# Mendaera, Inc.

> Mendaera is a Silicon Valley healthcare technology company building Focalist, a fist-sized handheld robotic system that pairs real-time ultrasound imaging with robotic needle guidance and AI to make precise, needle-based procedures more accessible across specialties. Founded in 2020 by Josh DeFonzo and Jason Wilson, both alumni of Auris Health, and backed by Intuitive Surgical and Auris co-founder Dr. Fred Moll, the company aims to move robotics beyond the operating room and into the everyday procedures that make up the bulk of medicine.

- **Founded:** 2020
- **Headquarters:** San Mateo, California, United States
- **Founders:** Josh DeFonzo (Co-Founder & CEO), Jason Wilson (Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer)
- **Team size:** Approximately 83 employees
- **Products:** Focalist, Interventional platform
- **Notable:** Received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Focalist handheld robotic system for ultrasound-guided needle placement (July 2025)., Performed the world's first procedures with a handheld robotic system, including PCNL kidney access at Mayo Clinic Arizona (2025)., Raised approximately $97M in total funding, including a $73M Series B led by Threshold Ventures (September 2024).

## Products & services

- **Focalist** — A handheld robotic system that integrates real-time ultrasound imaging, robotic needle positioning, touchscreen targeting and continuous needle depth-tracking to improve precision in ultrasound-guided needle placement across diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
- **Interventional platform** — A broader platform combining handheld robotics, AI, real-time imaging and virtual connectivity - designed to be accessible across specialties and sites of service to meet growing demand for needle-based interventions.

## Achievements

- Received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Focalist handheld robotic system for ultrasound-guided needle placement (July 2025).
- Performed the world's first procedures with a handheld robotic system, including PCNL kidney access at Mayo Clinic Arizona (2025).
- Raised approximately $97M in total funding, including a $73M Series B led by Threshold Ventures (September 2024).
- Backed by Dr. Fred Moll, co-founder of Intuitive Surgical and Auris Health.

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Announced the world's first procedures with the Focalist handheld robotic system, including PCNL kidney access at Mayo Clinic Arizona.
- **2025-07** — Received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Focalist handheld robotic system; full commercialization expected in 2026.
- **2024-09** — Closed $73M Series B financing led by Threshold Ventures to scale robotics and AI across mainstream medical procedures.

## Links

- Website: https://mendaera.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mendaera-inc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mendaera-inc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-11