In a landscape where technology often prioritises novelty over human experience, Fupro Innovation Pvt. Ltd. stands out as a rare example of engineering driven by empathy. Co-founders Nimish Mehra and Cyril Joe Baby believe that real innovation begins not with cutting-edge hardware, but with genuinely understanding the lived experiences of people with mobility challenges. In a recent interview with Deccan Business, they shared how their vision is reshaping assistive technology and making inclusive mobility solutions more accessible across India.
At its core, Fupro Innovation was born from a deeply personal insight. Nimish, an international race car designer in his early career, faced his own mobility setback after a knee injury during college. Spending months confined to bed, he experienced first-hand how essential freedom of movement is for one’s independence, dignity and emotional well-being. That formative period sparked a profound shift in his focus—from designing performance machines to engineering solutions that restore human agency.
Joining him in this mission was Cyril Joe Baby, a skilled technical design expert and Mehra’s junior during their engineering days. Together, the duo co-founded Fupro Innovation with a singular belief: that precision engineering must always be guided by human empathy. This belief guides every step of their process—from early research and design to testing, production and aftercare.
Today, Fupro’s portfolio includes over 20 innovative prosthetic and assistive devices, five of which are patented. What sets their products apart is not just their advanced engineering, but how they reflect real needs observed in everyday life. Lightweight structures, intuitive movement, comfort and durability are built into each design based on feedback from users themselves rather than on abstract lab tests alone. This human-centric approach has resulted in solutions that feel less like devices and more like extensions of the body.
The real impact of their work is measurable. To date, Fupro’s solutions have transformed the lives of more than 15,000 individuals across India—people from different walks of life who have regained mobility, confidence and participation in daily life thanks to technologies shaped with empathy. From daily-wage workers returning to work to athletes finding their passion again, these are real stories of restored independence.
One such story shared during their appearance on Shark Tank India was that of Anshul, a national-level mountaineer who lost his leg in an accident. With Fupro’s prosthetic, he was able to return to mountaineering with renewed vigor—an emotional and powerful testament to the company’s mission.
Their Shark Tank pitch was about more than funding—it was a platform to spotlight the importance of inclusive design and affordable access. They asked for ₹60 lakh in funding in exchange for equity, not only to scale production, but to amplify a message: Indian medical devices can rival global brands while remaining deeply empathetic to user needs.
Mehra and Baby emphasise that inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a design principle. They believe that technology should reduce barriers for people rather than create them. For many Indians living with limb loss or physical disabilities, existing prosthetics options have historically been either expensive or poorly adapted to real-world environments, especially in rural and underserved regions. Through thoughtful product design and strategic pricing, Fupro aims to bridge that gap and extend access to mobility solutions regardless of socio-economic status.
Beyond product development, Fupro is also active in awareness and outreach. They engage with communities to educate people about prosthetics care, rehabilitation and adaptive movement—because providing a device is only part of the solution; supporting each person holistically is equally important.
Looking ahead, the founders are ambitious but steadfast. They envision a future where high-quality prosthetics are as affordable and common as everyday necessities. They are exploring avenues such as advanced sensor integration, modular designs for varied activities and expanded distribution networks to reach even the most remote regions. The goal, they say, is simple: mobility should be a right, not a privilege.
As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, Fupro Innovation’s journey exemplifies how purpose-driven engineering can generate both technological progress and meaningful social impact. By placing empathy at the center of design, Nimish Mehra and Cyril Joe Baby are redefining what inclusive mobility means and ensuring that innovation truly serves the people it is meant for.
