# Maria Bennett

> Maria Bennett is a biomedical engineer, inventor, and Cleveland medtech founder who turned research from her 1998 Case Western Reserve University master's thesis into SPR Therapeutics. After clinical and R&D roles at NeuroControl, Boston Scientific, and NDI Medical, she founded SPR in 2010, led the SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulation system from research to commercialization, and remained President and CEO as Medtronic completed its approximately $650 million acquisition of SPR in July 2026.

- **Role:** President, CEO, and Founder at SPR
- **Organizations:** SPR Therapeutics, NDI Medical, Boston Scientific, NeuroControl Corporation, Case Western Reserve University, Miami University
- **Education:** BS, Engineering Management, Miami University (Ohio), MS, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University
- **Known for:** Founded SPR Therapeutics in 2010 and led it from research-stage work through commercialization., Invented the SPRINT PNS System and is named on multiple issued and pending patents., Led SPR through a completed acquisition by Medtronic for approximately $650 million in upfront cash.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Completed a master's degree in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University; the research became the technical root of SPR's later work.
- **Late 1990s-early 2000s** — Worked at NeuroControl Corporation in clinical studies and R&D, including neurostimulation work related to post-stroke shoulder pain.
- **2000s** — Joined Boston Scientific and led a large multicenter clinical trial for an angioplasty-balloon product that obtained FDA clearance.
- **Before 2008** — Returned to Cleveland as Vice President of Clinical Affairs at NDI Medical and contributed to development of a neurostimulation system.
- **2008** — NDI Medical's neurostimulation business was acquired by Medtronic.
- **2009-2010** — Revisited her graduate-school concept, performed market-validation work, and identified an unmet need.
- **2010** — Founded SPR Therapeutics and became its President and CEO.
- **2016** — SPR received FDA clearance and began the transition from research-stage organization to commercialization.
- **2021** — Received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year East Central regional award.
- **2024** — Delivered a Miami University alumni conference keynote titled 'The Winding Road of Entrepreneurship - Translating Technology to an Impactful Business.'
- **2026** — SPR reported surpassing 50,000 patients treated and earned its fifth consecutive Northeast Ohio Top Workplace recognition.
- **2026-07** — Medtronic completed its acquisition of SPR for an upfront cash payment of approximately $650 million.

## Achievements

- Founded SPR Therapeutics in 2010 and led it from research-stage work through commercialization.
- Invented the SPRINT PNS System and is named on multiple issued and pending patents.
- Led SPR through a completed acquisition by Medtronic for approximately $650 million in upfront cash.
- Received the 2021 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year East Central regional award.
- Led a Boston Scientific multicenter clinical trial that supported FDA clearance of an angioplasty-balloon product.
- Helped develop a neurostimulation system at NDI Medical before that business was acquired by Medtronic in 2008.
- Built SPR through the milestone of more than 50,000 patients treated, as reported by the company in 2026.
- Served as an elected school-board member and vice president in her community.
- Led SPR as it received five consecutive Northeast Ohio Top Workplace recognitions through 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Medtronic completed its acquisition of SPR for approximately $650 million in upfront cash.
- **2026-07** — Bennett appeared as a panelist at ASPN 2026 in a session on building category-defining pain and spine companies.
- **2026-06** — SPR ranked among the top ten midsize employers in Northeast Ohio and received its fifth consecutive regional Top Workplace recognition.
- **2026-04** — SPR received a USA TODAY Top Workplaces recognition for a second consecutive year; the company said it had passed 50,000 patients treated.
- **2026-03** — Case Western Reserve University featured Bennett's path from graduate research to building SPR.

## Links

- Website: https://sprpainrelief.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-bennett-75909511
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/sprintpns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sprintpns

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/maria-bennett
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27