Victory Over Paralysis

What Victory Over Paralysis does

Victory Over Paralysis is a non-profit research organization, affiliated with the University of Louisville's Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC), that develops and delivers clinical therapies for individuals living with spinal cord injuries. Its core technology platform combines surgically implanted epidural spinal cord stimulation, non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation, multi-site stimulation protocols for cervical injuries, and activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) supported by devices such as the ZeroG Body Weight Support System. The organization runs two principal programs: the Epidural Stimulation Program for adults, with 50 research participants implanted as of recent reporting, and the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery, which delivers locomotor training and transcutaneous stimulation to children from toddlers to teens. It also operates the Community Fitness and Wellness gym at Frazier Rehab Institute (250 E. Liberty St, Louisville) and extends reach through the NeuroHope/Conquer Paralysis Now partnership in Indianapolis.

The organization's business model is donations- and grants-driven rather than commercial. Primary funding sources include foundation grants (notably Kosair for Kids with $5.5M committed over five years and $12M+ cumulative since 2014), institutional research grants (a $5M robotics grant in 2016, NIH funding, Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust), event-based fundraising (the Red Tie Gala raised $507,210 in 2024, MW Fund Golf Classic, 5K events), and smaller patient-created funds such as the MW Fund. Participants access services through research enrollment at KSCIRC and clinical programs at Frazier Rehab Institute, with the Ronald McDonald House of Kentuckiana providing accommodation for families traveling from 31 states and 9 countries. Strategic outreach runs through the Optimal neuro|spine podcast, the annual Pediatric NeuroRecovery Summit, an earned media footprint spanning BBC, Time, Lancet, and JAMA, and social media channels highlighting patient outcomes.

Name

Victory Over Paralysis

Legal name

Victory Over Paralysis

Website

https://victoryoverparalysis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spinal Cord Injury Research & Neurorehabilitation Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pediatric Physical Therapy & Developmental Rehab (HSADAIAE), Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC), Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab) (HSADAIAK)

Keywords

• Spinal cord injury research
• Epidural stimulation therapy
• Pediatric neurorecovery
• Activity-based rehabilitation
• Neuromodulation research

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Charitable Donations: Primary revenue from grants and donations from charitable foundations including Kosair for Kids ($5.5M over 5 years for pediatric programs), Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, and individual donors. Funds research operations and participant support programs.
2. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including Red Tie Gala (raised $507,210 in 2024), MW Fund Golf Classic, and 5K Run/Walk/Roll events. Proceeds support research programs and participant financial assistance.
3. Research Grants: Government and institutional research funding including NIH grants, $5M robotics research grant, and Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Trust funding for scientific studies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Victory Over Paralysis funds and coordinates translational research and clinical programs for spinal cord injury recovery, including the Epidural Stimulation Program (surgically implanted stimulators enabling voluntary movement and autonomic recovery), the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery (activity-based therapy for children with SCI), and the Community Fitness and Wellness Gym (accessible exercise at Frazier Rehab Institute). Services are delivered to research participants and patients through the University of Louisville and Frazier Rehab Institute rather than as commercial products.

Product overview

Victory Over Paralysis is a non-profit research organization that supports the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC) at the University of Louisville. The organization does not operate as a unified software product platform, but rather funds and coordinates multiple distinct research and clinical programs. Key offerings include the Epidural Stimulation Program using implanted stimulators for neuromodulation, the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery for children with spinal cord injuries, and the Community Fitness and Wellness Gym providing accessible rehabilitation. The Whole Body Systems Neuromodulation research encompasses motor control, cardiovascular/respiratory function, and autonomic systems. The Optimal neuro|spine podcast extends their educational reach. These programs collectively aim to help individuals with paralysis regain voluntary movement and function.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery: Pediatric neurorecovery program focusing on retraining the neuromuscular system at every stage of recovery for children with spinal cord injuries.
• KSCIRC (Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center)
• Epidural Stimulation Program

Products and services

• Epidural Stimulation Program A research program at the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center using surgically implanted epidural stimulators placed above the spine's dura to activate spinal cord circuits, enabling voluntary movement, standing, stepping, and improved cardiovascular, respiratory, bladder, bowel, and sexual function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. Services are delivered to research participants enrolled in clinical studies.
• Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery A specialized clinical and research center focused on retraining the neuromuscular system in children with spinal cord injuries through activity-based recovery therapies, pediatric locomotor training, transcutaneous spinal stimulation, and dedicated recovery-based therapies. Serves toddlers to teens and is funded by Kosair for Kids.
• Community Fitness and Wellness Gym A fully accessible gym located at 250 E. Liberty St, Louisville at the UofL Health–Frazier Rehab Institute, providing adaptive exercise equipment and rehabilitation programs specifically for individuals with physical impairments including spinal cord injuries. Financial assistance is available for qualifying individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Four paralyzed men regained ability to move legs with epidural stimulation (2014 landmark study)
• +4 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ronald McDonald House Charities of KentuckianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome-away-from-home for families traveling from 31 states and 9 countries for research participation and clinical care. RMHC-K has been the 'home-away-from-home' for families at UofL and Frazier Rehab. Celebrating 40 years of caring and service to children and families.
• NeuroHopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership expanding neurorecovery services through Conquer Paralysis Now's purchase of a 108,000 sq ft facility in Indianapolis. Goal to expand robotics program, introduce aquatic therapy, and create adaptive sports campus for the paralysis community in the Midwest.
• University of Louisville / Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research institution hosting epidural stimulation program, pediatric NeuroRecovery center, and translational research programs. Home to Dr. Susan Harkema, Dr. Yury Gerasimenko, Dr. Andrea Behrman and other world-renowned SCI researchers.
• Frazier Rehab InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerClinical partner providing rehabilitation services including Community Fitness and Wellness gym, Pediatric NeuroRecovery program, and epidural stimulation treatment. Recognized as having the top Pediatric NeuroRecovery Program.
• NeuroHope and Conquer Paralysis NowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConquer Paralysis Now is a global project of Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, established after paralyzing IndyCar crash. Partnership expanding services through adaptive fitness center 'DRIVEN' in Las Vegas and new Midwest facility.
• Clinical and Community Fitness PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of clinical and community fitness partners providing accessible exercise and rehabilitation services for individuals with spinal cord injuries across multiple locations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Craig H. Neilsen Foundation: Leading private foundation funding SCI research, rehabilitation, and quality-of-life grants. Shares VOP's grant-making model, target patient population, and emphasis on translational SCI research.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Major non-profit funding SCI research, advocacy, and quality-of-life programs. Direct mission peer and active funder of VOP's Big Idea epidural stimulation study, addressing the same SCI patient population with research grants and family support services.
• Rick Hansen Foundation:

Direct peers

• ONWARD Medical: Publicly traded medical technology company developing implantable spinal cord stimulation systems (ARC-IM and ARC-EX) to restore movement and autonomic function after SCI. Most direct commercial competitor pursuing the same epidural stimulation thesis.
• Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation / Conquer Paralysis Now: Non-profit funding paralysis research and adaptive recovery programs, including the NeuroHope clinic. Active partner of VOP via the NeuroHope Indianapolis expansion, addressing the same SCI patient population through adaptive fitness and research.
• SpineX Inc. Clinical-stage medical device company developing non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation for SCI, stroke, and cerebral palsy. Closest non-invasive technology peer pursuing the same neuromodulation thesis for SCI recovery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/voparalysis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXKRNqmSPa4R5bNqM8EjlQA
• Instagraminstagram.com/victoryoverparalysis
• Facebookfacebook.com/SusanHarkema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-spinal-cord-injury-research-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Victory Over Paralysis