Mexico City-based medical equipment provider Medu raised $4 million as it expands to the U.S., CEO Tamara Chayo tells Axios exclusively.

Why it matters: With pandemic-era supply chain shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) mostly resolved, Medu aims to prevent a future disaster and curb waste with its reusable garments.

Deal details: MaC Venture Capital led the round. Halcyon Fund and individual backer Ryan Shea participated.

How it works: Medu's garments are embedded with near-field communication (NFC) technology — the same kind of short-range wireless tech used to authenticate credit cards.

What's next: Medu is pursuing FDA approval as a Class II medical device and aims to partner with 15 hospitals across the U.S. by year's end.

The backstory: Chayo, who has family in the medical and textile industries, watched as relatives in frontline care rushed to their jobs in trash bags at the height of the pandemic.

State of play: The PPE shortages that plagued healthcare systems throughout the pandemic demonstrated a need for innovation in the medical garment sector — and a number of startups stepped up to the plate. For example:

Yes, and: Medu could be an acquisition target for large medical supply incumbents such as 3M and Honeywell, says MaC Venture managing partner Michael Palank.

The intrigue: Palank sees gowns as a kind of Trojan horse for Medu, whose deeper potential may lie in its ability to get its software into hospitals.