiate yourself initially on expertise, unique technology, or an unparalleled customer experience.
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Start Small, Then Scale: Validate the idea locally before expanding. Ray Studios excelled by growing its local presence in France before entering nearby markets such as Spain and Belgium. Start small and learn quickly before expanding.
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Invest in Long-Term Support Strategies: In health services, trust and care go a long way. Providing after-service solutions like Ray Studios’ app could be worth replicating.
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Surround Yourself With Investors Who Understand Your Vision: Fundraising isn’t just a transaction; it’s about building relationships. Showcase clear milestones, and connect with the right investors for long-term growth. Factory Capital’s involvement in Ray Studios was a vote of confidence in their scalable approach.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
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Expanding too Soon
It’s tempting to go big early, but scaling too rapidly can stretch resources, dilute expertise, and harm your market reputation. -
Ignoring Emerging Technologies
Ray Studios harnessed AI not just for customer convenience but also for clinical decision-making. Failing to adopt or develop relevant tools could leave businesses behind. -
Neglecting Reputation Management
In sensitive industries like tattoo removal, trust-building is non-negotiable. Make client safety and results high priorities from the start. -
Forgetting Aftercare
Customer interaction shouldn’t stop once you’ve delivered the primary product or service. Ongoing support builds loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing.
What This Means for Startups
This latest funding round underlines the growing strength of specialized healthcare and tech-driven companies in Europe. Entrepreneurs should pay close attention to how Ray Studios harmonizes technological tools, patient-centric services, and cross-border expansion. Other sectors could benefit from this adaptable model.
As a founder, don’t overlook the importance of combining local strategies with targeted growth. Even with the best tools, human-centric service is the differentiator that builds trust and long-term viability in any business.
Entrepreneurs, whether in healthcare or tech, have plenty to learn from Ray Studios. Their methodical approach, rooted in expertise and innovation, is proof that careful planning, strong execution, and adaptability can secure a dominant position in a growing market. Now is the time to rethink scalability and resilience in your own ventures.
FAQ
1. What is Ray Studios and what industry does it specialize in?
Ray Studios is a French medical-grade tattoo removal specialist founded in 2021. It focuses exclusively on doctor-led laser tattoo removal procedures using proprietary technology. Learn more about Ray Studios
2. How much funding did Ray Studios raise recently, and what was the purpose?
Ray Studios raised €10 million in a funding round led by Factory Capital. The goal is to double its network size within two years, enhance clinical methodology, and expand operations across Europe. Learn more about Ray Studios funding
3. What proprietary technology does Ray Studios use in its services?
Ray Studios employs RsAP technology, which combines clinical protocols, AI-driven decision-making tools, and a mobile app for post-treatment monitoring. This technology ensures safety and efficiency in tattoo removal procedures.
4. Which investors participated in Ray Studios' recent funding round?
The round was led by Factory Capital, with support from existing investors like Nickleby Capital and multiple international business angels focused on innovation. Read about Factory Capital's involvement
5. What is Ray Studios’ growth and expansion strategy?
The company plans a staggered European expansion, focusing on culturally similar countries with manageable healthcare regulations. It currently operates in France, Spain, and Belgium. Explore Ray Studios’ growth strategy
6. How does Ray Studios differentiate from competitors in the tattoo removal market?
Ray Studios specializes exclusively in medical-grade laser tattoo removal performed by certified doctors. This specialization attracts safety-conscious clientele in a fragmented sector.
7. What can entrepreneurs learn from Ray Studios’ success?
Key strategies include focusing on a specialized niche, developing proprietary technology, adopting a staggered international expansion plan, maintaining investor relationships through transparency, and innovating for customer engagement. Learn more about entrepreneurship lessons from Ray Studios
8. Who are Ray Studios’ competitors in the European aesthetics and dermatology space?
Emerging competitors include Innerskin (medical aesthetics network) and M2care (dermatology-focused healthtech projects), both of which secured significant funding in 2025. Discover Innerskin’s expansion | Explore M2care’s health projects
9. How has the tattoo removal market in Europe grown recently?
The market is expanding at an annual rate of 12%, driven by factors like increasing demand for professional-grade procedures and heightened focus on safety among consumers.
10. What does Ray Studios’ recent funding highlight about healthcare startups?
The funding emphasizes the growing importance of specialized, tech-enhanced healthcare services in Europe. It showcases how patient-centric innovation coupled with strategic scaling can transform niche markets. Read about healthcare innovation in Europe
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.