Karl Storz

What Karl Storz does

Karl Storz is a family-owned German medical technology company founded in 1945 and headquartered in Tuttlingen, Germany, that designs, manufactures, and sells endoscopic visualization systems, minimally invasive surgical instruments, and integrated operating-room solutions. The company operates approximately 70 sites across 40 countries with 5,001-10,000 employees and offers more than 15,000 products spanning rigid and flexible endoscopes, video laryngoscopes, 3D exoscopes, electrosurgical units, and veterinary endoscopy across 11 medical specialties including ENT/otorhinolaryngology, urology, gynecology, general and visceral surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, pediatric surgery, bronchoscopy, arthroscopy and sports medicine, and airway management. Core technology platforms include the IMAGE1 S imaging system, the OR1 Integration Platform (now OR1 X Pro with NVIDIA GPU acceleration and AI-powered workflow automation), and the RUBINA near-infrared fluorescence imaging ecosystem.

The company generates revenue primarily through direct sale of capital equipment and surgical instruments to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices via direct sales subsidiaries, supplemented by recurring service contracts, equipment servicing plans, and exclusive or strategic distribution partnerships (Fujifilm Healthcare Americas for flexible GI endoscopes, Smith+Nephew for sports medicine and orthopedics, Womed SAS for the Womed Leaf adhesion barrier in the US, and a technology relationship with NVIDIA for OR1 GPU compute). In 2023-2025 Karl Storz executed a programmatic M&A strategy, acquiring AventaMed (ENT, Feb 2023), Innersight Labs (AI-based 3D surgical planning, Jan 2024), Asensus Surgical (robotic and digital laparoscopic platforms, Aug 2024), and two undisclosed targets in January 2025, while retiring the Asensus brand and Luna hardware in June 2026 to consolidate around a software-enabled, AI-featured OR ecosystem. The company is controlled by the Storz family, with Karl-Christian Storz serving as both CEO and Chair of the Supervisory Board, and does not publicly report financial results.

Name

Karl Storz

Legal name

KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG

Website

https://karlstorz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Karl Storz is a family-owned German medical technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells endoscopic visualization systems, minimally invasive surgical instruments, and integrated operating-room solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty clinicians across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgical Technology

NAICS

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Endoscopy Systems & Accessories (Scopes, Cameras, Light Sources, Insufflation) (HLAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surgical Visualization & OR Video Integration (4K/3D, Recording, Routing) (HLAHADAD), Open & Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments (Handheld, Laparoscopic, MIS) (HLAHADAA), Imaging Equipment & Accessories (X-ray, Ultrasound, Endoscopy) (HLAMAFAC), Advanced Endoscopy (ERCP/EUS/Interventional) (HLAKAEAC), Endoscopic Therapeutic & Access Devices (Trocars, dilators, biopsy/ablation tools) (HLAHADAN)

Keywords

• Endoscopic visualization systems
• Minimally invasive surgical technology
• Operating room integration solutions
• Rigid and flexible endoscopes
• Medical imaging platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Tuttlingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Device Hardware Sales: Karl Storz generates revenue primarily through the sale of endoscopic equipment, surgical instruments, visualization systems, and capital equipment for operating rooms. The company offers over 15,000 products across multiple medical specialties.
2. Service and Support: The company provides equipment servicing plans, repair services, and maintenance contracts to support its installed base of medical equipment in hospitals and surgical centers worldwide.
3. OR Integration Solutions: Integrated operating room solutions including the OR1 platform, providing workflow automation and visualization systems for surgical environments, sold as capital equipment and potentially as integrated systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Karl Storz manufactures and sells endoscopic equipment, surgical instruments, visualization systems, and integrated operating room solutions used in minimally invasive procedures across 11 medical specialties. Its offering spans rigid and flexible endoscopes, the IMAGE1 S imaging platform (with NIR fluorescence/Rubina technology), the OR1 integration platform (including OR1 X Pro with NVIDIA-powered AI workflow automation), the Rubina Lens digital exoscope, the Innersight3D AI 3D surgical planning software, video laryngoscopes, and veterinary endoscopy systems. The company also provides servicing, repair, and training programs for its global installed base.

Product overview

KARL STORZ is a MedTech company offering a comprehensive portfolio of endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical technology. The company's offerings span rigid and flexible endoscopes across medical specialties including ENT/Otorhinolaryngology, General and Visceral Surgery, Gynecology, Urology, Neurosurgery, Pediatric Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Bronchoscopy, Arthroscopy/Sports Medicine, and Airway Management. Core products include the IMAGE1 S imaging platform for visualization, the OR1 Integration Platform for operating room connectivity with AI-powered workflow automation (OR1 X Pro), and the Rubina Lens digital exoscope with 4K and NIR imaging capabilities. The company also offers specialized software like Innersight3D for AI-driven 3D surgical planning from medical scans, acquired devices such as the Solo+ TTD for ENT procedures, and veterinary-specific solutions. Karl Storz operates as a family-owned German company with global distribution and has pursued acquisitions to expand into surgical robotics and AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OR1: Integrated operating room solution platform featuring AI-powered workflow automation, 4K visualization, and OR integration technologies
• OR1 X Pro
• IMAGE1 S
• Rubina Lens
• Innersight3D
• VITOM 3D
• C-MAC
• TELE PACK+ VET
• AUTOCON III VET
• Solo+ TTD

Products and services

• Rigid Endoscopes Rigid endoscopic instruments used by surgeons in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for minimally invasive procedures across multiple medical specialties.
• Flexible Endoscopes Flexible endoscopic devices for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in gastroenterology and related applications.
• IMAGE1 S Imaging Platform Comprehensive endoscopic imaging platform providing visualization solutions for minimally invasive surgery, supporting NIR fluorescence imaging for tissue perfusion assessment.
• Rubina Lens Digital Exoscope FDA-cleared digital exoscope for open surgery that provides real-time 4K imaging and enables surgeons to switch between standard and near-infrared (NIR) imaging using indocyanine green for tissue perfusion assessment, lymphatic mapping, and breast surgery. Compatible with existing IMAGE1 S RUBINA imaging platforms.
• OR1 Integration Platform (including OR1 X Pro) Customizable integrated operating room system enabling seamless surgical workflows. The OR1 X Pro adds AI-powered workflow automation, 4K visualization, and NVIDIA high-performance GPU connectivity delivering up to 18,000 times the computing power of its predecessor.
• Innersight3D AI-based 3D modeling software that creates detailed 3D models from CT or MRI scans to improve surgical planning and reduce operation times for laparoscopic and robotic healthcare applications.
• Solo+ TTD ENT device for treating otitis media that allows a quick, single-step procedure intended for use in outpatient settings.
• C-MAC Video Laryngoscope Video laryngoscope system for airway management procedures, used by anesthesiologists and emergency airway providers.
• AUTOCON III VET Electrosurgical unit with vessel sealing for veterinary surgical applications.
• TELE PACK+ VET Veterinary medical documentation and communication system for endoscopy procedures.
• Veterinary Endoscopes Endoscopic solutions for veterinary medicine including small animals, large animals, and avian/exotic animals, plus OR1 veterinary integration.
• VITOM 3D 3D exoscopic visualization system for open and minimally invasive surgical procedures, supporting advanced visualization and case study applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• OR1 X Pro provides up to 18,000 times the computing power of its predecessor through NVIDIA GPU technology
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Womed SASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026Strategic distribution partnership under which Karl Storz serves as exclusive U.S. distributor of Womed Leaf, an FDA-approved resorbable adhesion barrier for treating intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome) following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. The partnership complements Karl Storz's existing hysteroscopy portfolio while giving Womed access to Karl Storz's established clinical network.
• Smith+NephewcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Strategic collaboration between Karl Storz North America and Smith+Nephew combining Karl Storz's advanced visualization, video management, and OR integration technologies with Smith+Nephew's sports medicine and orthopedic portfolio. The partnership aims to support hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, particularly multispecialty environments, by delivering integrated surgical solutions.
• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Technology partnership where NVIDIA provides high-performance GPU chips for Karl Storz's OR1 X Pro integrated operating room solution. The NVIDIA GPU offers up to 18,000 times the computing power of its predecessor, enabling AI-powered workflow automation in surgical environments.
• Fujifilm Healthcare AmericascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Strategic collaboration between Karl Storz and Fujifilm Healthcare Americas to promote flexible GI endoscopes and OR integration solutions. The partnership combines Karl Storz's visualization and OR integration technologies with Fujifilm's flexible endoscopy capabilities, aiming to deliver integrated endoscopy and surgery solutions to healthcare providers.
• Asensus SurgicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2024Karl Storz completed the acquisition of Asensus Surgical in August 2024 for $0.35 per share in cash (approximately $35 million). The acquisition enhances Karl Storz's portfolio and market presence in surgical robotics, particularly focusing on Asensus' Luna platform and digital laparoscopic technology. In June 2026, Karl Storz announced full integration of Asensus, retiring the Asensus brand and discontinuing Luna hardware while leveraging software engineering expertise and AI technologies.
• Innersight LabscoreTechnology or Integration · 10 January 2024Karl Storz acquired British AI software developer Innersight Labs, headquartered in London, to enhance its medical technology portfolio with AI capabilities. The acquisition aims to leverage Innersight's expertise in AI-based tools like Innersight3D, which creates detailed 3D models from CT or MRI scans to improve surgical planning and reduce operation times, advancing AI applications in laparoscopic and robotic healthcare technologies.
• MedtronicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Karl Storz and Medtronic to enhance ENT offerings. Medtronic received CE mark approval for its Stealth AXiS surgical system for ENT procedures and has established a collaboration with Karl Storz to integrate their respective technologies for ENT surgery applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Olympus: Olympus is the global market leader in endoscopy (especially flexible GI endoscopes) and a direct competitor to Karl Storz across ENT, urology, gynecology, and general surgery. Both sell visualization platforms, scopes, and OR integration, competing head-to-head for hospital capital equipment budgets.
• Fujifilm Healthcare: Fujifilm is a leading provider of flexible GI endoscopes and OR integration, competing directly with Karl Storz in gastroenterology. The two companies also have a strategic collaboration for flexible GI and OR integration, highlighting deep product overlap.
• Pentax Medical (HOYA): Pentax Medical (HOYA Corporation) is a direct competitor in flexible GI endoscopy and ENT endoscopy, offering comparable visualization platforms and scopes. Pentax is a meaningful alternative to Karl Storz in gastroenterology and ENT.

Broad incumbents

• Stryker: Stryker is a large diversified medtech incumbent with overlapping surgical visualization, arthroscopy/sports medicine endoscopy, and OR integration offerings. It competes with Karl Storz in arthroscopy, ENT, and integrated OR, and is significantly larger with broader capital and R&D resources.
• Medtronic: Medtronic competes with Karl Storz across ENT (Stealth navigation), surgical robotics (Hugo), and broader hospital solutions. It is also a Karl Storz partner for ENT integration, illustrating overlapping competitor/partner dynamics typical of large incumbents.
• Boston Scientific: Boston Scientific competes with Karl Storz in endoscopy-adjacent urology and gastroenterology, and has been expanding its single-use endoscope portfolio. As a much larger public medtech, it is a meaningful competitor in overlapping procedural specialties.
• Intuitive Surgical: Intuitive Surgical dominates surgical robotics (da Vinci) and increasingly integrates advanced visualization and AI. Karl Storz's discontinuation of Senhance/Luna after acquiring Asensus underscores Intuitive as the dominant player Karl Storz could not displace in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery.

Regional players

• Smith+Nephew: Smith+Nephew is a sports medicine and orthopedics incumbent that is also a Karl Storz distribution partner in North America. They overlap in arthroscopy/endoscopy for sports medicine but largely complement each other commercially in their partnership.

Emerging players

• CONMED: CONMED competes with Karl Storz in general surgery visualization, electrosurgery, and minimally invasive instruments, with growing overlap in integrated OR offerings. Smaller than Karl Storz but increasingly competitive in capital equipment.

Others

• Steris: Steris is a peer in operating room integration, sterile processing, and OR services—adjacent to Karl Storz's OR1 platform. While not a direct scope competitor, Steris competes for hospital OR capital and integration budgets and is a complementary/competing ecosystem player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLd331YH_xb-YcssLVdcvEQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KARLSTORZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karlstorz
• Xx.com/karlstorzuk

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A5 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Karl Storz