Revolutionizing Prosthetics: Symbionic's Mission to Make Bionic Arms Accessible

Symbionic is a Chennai-based assistive technology startup founded in 2019 by Rishi Krishna Iyer and Niranjan Kumar Raghupathi. The company aims to revolutionize the prosthetics industry by developing affordable, functional, and user-friendly bionic arms for upper-limb amputees in India.

The inception of Symbionic was deeply personal. In 2018, Rishi Krishna lost his right arm in a bus accident. Frustrated by the high cost and limited functionality of available prosthetics, he envisioned creating a solution that combined affordability with advanced technology. Joined by his childhood friend Niranjan, a mechanical engineer, they embarked on a mission to design prosthetic arms that restore not just mobility but also confidence and independence to users.

Symbionic's flagship product, Krea Adaptive, is a modular prosthetic arm designed for daily activities. It features interchangeable attachments tailored for tasks like riding, swimming, and gym workouts. The design emphasizes comfort, ease of use, and seamless integration with existing prosthetic socket systems. Additionally, the company is developing Titan, a next-generation bionic arm that utilizes electromyography (EMG) signals to mimic natural limb movements.

Symbionic gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 4. The founders sought ₹80 lakh for 2% equity. Impressed by their vision, Namita Thapar offered ₹40 lakh for 1% equity and ₹40 lakh as debt. Additionally, Jeet Adani extended a ₹1 crore grant to support their mission.

Symbionic's innovations have the potential to transform the lives of millions of amputees in India by providing accessible and functional prosthetic solutions. With the recent investments, the company plans to accelerate the development and distribution of its products, aiming to reach a wider audience and make advanced prosthetics more accessible to those in need.