As we approach the end of this year—literally, since this blog post is published on the last day of the year—we want to share some personal reflections from all of the Madglove team members.
This year will forever remain in our minds and hearts. And you might ask, what made this year so special? Wouldn’t 2025 be more transformative since it marks the official market launch of our rehabilitation glove?
Yes… and no.
Let us dive deeper into it.
As a startup, we know more than anyone how important it is to appreciate every milestone, even the smallest ones along the journey. Because at the end of the day, these small wins, small actions, and small achievements are what lead to the end result. They create the bigger picture.
Therefore, even though 2025 will indeed be the year of the official launch of our glove, this year was packed with behind-the-scenes work that will blossom in the months ahead. So, stay tuned!
But what exactly has been happening over the last 12 months, and how does it all lead up to the launch of our functional orthosis?
Let’s go back to the beginning of the year, to our insightful testing sessions with the team at Heckert en van Lierop in March. These sessions provided us with an immense amount of feedback on our prototype. Beyond refining our product, we also expanded our digital presence with the launch of a brand-new website, brought to life by the incredible talent of Jim Ekanem. Jim turned our vision into reality, and we’re so grateful for his creativity.
Our team grew, too! We welcomed Olga, our marketing and social media manager, who’s behind all the posts you see on our social channels. Sitah, our Chief Product Officer and co-founder, also joined us full-time, marking a new chapter in our company’s journey.
Here’s what Sitah had to say about her year at Madglove:
“Looking back on 2024, it’s clear this year has been transformative for our company. It’s been a year of significant milestones, both professionally and personally, as we’ve evolved into a stronger, more cohesive team. One of the standout moments for me was rejoining the team full-time in August. That transition marked not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to celebrate with the entire team and all those who have supported us along the way. It was a moment of reflection and excitement for what’s to come.
In addition to personal achievements, we’ve made tremendous strides as a company. This year, we deepened relationships within our community, fostering meaningful connections that have strengthened our foundation. We’ve also been able to expand our user base, a milestone that highlights the trust and value our audience places in what we do. Looking ahead, I’m so excited about building on this momentum and continuing to grow, innovate, and connect.”
This year also reminded us why we do what we do. Our trip to the Paris 2024 Paralympics was a standout moment. Witnessing incredible athletes inspired us to stay true to our mission of making disability another aspect of diversity. It was a humbling and motivating experience that brought us closer to the people we’re creating the glove for.
As Tobi shared, “Personally, the standout moment of the year was visiting An, one of our glove testers. That conversation will always light a fire under me as motivation and encouragement.”
Collaborating with Loth Fabenim, participating in events like the Dutch Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and expanding our partnerships further solidified our commitment to innovation in rehabilitation.
Looking back, we’re proud of the milestones we’ve achieved, but we’re also motivated by the lessons we’ve learned. These experiences have shown us the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and persistence. As we prepare for 2025, these values will continue to guide us.
Next year marks a significant chapter for Madglove: the official launch of our glove. After years of research, prototyping, and refinement, we are thrilled to bring this innovation to market. We’re excited about the possibilities this launch represents—not just for us, but for the individuals whose lives we hope to impact.
Our goal has always been to create tools that make a difference, and 2025 will be the year we take this mission to the next level.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support, feedback, and encouragement have been invaluable, and we’re so grateful to have you with us. Stay tuned for more updates and developments in the coming months. Here’s to a transformative 2025!
