Visionary CEO Profile - One Year at the Helm: Ronen Castro’s Vision for the Future of Retinal Surgery

When Ronen Castro reflects on his first year as CEO of AcuSurgical, one theme stands out: bringing a robotic system to market is a constant challenge, where adaptability and resilience remain essential to progress. An experienced leader in medtech, Ronen has spent nearly three decades guiding innovative companies through complex challenges. Much like in sailing, success in medtech requires foresight, discipline, and the ability to navigate through uncertainty - qualities that Ronen brings to AcuSurgical.

As he marks his first anniversary at the helm, he shares insights into the milestones, challenges, and ambitions shaping the future of retinal surgery.

A Journey Forged in Medtech

Nearly three decades ago, just as he was completing his MBA, Ronen Castro was recruited by one of Israel’s first medical device companies, a pioneer in surgical endoscopy. The role opened his eyes to the transformative potential of technology in healthcare. “That experience sparked a deep passion for medical technology, and I’ve been dedicated to this field ever since,” he recalls.

Over time, he advanced through positions in sales, marketing, and business development, before taking on CEO roles for the past 16 years. His career has consistently centered on surgery, ophthalmology, and robotics - fields where breakthrough innovation can directly impact patients’ lives. Today, alongside leading AcuSurgical, he also serves as a director in two companies and mentors younger CEOs, which he describes as very rewarding.

Drawn to Ophthalmic Robotics

Ronen’s interest in ophthalmic robotics dates back for years. Having witnessed the early evolution of laparoscopic and orthopedic robotics, he became convinced that eye surgery was a field where robotics could bring extraordinary value - offering precision, stability, and control beyond human limits.

"When I visited AcuSurgical in Montpellier, the decision to join became clear. I was genuinely excited by how much the team had already accomplished. With my background in both robotics and ophthalmology, I immediately connected with the philosophy behind the platform: versatile, scalable, and designed to truly transform surgery.”

For Ronen, career choices have always been guided by a taste for challenges and true innovation. “I’ve always been drawn to big challenges. Throughout my career, I’ve never worked with ‘me-too’ or generic products - I’ve sought out real innovation and the excitement of bringing entirely new technologies to market”.

“Taking the helm at AcuSurgical felt like the natural next step. Here was a chance to take a groundbreaking technological platform into a blue ocean market - combining everything I enjoy most: cutting-edge technology and go-to-market strategy. Looking back, I’m very glad I made the move.”

Leading with Intuition and Vision

Building surgical robots is one of the most demanding challenges in medtech. It requires years of development, strict clinical validation, significant investment, and ultimately, the trust of surgeons who must integrate the technology into their practice. For Ronen, the key lesson from his career is that innovation alone is never enough.

“A product can be extremely advanced and impressive, but in robotics it starts with intuitiveness. Surgeons are extremely busy - they don’t have time to struggle with a new technology. When they sit behind the console, it must feel natural, familiar, and give them immediate confidence. Only then does the robot truly augment their capabilities.”

This principle guides AcuSurgical’s strategy. “Everything starts with deeply understanding unmet needs and translating them into a clear value proposition. At AcuSurgical, this principle drives everything we do. Our ultimate goal is simple: when a surgeon first sits down and operates with our robot, they should say ‘wow.’ If we achieve that, the rest will follow.”

That focus on intuitiveness and real-world clinical value also shapes Ronen’s broader vision: setting a new standard for how retinal surgery could be performed, and building the culture and company strong enough to make it happen.

Shaping the Future of Retinal Surgery

“At first, the vision was quite simple - be the first to bring a robotic system to vitreoretinal surgery. But I also knew something fundamental about robotics: it’s a 1 or 0 game. Either you succeed, or you don’t. There’s no room for ‘mediocre’ in surgical robotics.”

Instead, his ambition quickly grew into something larger: building not only a pioneering product, but also a world-class company. “It became about creating solutions that surgeons genuinely want to use. Thankfully, AcuSurgical already had the right ingredients: an exceptional team, supportive investors, and a strong innovation ecosystem. With that foundation, the focus now is clear: execution.”

 Over the past year, that vision has evolved further through constant dialogue with surgeons. “We became very clear about what truly differentiates us: reducing complexity and enabling access to procedures that were previously impossible. Today, it’s not only about treating patients - it’s about empowering surgeons to cure chronic ophthalmic diseases and, ultimately, restore vision.”

Turning vision into reality, however, also depends on how the team is led. For Ronen, leadership is about balance: ambition with pragmatism, freedom with accountability. “Innovation only happens when people feel ownership and the freedom to try. My role is to make sure they have the right tools and context to succeed.”

That philosophy is reflected in the culture of AcuSurgical itself. The company brings together experienced professionals and younger talent, all united by the same drive to innovate. It’s also a team with a distinctly sporty spirit. “Many of us are passionate about running, climbing, biking, football, surfing—and true to French culture, we also enjoy good food and wine together. It’s a balance of working hard, pushing limits, and enjoying life as a team.”

For Ronen, that culture is just as important as the technology. It’s what allows the company to move fast, stay capital-efficient, and remain resilient in the face of the many challenges that come with building a surgical robot.

Reflections on the First Year

The first year was marked by decisive progress: a clear long-term strategy, new talent, fresh investor support - and a historic milestone. AcuSurgical successfully completed its first-in-human surgery, proving the feasibility and safety of robotic assistance in the delicate field of retinal surgery. This achievement not only validated years of development but also marked a turning point for the company and the entire discipline.

“These milestones have laid a strong foundation. Now we’re focused on delivering against the roadmap and continuing to build momentum.”

Above all, Ronen is proud of the collective achievements. “For a robotics company, we’re still relatively small, but what the team has achieved over the past year has been outstanding. Almost every week, we welcome ophthalmic surgeons to test our system, and it’s incredible to see how quickly the platform evolves based on their feedback. The best moment for me is watching a surgeon sit at the console, start operating, and genuinely enjoy the experience. When I see that satisfaction, I know we’re moving in the right direction.”

Retinal surgery is among the most demanding fields in medicine - requiring extreme precision, steadiness, and dexterity. Even small variations can affect outcomes, while some conditions remain untreatable with manual techniques. The steep learning curve also limits access to care worldwide.

Changing the standard of care, Ronen insists, means transformation rather than incremental gains. “It’s not just about making procedures slightly easier or faster; it’s about creating new possibilities that weren’t achievable before. I see AcuSurgical playing a transformative role by closing the loop between surgeon, technology, and data. Our platform is designed to make surgeries more data-driven, helping surgeons learn faster, reduce variability, and automate the most risky or tedious steps. That’s not just efficiency - it directly impacts patient outcomes and creates value for the healthcare system.”

Looking Ahead

Over the next three to five years, Ronen’s priority is clear: guide AcuSurgical through clinical and regulatory milestones to secure FDA and CE clearances. “These approvals will allow us to bring our technology to market in the US and EU, where we plan to establish centers of excellence that showcase the full potential of our platform.”

These centers will train surgeons, refine best practices, and demonstrate how robotics can transform ophthalmic surgery - accelerating adoption and expanding patient access.

Looking further ahead, Ronen sees a future where surgery is not only more precise but also data-driven. “Our platform is designed to help surgeons learn faster, reduce variability, and automate the most risky or tedious steps. That’s not just efficiency - it directly improves patient outcomes.”

Together We Move Forward

Ronen is quick to acknowledge that none of this progress happens in isolation. “As we look to the future, I want to sincerely thank our partners, clinical collaborators, and the entire AcuSurgical team. Every step we take - whether in the lab, the clinic, or through regulatory milestones - is made possible because of your dedication, passion, and teamwork.”

He remains energized by what lies ahead. “Together, we’re not just building a robotic platform—we’re helping surgeons do what wasn’t possible before and improving outcomes for patients who need it most. I feel lucky to work with such talented, committed people, and I’m confident that together we can make a real difference in retinal care.”

Steering Toward New Horizons

As he closes his first year at the helm, Ronen reflects with both pride and determination. His leadership has already helped AcuSurgical move from vision to execution, but he knows the journey is only beginning.

Much like navigating at sea, leading a pioneering medtech company means anticipating waves, adjusting course, and trusting the crew. With Ronen at the helm and a committed team on board, AcuSurgical is charting a course toward a new era in retinal surgery - where robotics will not just support surgeons, but expand what is possible for patients worldwide.