Greater Winston-Salem Inc. is excited to announce that Ricoh 3D for Healthcare has been awarded the first BioNest Fund grant, which will support the company’s expansion of research and development facilities in Winston-Salem. 

The BioNest Fund was launched in September by Greater Winston-Salem Inc. in partnership with the Whitaker Park Development Authority. It provides up to $25,000 per company to stimulate growth for innovative life sciences firms relocating to or expanding in Winston-Salem. The program bridges a funding gap for early-stage biotech companies that may not meet traditional public incentive thresholds. 

Ricoh 3D for Healthcare will use the BioNest grant to expand its R&D and prototyping capabilities, growing its footprint within the Innovation Quarter. The team plans to expand into an adjacent lab facility to complement its current space in the Innovation Studio of One Technology Place, accommodating both internal product development and partner contract manufacturing. 

Ricoh 3D for Healthcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh USA, Inc. The company develops FDA-cleared, patient-specific medical devices and partners with hospitals and MedTech innovators to manufacture next-generation personalized solutions. 

The Winston-Salem expansion will enhance R&D and prototyping capabilities. It is also expected to generate up to six full-time jobs and support paid internships with Wake Forest University, Forsyth Tech, post-doctoral research opportunities, and Ph.D. fellowships. 

“This grant supports our continued growth in Winston-Salem and strengthens our collaboration with the region’s outstanding academic and healthcare institutions,” says Ryan Hess, Senior Director of Products for Ricoh 3D for Healthcare. “Being located in the Innovation Quarter has been beneficial to our collaborations with key partners, which has quickly helped us reach this next step of growth.” 

“Ricoh 3D for Healthcare exemplifies the type of high-growth company that the BioNest Fund is designed to support,” says Ellis Keifer, Vice President of Economic Development for Greater Winston-Salem Inc. “Their expansion demonstrates how Winston-Salem’s life sciences ecosystem is driving innovation, creating quality jobs, and improving patient outcomes nationwide.” 

Ricoh 3D for Healthcare’s Winston-Salem facility is already producing two FDA-cleared Class II devices under two 510(k) clearances, with another 510(k) clearance pending. The expanded R&D space will support development of an additional portfolio of FDA-cleared medical devices.