Phoenix, AZ (November 20, 2025) – What began as an engineering project at Tulane University has grown into one of the most innovative startups in surgical simulation — and it’s now thriving in Downtown Phoenix.
The idea originated when Benjamin Knapp collaborated with a team of surgeons who were frustrated by the limitations of traditional training materials. At the time, many medical residents were using animal tissue or samples from butcher shops to practice procedures. When the surgeons asked if there might be a better option, Knapp took on the challenge.
After seeing early success, Knapp brought in classmate Hannah Eherenfeldt, who was working with a biotech business incubator on commercialization strategies. They turned the project into a scalable company, ReSuture, that now partners with multinational corporations and medical device companies worldwide.
Founded in 2019, ReSuture focuses on designing and manufacturing realistic synthetic veins, arteries, and organs that allow surgeons to practice complex procedures before ever entering the operating room. “We make fake veins and arteries so surgeons can practice surgery before operating on a patient. Our goal is to give physicians the most realistic training experience possible,” Eherenfeldt said.
Unlike competitors that produce generic or purely digital models, ReSuture focuses on replicating specific disease states and surgical complications, giving doctors a true-to-life experience that goes far beyond virtual reality. “We recreate what surgeons actually see in the operating room. Our models include diseased tissue, blockages, and other conditions that make procedures realistic — so surgeons are fully prepared for what they’ll face,” Eherenfeldt said.
Currently, ReSuture is preparing to launch its first standardized surgical training platform, shifting from custom-designed models to a versatile system that can serve the entire medical device industry.
Long term, ReSuture is developing surgical data analytics technology — including embedded sensors and machine learning algorithms that analyze a surgeon’s hand movements and applied forces during a procedure. This innovation will allow for quantifiable skill assessment and enhanced training feedback.
Although their journey began in New Orleans, Knapp and Eherenfeldt chose to build in Phoenix — a decision they say was driven by the city’s thriving bioscience ecosystem and supportive innovation community. “Phoenix offered the perfect environment for both manufacturing and R&D. The city’s business community has been incredibly supportive, and it’s the right place for a med tech company like ours to grow alongside the industry,” Knapp said.
As part of the XLR8 PBC F25 Cohort, the founders have benefited from the strong networking and mentorship opportunities in Phoenix that the program has provided. “The connections we’ve made through XLR8 have been invaluable. It’s exciting to see how the ecosystem here is evolving — and we’re proud to be part of that growth,” said Eherenfeldt.
About the Phoenix Bioscience Core
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is a 30-acre life sciences innovation district located in downtown Phoenix. It hosts Arizona’s three public research universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—as well as leading genomics pioneers like the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of the City of Hope, and the International Genomics Consortium. The PBC also collaborates with major healthcare systems, including Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Phoenix VA, and Valleywise Health, alongside a growing number of emerging life science companies. This unique concentration of research scientists and healthcare professionals fosters unprecedented collaborations, advancing precision medicine from discovery to delivery. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com
About XLR8 PBC
XLR8 PBC is a program for scale-ready companies seeking the capital, experience, and validation to move to the next level. Focusing on helping founders/CEO’s tell an investment story, find experienced executives, and sign partner deals that matter most to investors. Ideal applicants have a validated product or solution, early traction in the market, and are seeking strategic partnerships, mentorship, and investor connections to accelerate their growth. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com/xlr8
By: Madisson Simental | November 20, 2025