Koalaa
Koalaa is a London-based medical device company that designs and sells soft, fabric-based prosthetic arms with modular tool attachments for individuals with upper limb differences, serving children and adults globally through direct sales, clinical partnerships, and charitable programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Koalaa does
Koalaa is a London-based medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells soft fabric prosthetic arms for individuals with upper limb differences, including below-elbow, partial hand, partial finger, and wrist differences. Its product portfolio comprises three core prosthetic sleeves — ALX (below elbow), Paww (partial hand and finger), and Joeyy (babies and toddlers under 3 years) — built on a patented soft, flexible fabric socket that replaces the rigid construction of conventional prosthetics. A modular magnetic tool attachment system supports activity-specific configurations for cycling, writing, golf, music, and daily living. The company also operates Project Limitless, a charitable program that has provided free prosthetics to over 300 UK children under 18 through partnerships with Douglas Bader Foundation, Reach, Limbbo, and Limb Power.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct-to-consumer hardware sales (one-time purchases and 3- or 6-month installment plans), a hire/rental subscription model with an £80 deposit plus monthly payments, and add-on tool attachments. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but is positioned as "less than the price of a smartphone," materially undercutting traditional prosthetics. Go-to-market is community-led and sales-led, combining direct website sales with Limb Buddy peer support, clinician referrals via 20+ NHS and private clinic partnerships, charity referrals, and event-driven outreach including the DP World Tour and Camp No Limits in the US. The ALX and Paww are CE marked, and the company operates pilot programs in Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka via ATIF and AT2030 targeting low- and middle-income countries.
Founded in 2018 by Nate Macabuag and inspired by quadruple amputee Alex Lewis (co-creator of the ALX), Koalaa has raised approximately $1.34M in disclosed funding across a 2021 seed round (€145K from British Design Fund) and a 2024 seed extension ($1.2M co-led by British Design Fund and Imperial College Enterprise Fund II). The company employs 11–50 people, holds three pending patents covering soft fabric socket, 15-minute fitting, and day-one post-surgery fitting, and has received the Blackwood Design Award for Best New Accessible Technology (2022), the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition for founder Nate Macabuag.
Koalaa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Koalaa
- Legal name
- Koalaa Limited
- Website
- https://yourkoalaa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Koalaa is a London-based medical device company that designs and sells soft, fabric-based prosthetic arms with modular tool attachments for individuals with upper limb differences, serving children and adults globally through direct sales, clinical partnerships, and charitable programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Koalaa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Soft Prosthetic Devices
- NAICS
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (313220)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems) (HLAHAEAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Prosthetic Components & Rehabilitation Accessories (Liners, Feet, Knees, Sockets) (HLAHAMAD)
Keywords
Where Koalaa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Koalaa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Prosthetic Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of Koalaa soft prosthetics (ALX, Paww, Joeyy) and modular tool attachments. Basic package includes sleeve and one tool; additional tools available for purchase.
- Tool Attachments: Individual tool attachments (Sarah, Nicole, Joanie, Kitty, Janet, Amy, Grace, Rushton, EDGA Golf, Cycling tools) sold separately or as part of bundles
- Subscription/Hire Model: Option to hire prosthetics with £80 deposit followed by monthly payments. Rolling monthly subscription until cancellation and return.
- Personalized Covers: Decorative covers for prosthetics (Snazzy Superhero, Rare Rainbow, Wildflower Meadow, Turtle, Bumblebee, Sheep, Dalmatian) sold as add-ons
- Installment Payments: Payment plans over 3 or 6 month periods for prosthetic purchases
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | Free prosthetics for UK children under 18 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hire option with monthly payments |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Purchase with installment payments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Koalaa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Koalaa designs, manufactures, and sells soft, fabric-based prosthetic sleeves with interchangeable modular tool attachments for people with upper limb differences (partial hand, below elbow, and pediatric). The core system pairs a soft custom-fit socket sleeve with a library of activity-specific tools (grip, hook, sport, hobby, etc.), enabling users to swap tools based on daily tasks. Products are sold direct-to-consumer worldwide, with charitable distribution for under-18s in the UK.
Product overview
Koalaa offers a portfolio of soft, lightweight prosthetic arms designed for individuals with upper limb differences. The product range centers on three core prosthetic sleeves: ALX (for below elbow limb differences), Paww (for partial hands and fingers), and Joeyy (for babies and toddlers under 3 years). All sleeves use a flexible fabric construction that grips like sportswear rather than relying on rigid mechanisms. The modular system allows users to attach interchangeable tool heads for different activities including cycling, writing, cooking, music, and sports. Koalaa also operates Project Limitless, a charitable program providing free prosthetics to UK children under 18. The company sells directly worldwide with hire and purchase options, and maintains partnerships with NHS and private clinics for clinical fitting services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 300+ children provided with free prosthetics in the UK through Project Limitless
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Koalaa
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Koalaa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Koalaa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Douglas Bader FoundationflagshipInitial capital provider for first prototype soft prosthetics. Main charity partner for Project Limitless, collecting donations to provide free prosthetics to UK children. Provided initial funding that made soft prosthetic concept possible.
- ReachflagshipUK's leading charity for upper limb difference families. Pioneered Project Limitless with Koalaa. Enabled 50+ children to receive free prosthetics. Referral source for families and product co-development feedback.
- Limbbo FoundationcoreCharity for limb difference children and families. Partner in Project Limitless, helping provide prosthetics to children in need.
- Limb PowercoreCharity engaging amputees and limb-impaired individuals in physical activity, sport and arts. Project Limitless partner.
- I Am Possible FoundationminorFoundation focused on visibility, community, and empowerment for individuals with limb differences. Supports awareness and resource sharing.
- Alex Lewis TrustcoreQuadruple amputee Alex Lewis provided initial feedback and co-designed ALX prosthetic. His input combined with unique 'X' pattern support reflected in the product name (A*lex L*ewis X* support).
- Prosthetic Innovations / Team PROLIMBcoreClinical partner whose co-owner Michael Rayer provides testimonials and has pioneered using Koalaa with patients. Represents early clinical adopter.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Koalaa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Ottobock: Global leader in prosthetics, including myoelectric arms (bebionic) and a full lower- and upper-limb portfolio. Competes with Koalaa across the same end users, but via rigid, clinic-fitted, high-cost systems — the opposite end of the spectrum from Koalaa's soft, low-cost approach.
- Össur: Icelandic prosthetics and orthotics major with upper-limb devices including i-Limb and Touch Bionics products. Direct overlap in target customer (upper-limb amputees) and clinical channel, though products are rigid, myoelectric, and high-cost relative to Koalaa.
- Fillauer: US-based manufacturer of upper- and lower-limb prosthetic components and orthotics. Competes with Koalaa in serving upper-limb amputees via clinical prosthetists, with a much broader catalog and longer regulatory track record, but a more traditional, rigid-product portfolio.
Direct peers
- Open Bionics: Bristol-based maker of 3D-printed bionic arms (Hero Arm) targeting the same upper-limb-difference population, including children. Closest direct peer: similar size, similar UK base, similar focus on affordable, child-friendly prosthetics, but uses rigid 3D-printed bionic hardware rather than soft fabric.
Emerging players
- Limbitless Solutions: US-based nonprofit building 3D-printed bionic arms for children, often free of charge. Comparable in mission (child-focused upper-limb prosthetics, charity-funded model) and product category, though serves a US-centered market and uses rigid electromechanical designs.
- Unlimited Tomorrow: US startup offering 3D-scanned, 3D-printed custom prosthetic arms at lower cost than traditional providers. Same end customer and category as Koalaa, but a different technology approach (rigid 3D print) and a more US-centric go-to-market.
- Atom Limbs: Early-stage US-based developer of a mind-controlled, full-range bionic arm. Comparable in addressing upper-limb amputees with next-gen technology, but focused on high-end myoelectric/brain-controlled hardware rather than soft, low-cost fabric sleeves.
- Motorica: Russian developer of anthropomorphic bionic hand prostheses with multi-grip functionality. Comparable target market and product category, with overlapping ambition of bringing modern bionic hands to broader populations, though with a more technical, motorized approach than Koalaa.
- Esper Bionics: Ukraine/US startup developing a self-learning bionic hand prosthesis. Targets the same upper-limb amputee market with cutting-edge technology, but competes on advanced myoelectric control rather than Koalaa's soft, modular, fabric-based approach.
- POLARIS Prosthetics: 3D Systems' bespoke 3D-printed prosthetic socket service for clinicians. Adjacent competitor in prosthetic socket technology, sharing the goal of faster, lower-cost custom sockets, though it focuses on clinical B2B rather than Koalaa's DTC and LMIC channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Koalaa social profiles
Digital presenceKoalaa compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Koalaa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Koalaa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Koalaa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Koalaa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Koalaa
What does Koalaa do?
Koalaa designs, manufactures, and sells soft, fabric-based prosthetic sleeves with interchangeable modular tool attachments for people with upper limb differences (partial hand, below elbow, and pediatric). The core system pairs a soft custom-fit socket sleeve with a library of activity-specific tools (grip, hook, sport, hobby, etc.), enabling users to swap tools based on daily tasks. Products are sold direct-to-consumer worldwide, with charitable distribution for under-18s in the UK.
Is Koalaa a public or private company?
Koalaa is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Koalaa founded?
Koalaa was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Koalaa based?
Koalaa is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Koalaa make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Prosthetic Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are tool Attachments, subscription/Hire Model, personalized Covers and installment Payments.
Who are Koalaa's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Ottobock, Össur and Fillauer. Open Bionics is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Limbitless Solutions, Unlimited Tomorrow, Atom Limbs, Motorica, Esper Bionics and POLARIS Prosthetics.
Does Koalaa have an API?
No public API is recorded for Koalaa.
What industry is Koalaa in?
Koalaa's product category is Soft Prosthetic Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAEAH, Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems), with a secondary code of HLAHAMAD, Prosthetic Components & Rehabilitation Accessories (Liners, Feet, Knees, Sockets). Its NAICS code is 31599 and its SIC code is 3842.