WOW STORY OF THE DAY: Two MNIT Jaipur Graduates Started a College Project for Army Veterans and Built a ₹15 Crore Prosthetics Company

The idea for Fupro first came to Nimish Mehra when he was a student at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, after he suffered a knee injury and was confined to bed for nearly two months. Co-founded with Cyril Joe Baby, FUPRO has impacted 15,000-plus lives with 20 products and five patented designs, reported ₹2.5 crore in FY24 revenue growing 70% year-on-year, and secured ₹60 lakh from three Sharks on Shark Tank India Season 4.

A Knee Injury, Army Veterans, and a College Project That Became a Company

The idea for Fupro first came to Nimish Mehra when he was a student at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur. He already had a deep interest in mobility systems and mechanical design, but this interest grew stronger after he suffered a knee injury and was confined to bed for nearly two months. The experience made him realise how essential movement is in everyday life and how difficult life can become when mobility is restricted.

"Being on bed for 2 months made me realize the importance of mobility. It's about restoring your freedom and independence. As a race-car engineer turned healthcare innovator, I've witnessed how accessible and affordable prosthetics can transform lives," Nimish says.

Determined to find a solution, he began experimenting with prosthetic designs as part of a college project. During this time, he collaborated with his junior Cyril Joe Baby, whose technical knowledge and engineering skills helped transform the early concept into a more practical and scalable solution. What began as a research effort soon turned into a startup focused on improving accessibility to prosthetic technology.

Fupro was launched in 2018. While the engineering concept was forged in the laboratories of Jaipur, the company formally established its corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art production infrastructure in the industrial hub of Mohali, Punjab. In its early phases, the company secured government funding from BIRAC, an initiative by the Government of India supporting high-tech startups. This financial boost allowed Fupro to refine its designs and expand its reach across the country.

 Spring Action Technology, Five Patents, AI Integration, and Prices at One-Tenth of International Brands

With 20 SKUs, 5 patents, and prices 50-80% lower than international brands, Fupro has already empowered over 15,000 specially-abled individuals. While most international prosthetics cost ₹10-15 lakh, Fupro offers equally advanced limbs at just ₹1-2 lakh, making it a game-changer for middle-class and underprivileged amputees.

Fupro integrates Artificial Intelligence for enhanced adaptability, IoT-enabled sensors that track movement patterns and suggest adjustments for improved mobility, and 3D printing and rapid prototyping for customised prosthetics at faster and more affordable rates. The Spring Action Technology provides natural movement and reduces strain, while the lightweight design ensures comfort for long-term wear.

Fupro makes advanced prosthetic limbs using a smart mix of polyurethanes, polymers, and metals—tough, versatile, and built to last. Post-Shark Tank, orders jumped and the visibility helped transform Fupro's idea into a manufacturing powerhouse with 11 specialized departments.

 A Mountaineer's Story and Three Sharks Who Said Yes

Fupro gained nationwide attention when Nimish Mehra and Cyril Joe Baby presented their company on Shark Tank India Season 4 Episode 13. They initially sought ₹60 lakh for 1% equity, valuing the company at ₹60 crore.

During their Shark Tank India pitch, the founders shared the story of Anshul, a national-level mountaineer who lost his leg in an accident. With FUPRO's prosthetic, Anshul regained his mobility and returned to his passion for mountaineering, praised for its affordability, durability, and excellent range of motion.

Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal, recognizing the impact of Fupro's work, came together with an offer valuing the company at ₹12 crore. Aman Gupta, impressed by the mission and vision, offered a ₹20 crore valuation. The founders envisioned a collaborative deal. After some back-and-forth negotiations to align the equity stakes, the final deal was sealed: ₹60 lakhs for 4% equity, with no strings attached, effectively valuing Fupro at ₹15 crore.

Scale and Real-World Impact

Every figure below is drawn from publicly verified, credible sources.

Operational Benchmark	Metric Value & Strategic Target
FY24 Annual Revenue	₹2.5 crore
FY25 Revenue Realization	₹3.47 crore (Reflecting solid post-show 70% growth trajectories)
FY24 Profitability Status	Net loss of ₹64.3 lakh
Medium-Term Revenue Target	Aiming to reach ₹35 crore in revenue within the next three years
Patient Footprint Target	Scale to double impact to 30,000 lives by 2027
International Footprint Map	Expand into Southeast Asia by 2026
Product Portfolio Extension	Vision to expand into hearing aids, vision solutions, and elderly care tools
Macro Market Opportunity	Indian prosthetics market projected to reach ~₹1,500 crore by 2025
Domestic Target Demographics	India alone has over 5 lakh amputees

The Most Powerful Businesses Are the Ones That Start With a Person, Not a Market

The sharpest lesson from FUPRO's journey is this: the most enduring companies in healthcare are the ones founded by people who look at a specific human being's pain and decide it is unacceptable.

Nimish did not start with a market analysis. He started with two months in bed, unable to move, and a conviction that nobody should face that experience without access to the best possible recovery tools. He started with army veterans who had lost limbs. He started with a college lab and a question.

"We wanted to bridge the glaring gap in India's prosthetic market. Good products existed, but access was the issue," says Nimish. "Persistence is key in entrepreneurship. When you believe in your mission, no challenge is insurmountable."

A knee injury. A college lab. Five patents. Fifteen thousand lives changed. A government grant. Three Sharks. And a vision to take India's assistive technology to the world.

Sources: Famous Birthdays, Indian Retailer, Indian Startup Times, LinkedIn, Agriculture Post, StartupPedia.