Open Bionics named sixth most innovative company in Europe
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Open Bionics, a start-up that developed in Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), has been named in a prestigious annual list of the world's most innovative companies for 2019.
The list, published by American business magazine Fast Company, honours the companies making the most profound impact on both industry and culture. Half of the businesses on this year's list of 50 innovative organisations are appearing for the first time. Open Bionics has been ranked sixth in the list's Europe category.
The company creates advanced multi-grip bionic hands called 'Hero Arms' for amputees. It uses 3D technologies such as 3D scanning and 3D printing to radically reduce costs.
Samantha Payne, Open Bionics' co-founder and COO, said: “We're thrilled to be recognised by Fast Company as a business changing an industry. We're excited to be named one of the best in Europe and are very excited to launch in the US this year.”
This year, Fast Company's editors and writers sought out groundbreaking businesses across 35 industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process. The magazine says the list provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
Samantha Payne and Joel Gibbard, named by The Europas startup awards as the 'hottest founders' in Europe, founded 'tech for good' company Open Bionics in 2014. The multi award-winning business developed its technology at BRL's Hardware Incubator before relocating to the neighbouring Future Space innovation centre at the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus.
The recognition for Open Bionics from Fast Company comes one month after the company received a £4.6 million investment deal from backers including Formula 1's Williams.
Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies issue (March-April 2019) is now available online here.
