Kemisola Bolarinwa has had a knack for innovation from a young age. She is driven by a passion to make a difference in her community. No wonder she’s revolutionising health monitoring as the CEO of Nextwear Technology (Nextwear), Nigeria’s pioneering wearable tech startup.
Nigerians face numerous health challenges, from limited access to quality healthcare to inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of medical professionals. Amidst these challenges, Kemisola Bolarinwa is driving transformative change. Through disruptive innovation, she harnesses wearable technology to improve health outcomes, providing affordable and accessible solutions for early health monitoring and detection.
Growing up in Nigeria, the innovator was captivated by math, physics, and chemistry. Her interest in STEM led her to join the Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) club at St. Helen’s Unity Secondary School, Ondo. That early exposure to science laid the foundation for her future successes.
She would later pursue Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Ado-Ekiti, equipping herself with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive meaningful change in healthcare technology. But at school, she discovers the gender gap in STEM fields, igniting her resolve to empower girls and women in STEM.
Her vision for Nextwear follows her personal experience with healthcare inequality in Nigeria. Her aunt’s tragic passing due to a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis further fuels her resolve. She recognises the urgent need for innovative solutions to address healthcare disparities.
“Our goal is to create a world where every individual has access to affordable technology for early health monitoring and detection.”- says Kemisola Bolarinwa, Founder of Nextwear.
Nextwear combines cutting-edge ultrasound and AI technology to create a game-changing diagnostic device, the Smart Bra Cup Diagnostics Device. This novel innovation embodies Bolarinwa’s commitment to harnessing technology for social impact.
The company’s flagship device utilises cutting-edge technology for accurate, non-invasive, and painless breast cancer detection. By making diagnostic technology accessible and affordable, Nextwear aims to reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
This intervention has earned Bolarinwa several recognitions, including the UN Women Recognition Award. The UN recognises its commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through innovative technology. Most recently, she received the Health Tech Innovation of the Year Award at the Africa Tech Festival.
The founder’s journey as a female innovator in Nigeria’s tech industry did not come without challenges. She faces obstacles stemming from gender bias and limited resources. However, she successfully leverages these challenges as opportunities for growth, navigating Nigeria’s complex healthcare system through perseverance and strategic partnerships.
As Nextwear Technologies expands globally, Kemisola aims to make advanced healthcare technology accessible to underserved communities worldwide.
Kemisola Bolarinwa’s remarkable journey influences Nigeria’s health tech landscape. Through Nextwear Technologies, she demonstrates the transformative power of technology in improving healthcare outcomes.
As an inspiration for women in STEM, Kemisola Blarinwa inspires a new generation of innovators. Her commitment to equitable healthcare access creates a lasting impact. Her invention proves the potential for female innovators in Africa. As Nextwear continues to push boundaries, her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and transform lives.
