As the world's population ages in coming years, growing numbers are likely to be challenged by disabilities that impair their movements.
Jeremiah Robison got a close-up view of such challenges raising a daughter with cerebral palsy. Robison was determined to do something about such problems, figuring that advances in sensors and machine learning could be used to help give greater mobility to those with disabilities.
So he founded Cionic Inc. in 2018 to work on solutions. The San Francisco startup has since developed a flexible sleeve that fits over users' legs, precisely measures the patterns of their muscle movements and helps stimulate particular ones in real time to help them better move around, according to the company. The company received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its so-called Neural Sleeve earlier this year, it said.
"It's time to bring technological innovation to this growing problem" of movement disability, Robison, Cionic's CEO, said in a news release.
The company received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its so-called Neural Sleeve earlier this year, it said. The startup believes the device will be helpful for those with mobility impairments such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy and those who have suffered strokes.
Cionic has some new capital to conduct research trials and hire more engineering, operations and marketing personnel. It announced Wednesday it's raised $12.5 million in a Series A round led by San Mateo's BlueRun Ventures.
Read on for more on Cionic's new deal and other Series A rounds from this past week:
Sudo Biosciences Inc., Menlo Park, $37 million: Frazier Life Sciences and Velosity Capital led the round for for this developer of treatments for autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis, lupus, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Coalesce Automation Inc. (dba Coalesce.io), San Francisco, $26 million: Emergence Capital led the round for this provider of software that helps organizations organize and analyze their data. 11.2 Capital, GreatPoint Ventures and Industry Ventures also invested.
Sinai Technologies Inc., San Francisco, $22 million: Energize Ventures led the round for this provider of software used to help companies measure, monitor, forecast, price and reduce their carbon emissions. Stardust Equity, HighSage and insiders Obvious Ventures, Valo Ventures, Afore and High Alpha also invested.
Nypit Inc. (dba Everest Labs), Fremont, $16.1 million: Translink Capital led the round for this developer of robots and software used to sort recyclable waste. NEC Orchestrating Future Fund, BGV, Sierra Ventures, Morado Ventures and Xplorer Capital also invested.
Invisible AI Inc., Palo Alto, $15 million: Van Tuyl Companies led the round for this developer of computer vision technology for use in manufacturing. FM Capital, 8VC, Sierra Ventures, K9 Ventures and Vest Coast Capital also invested.
Jeli Inc., San Francisco, $15 million: Addition led the round for this provider of software that helps companies troubleshoot bugs or problems with their computer systems. Boldstart Ventures, Heavybit and Harrison Metal also invested.
Cionic Inc., San Francisco, $12.5 million: BlueRun Ventures led the round for this developer of a wearable walking assistance device. Caffeinated Capital, EPIC Ventures, JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund and LDV Capital also participated.
API Market Inc. (dba Aikon), San Francisco, $10 million: Morgan Creek Digital led the round for this developer of blockchain identity and wallet software. Blizzard the Avalanche Fund, Up2 Opportunity Fund, Hestia Investments, Yugen Partners, Mighty Capital, Alpha Edison and Think+ Ventures also invested.
Sylvatex Inc., Alameda, $8.4 million: Catalus Capital led the round for this developer of a more efficient and ecologically friendly process for making cathodes for batteries. Amplify Capital and How Women Invest also participated.
Femtosense Inc., San Bruno, $8 million: Fine Structures Ventures led the round for this developer of chips designed to efficiently process natural language and computer vision models and cancel out ambient noise. J2 Ventures, Quest Venture Partners, Amino Capital, Sand Hill Angels, Gaingels and SV Pacific Ventures also invested.
