How much funding has Nanochon raised?

Nanochon has raised $11.3M in total funding. Key investors include Cultivate(MD) Capital Funds, UVA Licensing & Ventures Group (LVG) Seed Fund, Alumni Ventures, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Tysons Wealth Advisors, WSGR, Wealthing VC Fund.

Who is the CEO of Nanochon?

Benjamin Holmes is the CEO of Nanochon. The company was founded in 2016.

Where is Nanochon located?

Nanochon is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA.

What funding stage is Nanochon at?

Nanochon is currently at the Active stage.

How many employees does Nanochon have?

Nanochon has approximately 11-50 employees.

Nanochon

Name: AM Companies Database
Creator: AMPulse
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

ApplicationWashington, D.C., USAFounded 2016· One of 411 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

A 3D-printed synthetic cartilage implant designed to replace damaged knee tissue and stimulate the growth of natural bone and cartilage.

CEO / Founder: Benjamin Holmes
Team Size: 11-50
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $11.3M
Latest Round: Seed
Key Investors: Cultivate(MD) Capital Funds, UVA Licensing & Ventures Group (LVG) Seed Fund, Alumni Ventures, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Tysons Wealth Advisors, WSGR, Wealthing VC Fund

Technology & Products

Key Products

Chondrograft™ implant: A 3D-printed knee implant designed for cartilage restoration, offering a minimally invasive solution for tissue regrowth. Currently in Phase I clinical trial in Canada for a 10-patient early feasibility study evaluating safety and efficacy in knee cartilage restoration.

Technological Advantage

Utilizes a proprietary polyurethane and ceramic nanocomposite material that is 3D-printable, load-bearing, and mechanically matched to human cartilage, providing a faster and more cost-effective solution than lab-grown cell therapies.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Offers a permanent, one-step surgical alternative to traditional cartilage repair; it mimics the mechanical properties of natural tissue while acting as a scaffold for cellular regrowth, potentially delaying or eliminating the need for total knee replacements.

How They Differentiate

Nanochon offers a one-step surgical procedure using a 3D-printed synthetic scaffold (ChondroCore) that mimics cartilage mechanically while promoting natural tissue regrowth. This contrasts with Vericel’s two-step autologous cell therapy and CartiHeal’s aragonite-based implants, providing a faster, more cost-effective, and less invasive recovery pathway.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, and patients suffering from focal cartilage lesions or early-stage osteoarthritis.

Industry Verticals

["Medical Devices","Orthopedics","Regenerative Medicine","Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)"]

Competitors

Miach Orthopaedics, Nurami Medical, OssDsign, 4WEB Medical

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Transitioned from R&D to clinical-stage with FDA and Health Canada regulatory pathways secured; team size expanded to 11-50 employees; initiated first-in-human clinical trial in Canada in 2026; closed $4.1M Seed Prime II round bringing total raised to $11.3M; planning $20M Series A in Q3 2026.

Major Milestones

["Secured FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for ChondroCore","Received Health Canada approval for first-in-human clinical trials","Successfully closed $4M Series A in 2024 to fund clinical entry","Initiated human clinical trials for 3D-printed knee implants in early 2026","Closed $4.1M Seed Prime II funding round in January 2026","Partnership with ProVoyance for MRI-based preoperative surgical planning software announced January 2026","Planning $20M Series A funding round in Q3 2026"]

Notable Customers

Health Canada (Clinical Trial Partner); U.S. Food and Drug Administration (IDE Pathway)

https://nanochon.com

Recent coverage of Nanochon

Nanochon secured $4.1M in funding to launch first-in-human trials for its 3D-printed knee implant.Jan 15, 2026

Why this company matters

Nanochon is a Washington, D.C.-based medical device company developing a 3D-printed synthetic cartilage implant for knee repair. Founded in 2016, the company targets an alternative to traditional metal or plastic joint replacements by offering a porous, biocompatible scaffold that mimics the mechanical properties of natural cartilage while allowing patient cells to infiltrate and regenerate tissue. This positions Nanochon in the regenerative orthopedics space, distinct from conventional implant makers and cell therapy providers.

The core product, Chondrograft™, is a 3D-printed knee implant made from a proprietary polyurethane and ceramic nanocomposite. The material is load-bearing and mechanically matched to human cartilage, designed for a one-step, minimally invasive surgical procedure. Unlike lab-grown cell therapies that require two-step processes, Nanochon's scaffold acts as a permanent structure that promotes cellular regrowth, potentially delaying or eliminating the need for total knee replacement.

Nanochon targets orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists treating patients with focal cartilage lesions or early-stage osteoarthritis. The company has secured FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and Health Canada approval for a Phase I clinical trial, a 10-patient early feasibility study evaluating safety and efficacy in knee cartilage restoration. Key partnerships include UCSF Rosenman Institute, Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS), and the University of Virginia Licensing & Ventures Group.

The company has raised $11.3 million from investors including Cultivate(MD) Capital Funds, Alumni Ventures, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. With a team of 11-50 employees, Nanochon has transitioned from R&D to clinical-stage development. Its competitive differentiation lies in combining a synthetic, 3D-printable scaffold with a single-step surgical procedure, offering a faster and less invasive recovery pathway compared to autologous cell therapies or aragonite-based implants from competitors like Vericel and CartiHeal.