Kinova Company Profile: History, Funding and Products
Updated: 7 days ago
Kinova is a Canadian maker of lightweight robot arms that began with a single purpose: giving people with limited arm movement more independence. Charles Deguire and Louis-Joseph L'Ecuyer founded it in 2006. This profile sets out its history, funding and products.
Kinova at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | Kinova |
Founded | 2006 |
Founders | Charles Deguire and Louis-Joseph L'Ecuyer |
Headquarters | Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada |
Best-known product | JACO assistive robot arm |
Funding | USD 25 million announced in 2017 |
Stock listing | None; privately held |
Chief Executive Officer | Charles Deguire |
Company History
The idea came from Charles Deguire's family: as a young man he helped three uncles who had muscular dystrophy. The company he co-founded in 2006 introduced, in 2009, a robot arm that mounts on a standard wheelchair and lets its user eat without help. The arm was named JACO.
From that base Kinova moved into research and medical robotics. It opened offices in Germany and China between 2016 and 2018, raised USD 25 million in 2017 and began a research collaboration with McGill University the same year.
Key milestones
2006: Founded.
2009: Wheelchair-mounted assistive arm introduced.
2016 to 2018: Offices in Germany and China.
2017: USD 25 million raised; collaboration with McGill University.
Funding
The 2017 round of USD 25 million came from KTB Network, BDC Venture Capital, Fonds Manufacturier Quebecois and Foxconn Technology Group.
Products
Product | Description |
JACO | Six-axis assistive arm with a two- or three-finger hand, for wheelchair users |
Research and collaborative arms | Lightweight arms for universities, labs and industry |
Accessories | Grippers, actuators and controllers |
Kinova product reviews on All Things Cobots
Can You Invest in Kinova?
Not on a public market. It is privately held.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
A unique position in assistive robotics.
Lightweight arms valued by researchers.
A founder still leading the company.
Challenges
Small markets in assistive and research robotics.
Strong competition if it moves further into industrial cobots.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 3 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
Kinova FAQ
Where is Kinova based?
In Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada.
Who founded Kinova?
Charles Deguire and Louis-Joseph L'Ecuyer, in 2006.
What is JACO?
Kinova's robot arm that mounts on a wheelchair to help users with everyday tasks.
Who has invested in Kinova?
KTB Network, BDC Venture Capital, Fonds Manufacturier Quebecois and Foxconn, in a USD 25 million round in 2017.
Is Kinova publicly traded?
No.
Sources
Wikipedia: Kinova
Kinova: about us
