Amputee Blade Runners

What Amputee Blade Runners does

Amputee Blade Runners (ABR) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Aaron Fitzsimmons and Ryan Fann, both certified prosthetists, that designs, fabricates, and provides custom running and sports-specific prosthetic legs to lower-limb amputee athletes at no cost. The organization's flagship technical offering is its Skin Fit Socket Technology, a proprietary suction-fit socket design that allows amputees to independently don their prosthetic without gel liners, addressing comfort, skin irritation, and dependency issues common with traditional systems. ABR also produces custom-fitted walking and athletic prosthetics, an athlete-curated exercise library, and a peer mentorship program. All services are delivered free of charge to athletes, with cost per new athlete served held to approximately $3,500 versus a $10,000-$20,000 market rate for equivalent sports prosthetics.

ABR operates from two physical facilities, a Nashville, TN headquarters hosted by The Surgical Clinic and a Savannah, GA location hosted by Reform Prosthetics, with fabrication support from FabCo Prosthetic Designs. The organization serves approximately 120-150 athletes annually, including roughly 30 new athletes per year, distributed across 31 U.S. states where athletes act as ambassadors to other amputees. Access is managed through a rolling grant application process with virtual interviews and board approval, and adult applicants must complete three 5K races before applying. ABR's stated strategic goal is to provide a running prosthesis to at least one athlete in all 50 states.

The organization's revenue model is entirely donation-based, comprising individual donations, corporate sponsorships published at Bronze ($750), Silver ($1,500), and Gold ($3,000) tiers, and motivational speaking fees. The organization is primarily volunteer-run, with a core leadership team including the two co-founders, an Executive Director (Joshua Southards), Director of Fabrication (Nick Gambill), and a board of directors. No audited financials, funding rounds, or institutional investment are disclosed; the organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3)-style entity dependent on donor and sponsor goodwill.

Name

Amputee Blade Runners

Legal name

Amputee Blade Runners

Website

https://amputeebladerunners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Amputee Blade Runners is a U.S. nonprofit that designs, fabricates, and provides free custom running and sports prosthetic legs to lower-limb amputee athletes, serving 120-150 athletes annually across 31 states from Nashville and Savannah facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prosthetic Services

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems) (HLAHAEAH), Prosthetics/Orthotics Rehab & Amputee Rehabilitation (HSADAIAN)

Keywords

• Prosthetic services
• Athletic prosthetics
• Custom running blades
• Nonprofit healthcare
• Amputee support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Primary funding from individual donations and corporate sponsorships. All services provided free to athletes.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship levels: Gold ($3,000 covers one complete prosthetic), Silver ($1,500 covers half), Bronze ($750 covers quarter). Tax-deductible donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Amputee Blade Runners provides free custom-fabricated running and sports prosthetic legs to lower-limb amputee athletes, primarily children and adults in the United States. The organization designs, builds, and fits high-performance prosthetic blades and walking legs at no cost to recipients, with each device individually tailored to the athlete's residual limb and performance goals. The program is funded through individual donations and corporate sponsorships and operates as a volunteer-run nonprofit.

Product overview

Amputee Blade Runners (ABR) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides free custom prosthetic running legs and athletic prosthetics to lower-limb amputee athletes across the United States. The organization operates a multi-pronged approach combining equipment grants (custom running/sports prosthetics with skin fit socket designs), educational resources including an exercise library created by athletes, peer mentorship programs, and community engagement. Services are delivered through facilities in Nashville, TN and Savannah, GA, with a grant application process for both adults (requiring 5K completion) and children (with more flexible requirements). The organization serves 120-150 athletes per year, including approximately 30 new athletes annually, maintaining athletes in 31 states as ambassadors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Running Blade Prosthetics Custom-fabricated high-performance running blades designed and fitted at no cost to lower-limb amputee athletes, primarily in the United States. Each blade is individually tailored to the athlete's residual limb and performance goals using the organization's Skin Fit socket approach.
• Walking / Athletic Prosthetic Legs Custom-fabricated walking and athletic prosthetic legs provided at no cost to lower-limb amputees, complementary to the running blade program and tailored to the recipient's gait and activity goals.
• Free Prosthetic Application Programs (Children and Adults) Formal application programs for child and adult amputee athletes to request and receive free custom prosthetic legs from the organization, covering intake, eligibility review, and scheduling for fitting at the Nashville or Savannah facilities.
• Motivational Speaker Services Speaking engagements delivered by the co-founders and partner athletes to share the organization's mission and amputee athlete stories at events, schools, and corporate functions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120-150 athletes served annually including ~30 new athletes per year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Surgical CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partnership hosting ABR's Nashville headquarters location, providing clinical space for prosthetic fittings and services.
• Reform ProstheticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProsthetics company hosting ABR's Savannah, GA facility location; provides fabrication capabilities and clinical expertise.
• Amputee AssociatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ABR's mission to provide free running prosthetics.
• 40AU Software DevelopmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology sponsor providing software development support for ABR operations.
• Fleet Feet SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRunning specialty retailer sponsor supporting ABR and amputee athletes.
• FillauerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProsthetic component manufacturer and sponsor providing equipment support.
• Ion GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting ABR's nonprofit operations.
• Vascular Surgical AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVascular surgery practice in Atlanta providing medical support and referrals for ABR athletes.
• FabCo Prosthetic DesignscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector of Fabrication Nick Gambill provides fabrication services through FabCo Prosthetic Designs, creating running legs for ABR athletes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Amputee Coalition of America: National nonprofit advocacy and support organization for amputees. Comparable to ABR as a peer organization serving the amputee community, but focuses on education, advocacy, and peer support rather than direct prosthetic provision.
• Move United: National nonprofit providing adaptive sports opportunities to people with disabilities. Adjacent to ABR's mission of enabling amputee participation in sports, though Move United focuses on sports programming rather than prosthetic equipment grants.

Emerging players

• National Ability Center: Nonprofit providing adaptive recreation and sports programming for people with disabilities. Comparable to ABR as a peer organization enabling adaptive sports participation, though focuses on programming/tuition rather than equipment grants.
• LifeNabled Foundation: Nonprofit organization providing prosthetic care and rehabilitation services, with a focus on underserved populations. Comparable to ABR as a peer nonprofit in the amputee prosthetic services space, though smaller scale and different geographic focus.

Direct peers

• Heather Abbott Foundation: Nonprofit providing custom prosthetic limbs to amputees who have lost limbs due to traumatic circumstances. Directly comparable to ABR in offering free customized prosthetics funded through donations, with a similar focus on restoring active lifestyles.
• Range of Motion Project (ROMP): Nonprofit providing prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to amputees in Latin America. Compares to ABR in providing free prosthetic care to underserved amputees, though operating in different geographies.
• A Leg Up Foundation: Nonprofit providing financial assistance and prosthetic devices to amputees. Closely mirrors ABR's model of connecting amputees with prosthetics funding through a network of partners and donor support.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Nonprofit that provides grants for adaptive sports equipment, including prosthetics, to athletes with physical challenges. Most directly comparable to ABR in mission, funding model (donations/sponsorships), and target population of amputees and adaptive athletes.

Broad incumbents

• Ottobock: Global leader in prosthetic technology manufacturing, including running blades. Comparable to ABR as a provider of athletic prosthetics, but operates as a large commercial enterprise with insurance billing rather than grant-funded provision.
• Fillauer: Established manufacturer of prosthetic components and orthotic devices. Comparable to ABR as a prosthetics provider in the amputee ecosystem, and ABR sponsor; but operates as a traditional commercial manufacturer rather than a nonprofit service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amputee-blade-runners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Amputee Blade Runners