Superflex, a powered clothing company spun out of SRI International, raised a $9.6 million Series A round.
The round was led by Japanese venture firm Global Brain, marking their first lead investment in the U.S., with additional participation from seed investors Horizons Ventures and Root Ventures, and new investment from Sinovation Ventures. Zak Murase of Global Brain and Wendy Yu of Horizons will join Manish Kothari, president, SRI Ventures, and Rich Mahoney, CEO of Superflex, on the board.
Superflex hired a team of experts in textiles, industrial design, robotics, biomechanics and data science to develop “powered clothing,” connected apparel that can be worn under clothing.
Superflex technology was developed at SRI for a DARPA-funded program to reduce injury risk and enhance soldier endurance while carrying heavy loads. Recognizing its application beyond the military, Superflex spun out of SRI to explore the technology for consumer products. The company is initially focusing on the aging market because of its size and need.
In the coming months, the company will unveil a powered suit designed for those experiencing mobility difficulties later in life, or challenging work environments, to provide core wellness support for a wearer’s torso, hips and legs. Reacting to the body’s natural movements, the suit will provide power lift to naturally complement one’s strength during the act of standing up, sitting down or staying upright.
“We’ve looked at dozens of companies across the world for one that would truly stand to benefit the Japanese market, and this is the only one that has met our criteria,” said Yasuhiko Yurimoto, CEO of Global Brain. “Superflex’s new category of ‘powered clothing’ represents, in our view, the future of movement, with profound physical and emotional benefits to offer global society.”
In addition to its investment, Global Brain will work with Superflex to set up a Japan office and leverage its network to assist the company in entering the domestic market.
“Our origins are in robotics, our future is as an apparel company,” said Rich Mahoney, co-founder and CEO of Superflex, who previously served as the director of robotics at SRI International. “We’ll combine comfort and style with power assist for clothes that look good and help people feel good. Our powered clothing will give people the ability to move more freely, to gain strength and confidence, to be more injury-free in the workplace, to achieve higher levels of wellness and social engagement, and to stay in the home longer.”
Photo courtesy Superflex
