The SenseAI sensorised glove and its mobile app are revolutionising breast self-examination, making it more intuitive and accurate.
Created by the start-up CleoCare and co-financed by COMPETE 2030, the SenseAI sensorised glove and its mobile app are revolutionising breast self-examination, making it more intuitive and accurate.
An idea born from a personal story
It all started with a family experience. Francisco Nogueira, a biomedical engineering graduate, saw a cousin detect a lump while performing a breast self-examination — but, due to underestimation, she only sought medical help later, when the diagnosis of breast cancer was already a reality.
Faced with this situation, Francisco decided to take action. Together with his friend Frederico Stock, an optometrist and manager, he began developing a technological solution that would help women perform self-examinations with confidence and regularity. Thus, SenseGlove, now SenseAI, was born, a smart glove equipped with piezoelectric sensors capable of identifying variations in the texture of breast tissue.
Frederico Stock, Co-founder & CFO/COO of the start-up, recalls that “the support of COMPETE 2030 was absolutely crucial to the development of our project”, ensuring that the technology left the laboratory and reached women.
From idea to device
The glove connects to a mobile application that guides women step by step through the examination, records data, analyses results and monitors progress over time. Through simple questions — related to the menstrual cycle, stress or hormonal changes — the app contextualises the variations detected, making the process more personalised and accurate.
With co-financing from COMPETE 2030, the team also developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that complements medical interpretation, contributing to more efficient and informed early detection.
According to Frederico Stock, this support has made it possible to accelerate development, validate the technology and take a decisive step towards making prevention and early detection available to all women, at a time when investment in health is particularly challenging.
CleoCare, innovation with purpose
Founded in Braga, the Portuguese start-up is undergoing a phase of growth and internationalisation and has been recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The name change from Glooma to CleoCare reflects the maturity of the solution and its commitment to women’s health.
Inspired by Cleopatra, a pioneer in women’s medicine, the brand symbolises intelligence, care and self-knowledge. The mission is clear: to empower women through prevention.
“We still have a long way to go, but the support of COMPETE 2030 was essential in this initial start-up phase,” emphasises Frederico Stock.
A new paradigm in prevention
The SenseAI project demonstrates how technology and research can save lives. By combining innovation, science and human sensitivity, CleoCare has created a device that empowers women and supports healthcare professionals in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
The SenseAI operation is co-financed by COMPETE 2030 and the European Union through the ERDF.
05 November 2025