Circleg

Circleg, a Swiss-Kenyan social enterprise, originated as a student project in industrial design at the Zurich University of the Arts in 2018 by co-founders Fabian Engel and Simon Oschwald. They were later joined by Nicole Colmenares Pulido, who now serves as the Head of Business Development & Finance.

The company addresses the need for affordable and high-quality prosthetic care in low and middle-income countries. Circleg operates on a business-to-business model, supplying its prosthetic legs to certified prosthetists and technicians in hospitals and clinics. This approach ensures that the fitting and maintenance of the prosthetics are handled by trained professionals.

The primary product, the Circleg One, is a lower-limb prosthetic system designed for durability and affordability. It is manufactured using recycled plastic waste, which contributes to a circular economy and reduces production costs. The design is modular and adjustable, allowing for a customized fit for each user and simplifying the process for prosthetic technicians. The company has a focus on local manufacturing and has established a presence in Kenya to be closer to its target market.

Keywords: prosthetics, medical devices, social enterprise, circular economy, recycled plastics, developing countries, healthcare, impact investing, sustainability, medtech