EDINBURGH, Scotland, April 29, 2026 — Metacarpal, the Edinburgh-based medical device company and creators of the world’s first multi-articulated body-powered prosthetic hand, celebrates a landmark milestone as Founder and CEO Fergal Mackie earns a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Science and Healthcare list for 2026. The recognition arrives as Metacarpal accelerates its commercial push into the United States and Canada, backed by FDA registration, 40 active users, and a host of investors.
Forbes recognized Fergal Mackie, 28, alongside researchers, doctors, and entrepreneurs improving healthcare and building the hardware of the future. The honor reflects not only the company’s rapid commercial traction since launching sales in September 2025, but also the human story at the heart of Metacarpal’s mission. Before his final year at the University of Strathclyde, Fergal Mackie broke both wrists and was forced to rethink how he completed everyday tasks. That experience gave him something no laboratory could replicate: a firsthand understanding of what upper-limb amputees actually need.
“Being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list is a reminder of why we started this company,” said Fergal Mackie, Founder and CEO of Metacarpal. “The prosthetics industry has spent decades chasing complexity, and millions of people have simply stopped using devices that don’t work for their lives. We built GEM because amputees deserve a hand that works every single time, that they can trust and rely upon.”
With 41,000 Americans living with major upper-limb amputations and 50% of upper-limb prosthetic users abandoning their devices, the North American market represents a largely unserved opportunity. Despite decades of innovations in robotic hands, hooks have remained the most popular devices. Users have been telling the industry that they value reliable performance and durability over complex features.
Metacarpal’s flagship device, the GEM Hand, addresses this gap directly. Powered by the user’s own body motion through patented Reactive Grasp Technology, the GEM Hand delivers multiple grip patterns, immediate proportional pressure feedback, and long-term reliability without electronic components, batteries, or complex control systems. For the first time, prosthetic users have access to advanced abilities without compromising their performance or control.
David Bowie, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Metacarpal, brings 35 years of MedTech experience to the company’s leadership. His confidence in Metacarpal’s potential led him from an early advisory role to a formal position as a non-executive director and investor in late 2021.
“In the five years I have known Fergal Mackie, he has continued to grow as a leader, building a team of recognized, credible people with the experience and expertise to compete at the highest level,” said David Bowie, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Metacarpal. “What he has built at Metacarpal has the potential to change the landscape and functionality of prosthetics and bring this technology to the people who need it most. It is a valuable and exciting journey to be part of.”
Erica Karlson, North American Director of Metacarpal, leads the U.S. rollout of the GEM Hand and brings more than 18 years of device sales experience to the company’s expansion, with nearly 12 years focused specifically on upper-limb prosthetic solutions. Karlson builds clinical and distributor networks, leads prosthetist training, and channels user feedback to drive adoption of GEM across North America.
“I’ve seen firsthand the level of focus, drive, and intention behind what we’re building, and it’s exciting to be part of it,” said Erica Karlson, North American Director of Metacarpal. “What Fergal Mackie and this team have accomplished in Europe is already creating real momentum in the U.S. market, and everything that is ahead for this company is something I am proud to be leading from the North American side.”
Metacarpal has secured $2.7 million from investors, including SIS Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, Worth Capital, and Oxford Technology, and operates out of the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, one of Europe’s leading robotics and AI research facilities. The company’s long-term vision extends beyond North America, with plans to bring its technology to developing countries and conflict zones where access to reliable, affordable prosthetics remains critically limited.
Mackie was selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in April 2026, and featured among some of the region’s best professionals dedicated to science and health. A panel of expert judges drawn from venture capital, entrepreneurship, and industry leadership chose the winners based on innovation, impact, and the potential to shape their field. The full Science and Healthcare list is available at forbes.com.
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