Cionic

Cionic is a neurotechnology company focused on developing bionic clothing to assist individuals with mobility impairments. The company was founded in 2018 by Jeremiah Robison, a tech industry veteran with over two decades of experience at companies like Apple, Openwave, Slide, and Jawbone. Robison's motivation to start Cionic was deeply personal, stemming from his daughter's cerebral palsy diagnosis and the lack of effective technological solutions to improve her mobility. This personal connection drove the mission to create wearable technology that could significantly enhance freedom of movement.

The company operates in the therapeutic devices and neurotechnology markets, serving individuals with mobility challenges resulting from conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, cerebral palsy (CP), and spinal cord injuries. Cionic's primary product is the Neural Sleeve™, a leg-worn garment that received FDA clearance as a Class II medical device in March 2022. This milestone enabled the company to bring its flagship product to the U.S. market. The Neural Sleeve was recognized as one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2023.

The Neural Sleeve is a piece of bionic clothing that integrates the diagnostic capabilities of a gait lab with the therapeutic power of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). It is designed with a dense array of sensors that continuously monitor the firing of individual muscles and the position of the leg in real-time. Onboard algorithms analyze this data to predict the user's intended movement and then deliver precisely timed electrical stimulation to the major muscle groups in the leg, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calf, and shin muscles. This process facilitates proper muscle activation, helping to address issues like foot drop and improve gait stability. The system is adaptive, learning and adjusting with every step the user takes, and is controlled via a companion mobile app for iOS and Android.

Cionic's business model is subscription-based. Customers make an initial down payment, followed by monthly payments. The first year's subscription covers the hardware, personalized onboarding with a mobility specialist, replacement electrodes, and access to all software updates and new exercise programs. After the first year, the monthly subscription rate is reduced. The company has secured significant funding to support its growth, raising a total of $35.3M through several rounds, including a Series A led by BlueRun Ventures and an extension led by L Catterton. This capital is being used to scale manufacturing, expand commercialization, and fund further research and development.

Keywords: neurotechnology, bionic clothing, mobility assistance, functional electrical stimulation, FES, wearable technology, medical device, multiple sclerosis, stroke rehabilitation, cerebral palsy, gait analysis, neuromuscular disease, assistive technology, digital therapeutics, Jeremiah Robison, Neural Sleeve, electroceuticals, human augmentation, physical therapy tech, FDA cleared, adaptive algorithms, movement disorders, rehabilitation technology, biomechanics, neuro-rehabilitation