Limbitless Solutions Inc. was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, who were featured in OBJ's April 29-May 5, 2022, weekly edition.
Orlando-based nonprofit Limbitless makes personalized bionic limbs for children, soon expanding its services to adults. Last year, Limbitless moved into a 6,000-square-foot space in Central Florida Research Park, tripling the size of its facility. In addition to being a Fire Awards honoree, Limbitless was named one of five 2022 Fire Awards Blazers for ranking No. 1 among honoree companies that are 8-10 years old.
Here's more from Limbitless Executive Director Albert Manero:
What was your company’s biggest accomplishment of 2021? The organization scaled up its facility by a factor of 3X, located in UCF's Research Park. The facilities growth comes to support the newly announced clinical partnership with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital, which will soon be providing the next generation of Limbitless' bionic arms to patients.
How did you get it done? Community and corporate partners' support was key to completing the capital funding and facility renovation, navigating new challenges due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic. Being adaptive to the constraints and keeping a firm view of the goal provided support through each challenge. Leadership from Orlando Health to establish the clinical trial played a major role.
How does your company stay innovative and on the cutting-edge? The new facility's advanced manufacturing lab is combining several production techniques, from 3D printing to vacuum forming and injection molding, to build towards the future of bionic limbs. Bringing together individuals from various disciplines, including engineering, game design, fine & digital arts, and beyond helps to drive that innovation and creativity. Partnerships across UCF, including the School of Visual Arts & Design as well as Games and Interactive Media have been key to bring together creative perspectives.
What strategies have you implemented to recruit and/or retain talent in a competitive labor market? Limbitless starts with the "why". For our team, we are all focused on driving forward the innovation that will provide children with opportunities for expressive, personalized prosthetics -- and remembering who we are working for.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry? Consistent quality in the experience whether via remote telehealth interaction of in-person.
What is your company’s top goal for 2022? Scaling the program with additional clinical trials is the key focus for 2022. We are excited to welcome new bionic kids to the program and hope to continue to leverage the new facility to grow the impact.
What is the local technology and innovation sector’s biggest obstacle to more growth? Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum and we must be mindful to drive collaboration.
Limbitless Solutions Inc.
- Top executives: Albert Manero, executive director; Elizabeth Klonoff, board of directors chair
- Year founded: 2014
- 2021 revenue: $1,005,835
- 2021 YOY revenue growth: 127%
- Number of Central Florida employees: Five full-time UCF staff, five affiliated faculty, 40 undergraduate student researchers/interns
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