Control Bionics (ASX: CBL) has reached a significant milestone with the announcement of two major commercial agreements for its NeuroStrip technology. These strategic partnerships mark the company’s expansion into two key high-growth sectors: the U.S. sports performance market and the Japanese neurological rehabilitation market. The partnerships involve collaborations with prominent industry leaders, providing Control Bionics with new opportunities to broaden its market reach.
The company’s expansion into these new markets is expected to generate substantial revenue through recurring subscription fees and hardware sales. Moreover, these partnerships will provide Control Bionics with exclusive access to anonymized patient and athlete data, which will be used to develop advanced AI models and drive further automation in the future.
As part of its growth strategy, Control Bionics has acquired a 20% stake in Neuro Elite Athletics, a U.S.-based company responsible for the NeuroBounce program, for US$250,000. This investment will fast-track the rollout of NeuroBounce across the United States. The program is the world’s only computerized electromyography (EMG) training solution designed to enhance vertical leap and explosiveness. Proven to increase a player’s vertical leap by 5–15 cm and improve athletic performance in just eight sessions, NeuroBounce has gained significant traction among U.S. athletes, particularly in basketball, volleyball, and football.
The U.S. market presents a vast potential for the NeuroBounce program, with more than 28,500 college sports teams and over 600,000 athletes. The initial focus will be on NCAA Division I sports, targeting approximately 10,000 basketball players and 4,000 women’s volleyball players. Additionally, the program will cater to 166 professional sports teams, including those in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. With a combined pool of 7.9 million participants in high school sports, the market offers long-term growth prospects.
NeuroBounce generates revenue through a combination of setup fees, Software as a Service (SaaS) subscriptions, and per-athlete fees. Each program is expected to generate approximately US$25,000 annually, providing Control Bionics with direct revenue from hardware sales, software subscriptions, and a share of distributions.
Control Bionics has also secured exclusive rights to market NeuroBounce in Australia and Japan, leveraging its established intellectual property to penetrate these new markets. The company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Stroke Lab, a leading Tokyo-based rehabilitation facility, to adapt and localize the NeuroStrip technology for the Japanese market. Stroke Lab is well-regarded for its expertise in neurological rehabilitation and boasts a strong digital presence, including over 50,000 social media followers, which will help promote NeuroStrip in Japan.
The partnership with Stroke Lab sets the stage for a joint operating agreement by the first quarter of 2025, strengthening Control Bionics’ position in Japan’s advanced rehabilitation market and providing a strong platform for future growth.
Jeremy Steele, CEO of Control Bionics, expressed confidence in the company’s expanding market presence. “These collaborations underscore Control Bionics’ ability to enter and lead high-growth markets. With NeuroBounce’s proven success in sports and Stroke Lab’s rehabilitation expertise, we are driving innovation while delivering value for our shareholders,” Steele said. He also emphasized that these partnerships would help scale the company rapidly while diversifying its revenue streams and enhancing its long-term business prospects.
With these strategic initiatives, Control Bionics is well-positioned for continued success as it capitalizes on opportunities in the U.S. sports and Japanese rehabilitation markets.