San Diego Startup, LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. Captures Investment of $388K

“Business, financial, and pitch advising from SBDC staff was critical for our success in raising funding.” — Dr. Joshua Pelz, LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

San Diego startup company, LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc., was founded by Drs. Joshua Pelz, Luca de Vivo Nicoloso and Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist Herb Barrack. Pelz and de Vivo Nicoloso were pursuing their doctorates in their prospective engineering fields at UC San Diego when they started LIMBER as a class project for a structural engineering class.

LIMBER gives prosthetists the tools to efficiently create comfortable prosthetic limbs, through their digital workflow and advanced manufacturing. Their prosthetic devices can be tailored specifically to each individual’s needs, through scanning the amputee’s limb and then manufacturing a personalized prosthetic through the use of 3D printers. 

LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics originally became involved with The Brink SBDC through the fifth San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC V) this past spring. Dr. Pelz was advised by Brink SBDC advisor Jonathan Irwin. The Brink SBDC helped Dr. Pelz to overcome challenges associated with his pitch deck, narrative, and emotional connection while presenting. Dr. Pelz felt that the most important part of the technical assistance he received was the connection to capital, and that The Brink SBDC’s support had a positive impact on the company’s ability to secure angel investment.

LIMBER was the winner of SDAC V, where the company captured an investment of $388K. Upon receiving the funding at SDAC V, Dr. Pelz said, “What an honor to present alongside the other finalists today and be selected to receive funding from the San Diego Angel Conference. This seed funding will enable us to move our product development forward. The Angel Conference also provided us with invaluable mentoring and lessons on how to effectively communicate with angel investors, complete the due diligence process, and build a strong network of mentors, investors, and peers.”

Company founders Drs. Pelz and De Vivo Nicoloso were originally inspired to start this business to help all amputees get back on their feet with dignity through accessible prosthetic care. Out of all the people in need of prosthetic and orthotic devices, only 10% have access. This is mainly due to limited access to skilled physicians, which leads to millions of people being denied the basic quality of life they deserve. 

“Our mission is to provide prosthetic and orthotic devices to the nine out of ten people who are left behind,” says Dr. Joshua Pelz.

LIMBER’s prosthetic device is called the UniLeg. Their goal is to provide for those who cannot otherwise access prosthetic devices, and they have made significant progress. To date, LIMBER has served 30 patients and three countries, the U.S., Mexico, and Ukraine. The longest user is in Mexico, which has been using the UniLeg for more than 15 months.

When describing the impact of their recent work for Ukrainian Heroes, LIMBER states, “The patients were able to walk within minutes of getting fitted with their UniLegs and many of them continue to use them daily. The LIMBER UniLeg has been the difference for many of these amputees between a wheelchair and getting back on their feet.”

With the funds raised, LIMBER plans to prepare for FDA registration and initial patient trials.