UpLyft

What they do

UpLyft®, a seated self-transfer system that allows people with limited mobility to transfer themselves between their wheelchair and bed, was founded in 2016 by 35-year aerospace engineer Anton Simson. Anton set out to build something that could help his friend who became paralyzed from the waist down after a bicycle accident and whose wife needed help lifting him in and out of bed.

As with many invention stories, the first prototype was built in Anton’s garage. Ten prototypes later, UpLyft went to market in late 2022 with customers (and a waitlist) across the U.S. and Canada.

According to UpLyft, the system allows people with limited mobility who are living at home to regain their sense of independence. With people living longer and wanting to age at home, UpLyft aims to provide people with a sense of comfort and independence and reduce the costs of hiring caregivers. In health care institutions, UpLyft can also be used by health care workers to transfer patients, requiring zero external physical labor during the process. The system can reduce back injuries for nurses and care providers who currently rely on physical labor and teams of two to four workers to lift and transfer patients.

Anton passed away in early 2023, and President and CEO, Craig Misrach, is leading the team in carrying on his legacy.

Why we invested

UpLyft currently has a waitlist for its devices. The company sought capital to purchase parts to manufacture new units of the device and cover the working costs required to execute its sales contracts. Capital from the Advance Strategy will help create more UpLyft units, making them more widely available to people with limited mobility.