SkelEx
Skel-Ex B.V. (Skelex) is a Dutch designer and manufacturer of passive and active industrial exoskeletons—shoulder/arm, back, neck, and grip-assist devices—sold to enterprise, government, and SMB customers across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, defense, and maritime sectors via webshop, dealers, and direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersRotterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SkelEx does
Skel-Ex B.V. (operating as Skelex) is a Dutch industrial exoskeleton designer and manufacturer headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, founded in 2015 as a spin-out of TU Delft's YES!Delft accelerator with technology developed in collaboration with TNO. The company sells a portfolio of primarily passive exoskeletons—Skelex 360 (shoulder/arm support, €2,995), Skelex Edge (lower back support, €825), Skelex Neck (overhead-work neck support, €175)—plus the active Skelex Ironhand grip-assist glove (€9,995) acquired from Bioservo in June 2024. Core technology is a spring-based gravity-balancing mechanism (FlexFrame) that supports 1–4.9 kg per arm without motors or batteries, validated by Fraunhofer IPA, TNO, and multiple universities with measured outcomes including 30–50% shoulder-muscle-activity reductions and up to 28.87% improvement in overhead weld travel speed.
Skelex monetizes through one-time perpetual hardware sales (€175–€9,995 per unit, ex-VAT) plus accessories and replacement parts, distributed via an official global webshop, a certified dealer network with exclusive regional rights, and direct enterprise sales supported by sector-specialized directors (Corporates; Agri & Dairy Farming). Customer segments span industrial manufacturing, construction, healthcare, logistics, agriculture/dairy, defense, and maritime, with named enterprise and government users including Airbus, Audi, Ford, Volvo, BASF, Knauf, Saint Gobain, BAE Systems, Dutch Navy, USAF, Thyssenkrupp, Damen, Deutsche Bahn, KLM, and Transavia. Marketing combines organic social (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), YouTube product content, industry events, and a freemium ErgoScan AI video-assessment app (powered by WearHealth's engine) that performs RULA-based ergonomic risk scoring to feed leads into hardware sales. The company is privately held with backing from Unknown Group and VDL Participaties; the 2024 management transition (Bart Bakkum as Managing Director, Frank van der Mooren as Commercial Director) and 2025 sector-director appointments mark a shift from founder-led evangelism to a professionalized commercial and international-expansion posture.
SkelEx firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SkelEx
- Legal name
- Skel-Ex B.V.
- Website
- https://skelex.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Skel-Ex B.V. (Skelex) is a Dutch designer and manufacturer of passive and active industrial exoskeletons—shoulder/arm, back, neck, and grip-assist devices—sold to enterprise, government, and SMB customers across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, defense, and maritime sectors via webshop, dealers, and direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SkelEx industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Exoskeletons
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ergonomics & Manual Handling / Material Handling Safety (EDABAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ)
Keywords
Where SkelEx is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rotterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SkelEx business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Exoskeleton Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of passive and active exoskeleton devices. Products include Skelex 360 (€2,995), Skelex Edge (€825), Skelex Ironhand (€9,995), and Skelex Neck Support (€175). Pricing excludes VAT. Revenue recognized at point of sale with no recurring subscription required for passive devices.
- Accessories and Replacement Parts: Sales of supplementary components, replacement straps, padding, and accessories for existing products. Ongoing revenue from existing customer base.
- ErgoScan AI App: Free app with 20 complimentary assessments. Additional assessments available for purchase. Generates leads for exoskeleton sales by identifying ergonomic risks and recommending Skelex solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skelex Neck Support - Entry-level neck support for overhead work |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skelex Edge - Lower back support for bending and lifting tasks |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skelex 360 - Shoulder and arm support for overhead and repetitive tasks |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skelex Ironhand - Active grip enhancement glove |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
SkelEx product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SkelEx (legal entity Skel-Ex B.V.) designs, develops, and manufactures industrial exoskeletons — both passive and active — that reduce physical strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries for workers in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial environments. The company also offers ErgoScan, an AI-based ergonomic assessment application, and provides custom-engineered solutions for large-scale industrial customers.
Product overview
Skelex designs, produces, and markets industrial exoskeletons for human physical support. The product portfolio consists of passive mechanical exoskeletons (Skelex 360 for shoulder/arm support, Skelex Edge for back support, Skelex Neck for neck support) and active powered devices (Skelex Ironhand acquired from Bioservo for grip enhancement). Specialized variants include Skelex 360 Welding for industrial welding applications and Skelex 360 Happy Milker for dairy farming. An accompanying AI-powered ErgoScan app provides video-based ergonomic risk assessment. All products are passive mechanical devices (except Ironhand) requiring no batteries, developed from TU Delft research with TNO collaboration, and certified to European CE standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ErgoScan: AI-powered ergonomic risk assessment app developed in partnership with Wearhealth for workplace ergonomic analytics
- Skelex Academy
- Skelex 360
- Skelex Edge
- Skelex Neck
- Skelex Ironhand
Products and services
- BackX Passive Exoskeleton Passive back-support exoskeleton that reduces strain on the lower back during repetitive lifting and bending tasks, for industrial workers in manufacturing, logistics, and assembly operations.
- ShoulderX Passive Exoskeleton Passive shoulder/arm exoskeleton that supports overhead work and reduces fatigue in arms and shoulders, for industrial workers performing repetitive overhead tasks.
- Custom Active Exoskeleton Solutions Custom-engineered active exoskeletons developed in collaboration with enterprise customers for task-specific applications in heavy industrial environments.
- ErgoScan AI Assessment Tool AI-based ergonomic assessment application that analyzes workplace tasks and recommends exoskeleton interventions to reduce injury risk.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30-50% reduction in shoulder muscle activity during welding, sealing, and plastering tasks
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use SkelEx
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SkelEx technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
SkelEx partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.
- BioservostrategicSkelex acquired the rights for Ironhand active glove from Bioservo. Ironhand is a soft robotic glove technology that enhances grip strength using sensors and powered tendons.
- WearHealthcoreGerman AI startup providing the technology engine for Skelex's ErgoScan app. WearHealth's independent AI engine analyzes video to generate ergonomic risk assessments using RULA scoring. GDPR-compliant processing with EU hosting.
- TU Delft (YES!Delft program)coreTechnology origin point. Skelex spun out from Technical University Delft via the YES!Delft accelerator program in 2015. Core technology developed from university research.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreIndependent research institute that collaborated with Skelex to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world applications. Technology further developed post-university with TNO support.
- Stanley HandlingstrategicUK-based distributor featuring Skelex products in BBC coverage on AI and exoskeletons. Specializes in innovative handling solutions for industrial and healthcare sectors.
- KnaufstrategicMajor construction materials company that previously launched Knauf exoskeletons for plasterers in cooperation with Skelex. Frank van der Mooren, now Commercial Director at Skelex, previously managed this partnership at Knauf.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SkelEx competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths3 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SkelEx social profiles
Digital presenceSkelEx compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SkelEx financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SkelEx leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SkelEx subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SkelEx funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SkelEx 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 SkelEx
What does SkelEx do?
SkelEx (legal entity Skel-Ex B.V.) designs, develops, and manufactures industrial exoskeletons — both passive and active — that reduce physical strain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries for workers in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial environments. The company also offers ErgoScan, an AI-based ergonomic assessment application, and provides custom-engineered solutions for large-scale industrial customers.
Is SkelEx a public or private company?
SkelEx is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was SkelEx founded?
SkelEx was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SkelEx based?
SkelEx is headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does SkelEx make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Exoskeleton Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Replacement Parts and ergoScan AI App.
Does SkelEx have an API?
No public API is recorded for SkelEx.
What industry is SkelEx in?
SkelEx's product category is Industrial Exoskeletons. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAEAJ, Ergonomics & Manual Handling / Material Handling Safety, with a secondary code of HLAHAMAJ, Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3842.