On-Belay Medical is gaining steam in the medical device industry with its unique business model, according to WBIR.com.
Here are five insights:
1. On-Belay Medical — coined as such to mean 'one secured by another' — came about in 2011.
2. Founder Mark Slaughter came up with the idea to convert medical device profits into philanthropy after his son was sent to the ER during a football practice.
3. The idea is to turn over those profits for charity, such as feeding the hungry and disease research.
4. So far, On-Belay is operating in five states and has donated $300,000. Additionally the company has donated 33 million medical implants.
5. Jay Crawford, MD, of Knoxville-based East Tennessee Children's Hospital, is an early supporter of the company's mission. He told WBIR.com: "The traditional business model for providing implants generates lots of profits that go other places and On-Belay helps us keep that here in East Tennessee…"