Scottish taxpayer backs Edinburgh wearable device maker to tune of £3 million
“Scotland has provided a strong foundation for Bioliberty, offering access to world‑class engineering talent and a highly collaborative research environment” – Rowan Armstrong, CEO, Bioliberty
An Edinburgh venture behind technology that supports physical rehabilitation is expanding, having secured £7.7 million of funding, including £3m from the taxpayer-backed Scottish National Investment Bank.
Bioliberty, which is headquartered at the National Robotarium in Edinburgh, is behind a tech platform that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with soft‑robotic wearable devices that can help therapists deliver higher‑intensity therapy while capturing data on patient recovery.
The funding will support continued product development and manufacturing in Scotland and will enable further commercial expansion in the US, where the company’s technology is already used in several leading rehabilitation facilities.
Bioliberty, which emerged from the University of Edinburgh, has secured a total of £7.7m of investment over the last ten months.
The most recent £6.2m series A investment was led by £3m from the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), alongside participation from existing investors Archangels, Eos Advisory, Old College Capital, and Hanna Capital SEZC, as well as new investor Conduit Connect.
The full series A round is expected to close later this year. This follows a £1.5m pre-series A round in mid-2025 from the existing investor group.
Rowan Armstrong, co‑founder and chief executive of Bioliberty, said: “This investment allows us to significantly expand our capabilities, from advancing how we measure patient recovery using computer vision and AI‑driven assessments, to extending our product into patients’ homes.
“Scotland has provided a strong foundation for Bioliberty, offering access to world‑class engineering talent and a highly collaborative research environment. This funding will enable us to grow our team in Scotland, create high‑value jobs, and continue building technology here that supports better rehabilitation outcomes.”
The company has its manufacturing undertaken in Fife. It opened its US headquarters in Boston in 2025, supporting its international operations while maintaining core product development activity in Scotland.
Ailsa Young, investment director at SNIB, said: “Bioliberty’s founders are ambitious, talented, and have developed an impressive solution to meet the needs of patients against the backdrop of rising healthcare costs and a strain on delivery.
“Our investment in this IP-rich company aligns to our innovation mission, helping Bioliberty to scale its technology internationally and further strengthen its home-grown excellence in robotics and AI. Critically, their products and solutions deliver tangible benefits to patients.
“We are pleased to help them scale their rollout and to help solidify Scotland’s healthtech and AI expertise, building on our recognised engineering heritage and research excellence.”
Shaolei McKie, senior investment manager, Archangels, said: “Archangels has supported Bioliberty, alongside our syndicate partners, since early 2023 through its initial product development and early commercialisation.
“The founding team has developed technology with genuine clinical value and real potential to scale into global markets, and they have consistently executed against a clear plan. We are excited to work with the Scottish National Investment Bank and new investors to help deliver the next phase of growth for the company.”
Last month, the Scottish National Investment Bank hailed a £1 billion milestone after unveiling its latest funding deal. The bank, which marked its fifth anniversary in November last year, is wholly owned by Scottish Government ministers, on behalf of Scottish taxpayers, but operates independently from government.
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