--Helping to achieve sustainable societies in which all people can lead affluent and fulfilling lives--
March 6, 2024 -- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Satoshi Horikiri), acquired a stake in Instalimb, Inc. (hereinafter, "Instalimb"), which is expanding its 3D-printed prosthetics business overseas in the Philippines, India and elsewhere, as an NX Global Innovation Fund investment on February 29, 2024.
■ Profile of Instalimb
Instalimb is a Japanese start-up whose vision is "Create a world where everyone in need can access high-quality prosthetic & orthotic devices". It develops new digital manufacturing solutions using 3D printing and AI technology and employs these to manufacture and sell 3D-printed prosthetic legs overseas at one-tenth the conventional price and with a shorter delivery time. The company began operating in the Philippines in 2019 and India in 2022, and has already received positive feedback from more than 2,500 users.
At a glance
- Company
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
- Announcement
- Acquisition
Key figures
- Users who have provided feedback
- more than 2,500
- Price compared with conventional prosthetics
- one-tenth the conventional price
People
- Satoshi HorikiriPresident
Products and programs
■ Investment background and objectives
The NX Group is striving to enhance its corporate value and resolve social issues in order to realize the Group's long-term vision of becoming a logistics company with a strong presence in the global market.
Through this investment, the Group will be assisting Instalimb's business expansion from a logistics perspective and supporting the provision of prosthetic limbs in Asian countries such as the Philippines and India and, in future, emerging countries in Africa and other regions as well.
The NX Group will continue addressing social issues through business collaboration with startups in Japan and overseas to help bring about sustainable societies where all people can lead affluent and fulfilling lives.
■ Profile of investee company
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Questions around this news
What does Instalimb do?
Instalimb is a Japanese start-up that develops digital manufacturing solutions using 3D printing and artificial intelligence. It uses these technologies to make and sell prosthetic legs overseas. The company says its prosthetics cost less and can be delivered faster than conventional alternatives, and reports positive feedback from more than 2,500 users.
Where does Instalimb operate?
The release says Instalimb began operating in the Philippines in 2019 and in India in 2022. It identifies both countries as current areas of business expansion and says the company aims to support the provision of prosthetic limbs in those markets and, in the future, in emerging countries in Africa and other regions.
What kind of stake did NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS acquire in Instalimb?
The release states that NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS acquired a stake in Instalimb on February 29, 2024, through an investment by the NX Global Innovation Fund. It does not give the size or financial terms of the stake. The stated purpose includes supporting Instalimb’s business expansion from a logistics perspective.
How can 3D printing be used to make prosthetic limbs?
3D printing builds an object from a digital design by laying down material in successive layers. For prosthetics, digital design and manufacturing can help tailor components to an individual’s needs. The process may also support local or more flexible production, though the results depend on the design, materials, fitting process, and clinical oversight.
Earlier from NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS expands its e-NX Quote digital forwarding service to cover more countries and regions, and adds a CO2 emissions calculation function
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS re-identifies material issues
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS participates in 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE)
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS signs strategic partnership with US-based Cryoport
