StartupsNov 4, 2026, 6:31 AM UTC·2 min read

BionicM raises ¥710 million in Series B to launch ASISTA in US

Tokyo-born prosthetics startup BionicM has closed the first round of its Series B at ¥710 million and plans to bring its powered ASISTA knee to the US in 2027.

A powered prosthetic knee joint with robotic actuation designed to assist bending and extending while walking. — Image: BRIDGE

SUMO

Dialo

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BionicM, a Japanese developer of robotic powered prosthetics, announced on November 2 that it has completed the first closing of its Series B round, raising a total of ¥710 million. The figure includes funds previously raised through J-KISS convertible equity.

The main investors are B Dash Ventures and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, joined by overseas and individual investors. With this round, the company's combined funding from equity and grants has reached ¥2.58 billion. The money will go toward building out production and strengthening marketing and sales in the United States, where the new ASISTA product is due to launch in 2027.

What ASISTA does

ASISTA is a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint (MPK). Conventional MPKs mostly rely on passive control, using braking to restrain movement. ASISTA instead uses the company's own actuation technology and control algorithms to assist both bending and extending of the knee.

It is designed to reduce the effort needed not only on level ground but also on stairs and slopes, and when standing up or sitting down. BionicM says it will be the first electromechanical product in the US MPK market to offer flexion and extension assist.

Why the US

According to the company, demand in the US is rising for prosthetics that actively help movement rather than merely support the body, driven by a growing number of diabetes patients and an ageing population of prosthesis users. Yet only three companies worldwide, BionicM included, have commercialized powered prosthetics, so most users still wear conventional devices.

BionicM was founded on research from the University of Tokyo and applies humanoid robot technology to its products. Its powered Bio Leg is registered with the US Food and Drug Administration as a Class II medical device and has won US health insurance coverage approval. The company opened a US base in 2024 and has been building its local sales network since.