Samantha Payne MBE

Linklaters Founder of the Year

The Linklaters Founder of the Year was presented by Kath Tregenna to Samantha Payne MBE, co-founder and COO of Open Bionics, a UK-based company that develops medical devices that enhance the human body, including low-cost, 3D printed bionic arms. Open Bionics created Kath Tregenna’s bionic limbs, a teacher with bionic arms and legs who survived sepsis, and who was awarded Woman of Courage Award in 2022.

Samantha Payne said “At Open Bionics we are on a mission to develop assistive technologies that enhance the human body. I’m honoured to be recognised as Linklaters founder of the year, and grateful for our community, engineering, clinical, production, and support teams, who make this magic happen. Watch this space – there’s more innovation to come!”

Aedamar Comiskey, Senior Managing Partner at Linklaters: “We were delighted to award Samantha with our Female Founder of the Year Award. Her unwavering dedication to innovation and the transformative impact this has had on the lives of amputees is truly inspiring. A privilege to spend an afternoon with a group of such impressive women – what terrific role models for future female leaders and entrepreneurs.”