Oct 1 2014
Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a robotic exoskeleton company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SoldierSocks, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to working with veterans and veteran organizations. Over the next three years, SoldierSocks has established a goal of purchasing 80 Ekso GT™ robotic exoskeleton suits for VA Hospitals, organizations serving veterans, and eventually direct to veterans.
This announcement represents an extension of Ekso Bionics'™ previous partnership with SoldierSocks, who earlier this year committed to purchasing ten suits, and expects to complete that commitment by year-end.
"SoldierSocks initially engaged Ekso Bionics to procure a 10-suit trial agreement. We were impressed by how they helped injured veterans walk again and continue to be impressed by their compelling technology," said Chris Meek, Co-Founder and Chairman of SoldierSocks. "Ekso Bionics' unique product offering and the level of interest from customers were determining factors in our decision to expand our partnership. We are proud to include their Ekso GT™ in our greater efforts to deliver a more independent and healthy future to our veterans who have returned home."
The Ekso GT is a uniquely designed wearable exoskeleton robotic suit enabling individuals with any amount of lower extremity weakness to stand up and walk over ground with a natural, full weight bearing, reciprocal gait.
To support the expansion, Ekso Bionics has tapped Mr. Josip Markus to serve as Director of National Accounts. Mr. Markus will oversee the SoldierSocks relationship and as well as develop new business with multi-system hospitals across the U.S. Mr. Markus brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in strategic relationship building, new business development in growth markets and partner network management, spanning financial, consumer goods and technology industries. Most recently, he was at Google, where he was in charge of Large Customer Sales.
"It is an exciting time for us to not only deepen our meaningful customer partnerships, but to expand from selling one or two devices to a customer to many devices to a customer. That we are delivering Ekso Bionics technology to VA Systems that help the men and women that have fought for our country is the cherry on top," said Nathan Harding, Co-Founder and CEO of Ekso Bionics. "Now that we are seeing this kind of acceleration in our medical device technology offering it allows us to become more pro-active in how we can expand to additional exoskeleton markets."
About SoldierSocks
SoldierSocks, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, was founded in 2009 to provide basic necessities such as baby wipes, socks and sunscreen to American soldiers fighting for our country in the trenches of Afghanistan and Iraq. As more of our soldiers return home to the U.S., SoldierSocks continues to assist our nation's heroes in re-acclimating to civilian life by providing scholarships for colleges and trade schools and offering paralyzed soldiers an opportunity to gain mobility outside of a wheelchair.
To support SoldierSocks in their efforts to provide services to veterans across the United States, please visit our website at www.SoldierSocks.com.
Source: http://www.eksobionics.com/