The good news has kept on coming in 2023 for Orlando’s Limbitless Solutions.
After landing a grant from Unity in April, the UCF-grown company announced this week that it had followed that up with a grant from Epic Games.
The grant will support Limbitless’ development of a video game-like trainer that helps children with “limb differences” learn how to use prosthetics.
Limbitless has become one of the top businesses producing functional 3D-printed prosthetics for those who are missing limbs since it launched out of UCF in 2014.
“We have some of the most creative and amazing undergraduate students in the world,” said Matt Dombrowski, head of creative arts and media at Limbitless Solutions.
“It is icing on the cake to continue to achieve the funding to help them help others,” he continued.
The Limbitless team
Limbitless Solutions works with a core team of four, including Dombrowski and cofounder and president Albert Manero.
However, the company also offers experience to a group of interns every semester.
This fall’s class of 53 interns was also announced this week, with the students studying in a variety of majors, including game design, health and science, engineering and animation.
The Limbitless story has been well documented, ever since Robert Downey Jr., Hollywood’s “Iron Man,” sat down with a child who received an Iron Man-themed prosthetic in 2014.
The company relies heavily on grant funding, so landing the grant from Epic will support its mission.
“My validation comes from seeing the success of my students,” Dombrowski said. “I feel so much pride when I can take the funding and support a young creative.”
Epic Games, known for developing the blockbuster game Fortnite as well as the Unreal game engine, has awarded more than 1,800 Epic MegaGrants since it launched the program in 2019.
The grant will support the development of a party-style game in Unreal Engine. The multiplayer experience will allow gameplay with friends and family.
The goal is to help kids learn how to use their so-called “bionic arms” using gamification methods.
Since 2015, Limbitless has worked with more than 300 interns. Alumni have gone on to work at companies like Electronic Arts, Naughty Dog and Sony.