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§ Private Profile · Lincoln, NE, USA
Virtual Incision is a technology company.
Virtual Incision develops the MIRA Surgical System, the world's first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery (miniRAS) platform. This compact system integrates into existing hospital infrastructure, aiming to expand access to advanced surgical robotics. MIRA's approach enables precise procedures through small incisions, intending to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Co-founded by Shane Farritor, PhD, MS, Chief Technology Officer, and Dmitry Oleynikov, MD, FACS, Chief Surgeon, the company's genesis came from recognizing limitations of large robotic surgical systems. Their insight highlighted how these constraints restricted widespread patient access, fueling their commitment to engineer a more accessible, flexible solution.
Virtual Incision's product serves patients, surgeons, and healthcare facilities by democratizing robotic-assisted surgery. The company’s vision is to miniaturize surgical robotics, ensuring broader population benefits from its advantages. Their long-term goal is to accelerate technology adoption, either complementing existing systems or operating independently, making advanced surgical tools more widely available.
Virtual Incision has raised $109.2M across 5 funding rounds.
Virtual Incision has raised $109.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Virtual Incision has raised $109.2M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series C Extension in September 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2023 | $30M Series C Plus | Thomas Shehab, MD, MMM, Baird Capital, Bluestem Capital, Cultivate(md), Endeavour Vision, AMY LEN, Prairiegold Venture Partners | — | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2021 | $46M Series C | Baird Capital, ROB Barmann | S3 Ventures, Bluestem Capital | Announced |
| Jan 8, 2020 | $20M Series B | Steve Kirby | Genesis Innovation Group, Prairiegold Venture Partners | Announced |
| Aug 6, 2015 | $11.2M Venture Round | Steve Kirby | Michael Jerstad | Announced |
| Oct 29, 2010 | $2M Series A | Bluestem Capital, Prairiegold Venture Partners | — | Announced |
Virtual Incision has raised $109.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Virtual Incision's investors include Thomas Shehab, MD, MMM, Baird Capital, Bluestem Capital, cultivate(MD), Endeavour Vision, Amy Len, PrairieGold Venture Partners, Rob Barmann, S3 Ventures, Steve Kirby, Genesis Innovation Group, Michael Jerstad.
Virtual Incision is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based medical device company developing MIRA, the world's first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system designed for minimally invasive procedures like colectomies.[1][2][4][5][6] MIRA serves surgeons and patients in hospitals and facilities lacking large RAS infrastructure, solving the problem of limited access—currently under 10% of U.S. operating rooms have mainframe systems—by enabling setup in any room without specialized docking or draping.[1][2][4] The company has achieved FDA approval for adult colectomies, completed key clinical studies including IDE for bowel resections and hysterectomy trials, and demonstrated remote surgery capabilities, signaling strong growth momentum with expansions into gynecology, urology, and general surgery.[1][3][4][5]
Holding over 200 patents, Virtual Incision's mission is to make every operating room RAS-ready, broadening access to precise, minimally invasive surgery for soft tissue procedures.[1][3][5][6]
Virtual Incision emerged from a university collaboration between co-founders Shane Farritor, PhD, a robotics engineer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), and Dmitry Oleynikov, MD, a former University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) surgeon.[5][7] The idea stemmed from reimagining surgical robotics to overcome the bulkiness and inaccessibility of existing mainframe systems, focusing on miniaturization for broader adoption.[2][5][6]
Early traction included the world's first surgery with MIRA in 2021, NASA tests aboard the International Space Station, and FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) completion in 2023 for bowel resections.[1][2][7] Pivotal moments encompass FDA marketing approval for colectomies in 2024, a 2024 remote surgery demonstration spanning 40,000 miles, and recognition as No. 8 in Fast Company's 2025 most innovative medical device companies.[3][4][5]
Virtual Incision rides the RAS market expansion trend, where adoption lags for soft tissue surgeries despite proven benefits, as less than 10% of operating rooms are equipped amid rising demand for minimally invasive options.[1][2] Timing aligns with post-pandemic decentralization of care, remote surgery potential (e.g., 2024 demos), and space tech crossovers like ISS testing, accelerating miniaturization amid labor shortages and facility constraints.[3][7]
Market forces favoring it include cost barriers of legacy systems (e.g., Intuitive Surgical's dominance) and regulatory wins enabling commercialization, positioning MIRA to capture underserved segments like rural and ambulatory centers.[1][4][5] It influences the ecosystem by democratizing robotics, fostering miniRAS standards, and inspiring procedure-specific innovations for millions more annual surgeries.[2][3]
Virtual Incision is primed for broader commercialization, with regulatory submissions for gynecology underway and roadmap expansions into urology and solid organ surgery.[4] Trends like telesurgery integration (via partners like Sovato), AI-enhanced precision, and global access will shape its path, potentially disrupting the $10B+ RAS market.[3]
Its influence may evolve from niche innovator to platform leader, enabling "RAS anywhere" and tying back to its core mission: transforming limited access into universal availability for safer, patient-centric surgery.[1][6]