From University Research to Life-Saving Tech: The Story of NEEM Rwanda

For thousands of people living with diabetes in Rwanda, a minor foot injury can lead to a life-changing amputation. However, a significant shift is occurring in how these complications are managed. By merging clinical research from the University of Rwanda with cutting-edge wearable technology, the startup NEEM is providing a proactive solution to a crisis that has long burdened the national healthcare system. Their mission is simple: to use smart data to ensure that no patient has to lose their mobility to a preventable ulcer.

Who is NEEM?

Founded in 2024 at the University of Rwanda’s ACEIoT incubation hub, NEEM (formerly Neem Company Ltd) is a Rwandan medtech firm dedicated to preventing diabetic foot ulcers and amputations. Co-founded by Prisca Nikuze, the startup is supported by a high-level coalition including the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, RISA, and the UNDP. NEEM solidified its role in the ecosystem by securing 2nd place at Hanga PitchFest 2025 (with a 20,000,000 Rwf grant) and winning the ALX "Do the Hard Things" AI Challenge.

Currently, the firm has transitioned from prototype to product refinement, utilizing its recent funding to enhance hardware durability for rural environments and pursue rigorous clinical validation for integration into national insurance schemes.

The Smart Insole Stack

The core of the innovation is the NEEM Smart Insole, a biomechanical wearable designed to fit inside standard footwear. This device serves as a 24/7 "digital guardian" using a sophisticated hardware-software loop:

• Precision Pressure Mapping: The insole is embedded with a high-sensitivity sensor array that monitors "plantar pressure", the weight distribution on the sole of the foot which is the primary indicator of ulcer risk.
• IoT & Mobile Integration: Using a low-power Bluetooth module, the insole transmits real-time data to a mobile application, allowing for continuous monitoring outside of hospital settings.
• AI-Driven Early Warnings: Integrated with AI-based predictive models, the system identifies "hotspots" or sustained high pressure before skin breakdown occurs, triggering an immediate alert for the patient and their healthcare provider.
• Custom 3D-Molding: NEEM utilizes advanced 3D printing to create custom molds based on the specific shape of a patient’s foot, ensuring that sensors are positioned perfectly for maximum diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.

NEEM represents the best of Rwanda’s "Homegrown Solutions," transforming a university research project into a life-saving commercial tool. In describing the startup's mission, Co-founder Prisca Nikuze has stated that the goal is not just about technology, but about:

"strengthening the capacity to deliver a meaningful, lasting impact in diabetic care."

By focusing on early detection that fits effortlessly into a patient's daily routine, NEEM aims to reduce hospitalizations and ease the burden on the entire health system. As they move forward, the team remains committed to their founding principle: preserving independence and restoring dignity to thousands of diabetic patients across the continent.