About us

Anitomical is a SaaS startup in the digitalization of animal anatomy. Our company was founded on the knowledge that the methods to convey anatomical knowledge in biology education and research have remained virtually unchanged for years.

Researchers, teachers and students rely heavily on animal dissection, plastinates, textbooks with 2D anatomical illustrations and physical models. More recent innovations are 3D scanning and 3D modeling - a technique that makes anatomy highly accessible by offering complete, lifelike anatomical 3D visualization. 3D modeling therefore has the potential to revolutionize the field of biology.

In recent years, great advances have been made in digital 3D models of human anatomy to supplement or replace the use of human cadavers in education and research. All efforts are now focused on creating digital 3D models of human anatomy with VR, XR and AR applications – while there is a large and growing demand for scientifically correct anatomical 3D models of animals.

Digital anatomical 3D models of animals are of crucial importance for biology students who try to understand the basic principles of life and for researchers in the life sciences who want to improve their research and reduce the use of laboratory animals.

Anitomical was founded in 2024 by Mieke Roth (CEO) and Paul Schilperoord (COO), and builds on Mieke's expertise. Mieke grew up with technical entrepreneurship - her father developed the first Dutch PC, the Aster CT-80. She obtained an MSc in Animal Sciences at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and worked her way up from IT professional to Information Architect at ABN AMRO. From this background, she specialized in technical illustration and 3D modeling of animal anatomy. She has been doing this for universities, research institutes, and museums worldwide since 2012.

The professional relationship between Mieke and Paul goes back to 2004, when they both worked for the trade magazines De Ingenieur and Natuur & Techniek. Paul studied Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design. From this background, he started working as a technical and scientific journalist, wrote several books, and specialized further in B2B content marketing for international companies and organizations such as Mammoet and DLR. In 2013, he founded the startup Studio Zink, specialized in unique design projects such as the development of custom espresso machines for the Italian company La Marzocco.

Mieke and Paul have a strong background in entrepreneurship and product development and a strong international network. Since 2023, they have been working together with Joris M. Koene, associate professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), who has joined Anitomical as a scientific advisor and brings additional scientific knowledge and networks. This creates a strong team to put Anitomical on the map professionally worldwide.

Anitomical is developing a SaaS application that we will launch together with a series of scientifically accurate digital 3D anatomical models of animals. To create these 3D models, Anitomical builds on the unique expertise of our CEO Mieke Roth. She has the knowledge and skills to connect a large amount of anatomical data from all possible sources, supplement it with missing data, and process it into an accurate 3D model.

Mieke uses animal material, 3D scans, scientific literature and anatomical expertise to create the 3D models using the latest software and techniques. All our 3D models follow a meticulous review process by our worldwide network of experts to ensure that they are scientifically accurate. Our reviewers are all specialists in their field.

Anitomical aims to contribute to and promote scientific research and education, make anatomy more insightful and efficient, increase enthusiasm in the field of biology, and reduce animal use by offering more humane alternatives. Our market includes universities, schools, research institutes and museums.