UTokyo IPC Invests in Instalimb Inc.

UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC; President & CEO: Kosuke Ueda) announced today that its Accelerating Open Innovation 1 Investment Limited Partnership (AOI Fund I) has invested in Instalimb Inc. (Instalimb; CEO: Yutaka Tokushima), a Tokyo-based medtech startup specializing in the development of affordable prosthetics using 3D printing and AI technology. Instalimb operates across Japan, India, and the Philippines, addressing the global need for accessible, high-quality prosthetic limbs.

This investment is part of a Series B extension round jointly funded by eight other domestic and international investors, including JIC Venture Growth Investments Co., Ltd., Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd., IT-Farm Corporation, MIRAISOZO INVESTMENTS Inc., Shinkin Capital Co.,Ltd., Rebright Partners Pte Ltd., Darwin Venture Management Corporation, and Kyocera Venture Fund.​

 

Addressing the Needs of 40 Million People Awaiting Prosthetics Worldwide

More than 80% of lower-limb amputations are attributed to diabetes-related vascular diseases, particularly in developing countries where regular health checkups are limited. The number of diabetic patients is projected to reach 780 million by 2045, with over 90% expected to reside in emerging and developing economies. Yet access to essential medications and assistive technologies remains insufficient.

Moreover, conventional prosthetic limbs are handcrafted by trained professionals, making production slow and costly—especially in countries where trained prosthetists are scarce. An estimated 40 million people globally are unable to afford or access prosthetic limbs, often leading to social exclusion and reduced employment opportunities.

 

Digitizing Prosthetic Manufacturing and Expanding Access Tenfold

Instalimb is tackling these issues head-on by digitizing the production of prosthetics. By integrating 3D printing with AI-powered design optimization, the company has increased the output per prosthetist by over tenfold. Instalimb’s vision is clear: “a world where everyone in need can access high-quality prosthetics.”

To date, the company has manufactured and delivered over 5,000 prosthetic limbs in India and the Philippines. Its solutions have been adopted by nine public and private organizations across those regions. With manufacturing facilities for both 3D printers and filament materials in India, the company is now expanding its licensing model globally.

 

UTokyo IPC’s Continued Commitment to Global Social Impact

Instalimb was selected for UTokyo IPC’s original entrepreneurship support program—predecessor to “1stRound”—in 2019. This follow-on investment reflects the company’s strong alignment with the fund’s goal of solving deep social challenges through innovation and academic collaboration.

UTokyo IPC will continue to support Instalimb’s plans for simultaneous multi-country expansion, including Indonesia, Ukraine, and Nigeria, where demand for accessible prosthetics is particularly acute.

“We are excited to support Instalimb in its mission to revolutionize prosthetic manufacturing by leveraging cutting-edge 3D printing and AI technologies,” said Nako Kawashima, Investment Manager at UTokyo IPC. “This investment aligns with our commitment to fostering innovative solutions that address pressing global health challenges, and we look forward to Instalimb’s impact in improving the quality of life for amputees worldwide.”​

 

AOI Fund I: Accelerating Open Innovation in Japan

Launched in 2020, AOI Fund I was established with the objective of fostering open innovation activities around the University of Tokyo. The fund operates under the concept of “nurturing and investing in startups through corporate-academia collaboration.” By supporting the formation of new ventures in collaboration with industry leaders, investing in corporate spin-outs, and facilitating the effective utilization of corporate assets, AOI Fund I seeks to create successful case studies of open innovation across diverse industries.

 

Sources：

• Instalimb Patient Data – Based on internal patient data collected by Instalimb Solutions Philippines, indicating that over 80% of lower-limb amputations stem from diabetes-related vascular conditions.

 

• International Diabetes Federation (IDF) – Diabetes prevalence projections sourced from IDF Diabetes Atlas 2021. https://diabetesatlas.org

 

• Amputation Statistics – Global estimates derived from:
  McDonald CL, Westcott-McCoy S, Weaver MR, Haagsma J, Kartin D. Global prevalence of traumatic non-fatal major limb amputation. Prosthet Orthot Int. Submitted March 2020.

 

• Access to Assistive Technology – United Nations report on assistive technology access rates.
  https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology

 

• Prosthetic Demand Estimate – Calculation of the global prosthetic need based on Stanford University lecture materials (Maurice LeBlanc, 2011):
  70% of 65 million limb amputees estimated to require prosthetic limbs.
  https://web.stanford.edu/class/engr110/2011/lecture03a.html

 

 

About Instalimb Inc.

Business: Development, manufacturing, and sales of 3D-printed prosthetic limbs and production equipment
Headquarters: 1-16-3 Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Yutaka Tokushima
Website: https://www.instalimb.com

 

Contact

UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd.
Entrepreneur Lab 261, South Research Building, The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL: +81-3-3830-0200 / FAX: +81-3-3830-0183
Email: info2@utokyo-ipc.co.jp
Contact: Nako Kawashima