inspire lab

What inspire lab does

INSPIRE Lab is a non-profit translational research laboratory founded in 2010 and based at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge, MA, with formal affiliations to Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham. The lab develops and validates rehabilitation technologies targeting functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), serving individuals with chronic and acute SCI, clinicians, and the broader neurorehabilitation research community. Principal Investigator Dr. Randy Trumbower leads an interdisciplinary team of approximately 11-50 researchers, engineers, and clinicians, supported by federal grants and industry collaborations.

The lab's core technology portfolio centers on transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) delivered through the ARCEX therapy platform and the BO2ST protocol, which combines acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) with tSCS and gait training. Complementary platforms include the SAMM (Soft Active Mobility Module) robotic gait system, a wearable mixed reality system built on Microsoft HoloLens for in-home rehabilitation, and the SCI Biorepository for genomic and biomarker research. The lab also contributes to the ARC-IM implantable stimulation system in partnership with Onward Medical.

INSPIRE Lab operates a hybrid funding model. Research grants from federal and non-federal sponsors — most prominently the U.S. Department of Defense — underwrite preclinical and clinical research, while a clinical services arm, the Clinic for Enhanced Independence, delivers insurance-billed ARCEX therapy to outpatients on a 2-3 sessions per week, 8-week protocol. The organization also engages in industry partnerships with medical device and robotics companies (SpineX, Onward Medical, Aneuvo, Hello Robot, Enchanted Tools) and non-profit research collaborations (Wings for Life, United Spinal Association, Travis Roy Center).

Name

inspire lab

Legal name

INSPIRE Lab

Website

https://inspire-lab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INSPIRE Lab is a non-profit translational research laboratory developing spinal cord injury rehabilitation technologies, including the ARCEX transcutaneous stimulation platform, BO2ST protocol, and SAMM robotic gait system, serving SCI patients, clinicians, and the research community from Cambridge, MA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Spinal cord injury rehabilitation
• Neuromodulation therapy
• Transcutaneous spinal stimulation
• Assistive robotics
• Neurorehabilitation research

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Clinical Services Revenue: The outpatient clinic provides transcutaneous spinal stimulation (ARCEX) and exercise therapy. Health insurance is billed based on outpatient therapy benefits. Private payment is not currently accepted.
2. Research Grants and Funding: The lab conducts research funded by grants from organizations including the Department of Defense (DOD) and other institutional partners. Part of Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INSPIRE Lab is a translational research laboratory that develops and clinically tests rehabilitation technologies for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Its core clinical offering is ARCEX Therapy (transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation paired with exercise for arm and hand function recovery), delivered at its outpatient Clinic for Enhanced Independence. It also runs multiple clinical research studies, including the BO2ST protocol (acute intermittent hypoxia + spinal stimulation + gait training), the SAMM assistive robot co-design study, the ARC-IM implantable device study, and an SCI Biorepository.

Product overview

INSPIRE Lab is a research laboratory (not a product company) focused on accelerating functional independence and quality of life for people with severe spinal cord injury. Founded in 2010 and affiliated with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the lab offers therapeutic services and conducts multiple research studies. The primary clinical service is ARCEX Therapy, an outpatient transcutaneous spinal stimulation treatment for hand and arm function. Research programs include the BO2ST protocol (acute intermittent hypoxia combined with spinal stimulation and gait training), the SAMM study (co-designing a mobile robotic assistant), the ARC-IM implantable device study, and the Spinal Cord Injury Biorepository for genetic biomarker research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BO2ST Studies: Novel approach combining bouts of low oxygen (AIH), transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSTIM), and gait training to improve walking function after spinal cord injury
• SAMM Study
• ARCEX Therapy

Products and services

• ARCEX Therapy
• BO2ST Studies
• SAMM Study (Social, Assistive Mobile Manipulator)
• ARC-IM System Study
• Spinal Cord Injury Biorepository

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of ARCEX therapy participants showed significant improvements in strength and functional abilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Department of Defense (DOD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch funding partner supporting the lab's spinal cord injury rehabilitation technology development.
• Harvard Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institutional partner. Dr. Randy Trumbower is an associate professor of PM&R at Harvard Medical School. Lab is affiliated with Harvard's PhD Program in Neuroscience.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution in the New England research ecosystem for SCI rehabilitation technology development.
• Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for INSPIRE Lab. Part of Mass General Brigham network. Provides clinical infrastructure for research and outpatient services.
• Travis Roy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity outreach partner for gathering insights from individuals living with SCI and building supportive network for shared experiences and mutual learning.
• United SpinalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy organization partner supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries. Part of network championing shared experiences and collective progress in SCI research.
• Wings for LifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpinal cord injury research foundation partner supporting the lab's mission to accelerate functional independence for people with SCI.
• Harvard Program in Neurology (PiN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard academic program partner supporting neuroscience research and training in SCI rehabilitation.
• Martino CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center partner in the New England ecosystem supporting interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation science.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Onward Medical: Public clinical-stage medical technology company developing neuromodulation therapies to restore movement and function after spinal cord injury (BCI platform, ARC-IM). Direct peer because both target chronic SCI with implantable and non-invasive stimulation approaches, and Onward is also an INSPIRE partner.
• SpineX: Clinical-stage company developing non-invasive neuromodulation devices (SpineX Inc.) for SCI and related neurological conditions, including Transcutaneous Stimulation (TS) platforms. Direct peer as an SCI-focused neurotechnology company and listed INSPIRE partner.
• Shepherd Center: Specialty hospital in Atlanta dedicated to medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with SCI, brain injury, and other neuromuscular conditions. Operates both clinical rehabilitation services and an SCI research program analogous to INSPIRE's dual clinic + lab model.
• Kessler Foundation: Nonprofit research and education organization operating SCI and mobility research centers (in partnership with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation) focused on translational rehabilitation research, neuromodulation, and assistive technology. Direct peer in SCI rehabilitation research.
• Aneuvo: Medical technology company developing non-invasive neuromodulation therapies for SCI and other conditions of the nervous system; listed INSPIRE partner. Direct peer as an SCI-focused neurotech company working in adjacent restorative therapy modalities.

Broad incumbents

• ReWalk Robotics: Public company offering FDA-cleared powered exoskeletons (ReWalk Personal 6.0) for individuals with SCI to enable walking. Broader incumbent in SCI rehabilitation robotics with FDA-cleared products that overlap with INSPIRE's gait training and assistive robotics mission.
• Ekso Bionics: Public company developing robotic exoskeletons (EksoNR) used in rehabilitation for SCI, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Comparable as an established player in robotic-assisted SCI/mobility rehabilitation.
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago): Large academic rehabilitation hospital and research enterprise running SCI clinical research including neuromodulation, robotics, and gait training studies. Comparable as a leading academic rehabilitation research institution with a translational care model similar to INSPIRE Lab.

Regional players

• Wings for Life Foundation: Austria-based international spinal cord injury research foundation that funds academic and clinical SCI research globally. Comparable as a non-profit SCI research funder/ecosystem partner supporting grants and trials analogous to INSPIRE's funding structure.
• Travis Roy Center: Affiliate of the United Spinal Association focused on SCI research translation and community support. Active INSPIRE outreach partner providing participant networks for SCI research—comparable as an SCI-specific research support and community infrastructure partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/srhinspirelab
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SpauldingRehab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theinspirelab
• Instagraminstagram.com/inspire__lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about inspire lab