Maximum Fidelity Surgical Simulations (MaxFi), a company that provides lifelike cadavers to create highly realistic surgical simulations for medical education, research and product development, and military training, announced today that it has completed its $2.25 million seed funding round. The round was led by St. Louis Arch Angels, BioGenerator Ventures, and Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC).
Launched by Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS, in 2014 in Columbia, Missouri, MaxFi is revolutionizing surgical simulation with its patented and proprietary cadaver perfusion system, which makes cadavers bleed, breathe, and handle like live patients. Healthcare professionals and military medical personnel depend on MaxFi surgical simulations to gain realistic operating room and trauma care experience.
Medical device manufacturers also partner with MaxFi to safely and cost effectively conduct research and test new products in a lifelike environment. And the current customers include Johnson & Johnson, Washington University in St. Louis, and Safeguard Medical.
The funding raised will be used to build a leading-edge medical device development and surgical simulation center in St. Louis. With state-of-the-art labs, meeting spaces, lecture rooms, etc., the center will be the only one in the world focused on providing lifelike cadavers to ensure clients experience the most realistic surgical scenarios. The funding will also support the addition of full-time employees, the development and launch of new technology, and expansion to new markets.
KEY QUOTES:
“The learning experiences MaxFi provides that empower medical professionals to optimize patient outcomes and inventors to innovate safely and efficiently drove our decision to invest. We are confident MaxFi will grow into a substantial business that will advance St. Louis’ reputation as a leader in healthcare.”
– St. Louis Arch Angels President Brian Kinman
“BioGenerator invested in MaxFi because we believe their unique surgical simulation services have demonstrated strong market demand, bolstered by a proven leadership team and a clearly articulated operational plan.”
– BioGenerator Managing Director Crystal Winkeler
“MTC is excited to add MaxFi to our IDEA Fund portfolio after closing an investment in the company from our IDEA Fund through the Seed Capital Program. MTC is committed to supporting early-stage high-growth potential companies with equity-based funding through our state-sponsored venture capital program in alignment with our mission of catalyzing innovation and entrepreneurship for an economic development impact in Missouri.”
– MTC Executive Director Jack Scatizzi
“The completion of this seed funding round is a significant milestone that validates our efforts and vision and marks a crucial step toward commercialization. We believe we have developed a viable, sustainable and accurate solution to meet the pressing need for realistic training for physicians, military personnel and medical device developers.”
– Dr. Fernandez
“We are grateful for our investors, who are enabling us to meet the increasing demand for our simulations and scale our operations to new heights. Most importantly, they are supporting our efforts to make discoveries that save lives and move the practice of medicine forward.”
– MaxFi CEO Bob Mills
