What began as a school capstone project grew into something far greater. Knee2me is a story of an idea that refused to stay small, evolving into a groundbreaking innovation that transforms patients’ knee rehabilitation journey.
Knee2me is a startup creating a wearable device strap that’s placed on the knee to track when rehab exercises are performed. The problem it solves is adherence. After knee injuries or surgery, people are sent home with exercises that are essential for recovery, but most don’t stick to them. The lack of follow‑through leads to slower healing, lingering pain, limps, or even the need for another surgery. Knee2me changes that. The device syncs with your phone or laptop so you can see the exercises you’re supposed to do, the targets you need to hit, and your progress toward regaining full range of motion. It becomes your accountability partner, keeping you engaged through the long, often frustrating rehab process.
The journey of building the business was neither quick nor easy. When co‑founders Toni Bodunrin, Madison Fernandez, and Rene Gilliland‑Rocque first created the concept, they were still students and never intended for it to go beyond the classroom. But after demoing their early prototype, their professors immediately recognized the unmet needs their project solved and saw real potential in what the team had created.
After graduation, the idea of creating a startup, however, went on hold. None of them had a business background, and Toni, an international student at the time, was focused on landing a job, securing permanent residency, and getting settled. Once life became more stable, the idea resurfaced. She felt strongly that this was something worth pursuing.
From there, it took a lot of focus and a genuine desire to help people. Toni began meeting with physiotherapists, driving to clinics across the city to talk to the professionals treating knee‑injury patients. It took more than a year to build trust and find physiotherapists willing to consult. She wanted real insight into the product, the rehab process, and the challenges patients face. That meant rounds of development, testing, feedback, and iteration.
Everything the team learned about business came from accelerators and practice. Through Nobellum, they connected with ICUBE and joined the Ideation Lab, which provided practical steps for turning their concept into a real venture. They went on to win ICUBE’s Pitch With a Twist and the Ideation Lab Pitch competition. Since they began pitching in 2024, they’ve secured $51,000 in non‑dilutive funding. Now, they’re working on the third version of the device, and with steady progress, they’re getting close to bringing it to market.
In the long term, Toni envisions the device becoming accessible to anyone in the world. She hopes to partner with hospitals and physiotherapists, integrate the device into standard rehab protocols, and eventually have it covered by insurance so patients receive it after knee surgery. The goal is to create a product that is so valuable that it speaks for itself.
At its core, Knee2me is focused on helping people recovering from knee injuries stay motivated, consistent, and ultimately get their lives back on track. Throughout her journey, Toni came to understand that “having a good idea means nothing if you have the good idea at the wrong time”. A product only succeeds when the market is ready for it, and founders have to figure out whether that moment is now.
Startup culture often glorifies the hustle and non-stop grind, but Toni learned that patience is just as important. Building something meaningful takes time. She also notes how crucial it is to know your team, work with people you get along with, and who are as passionate about the product as you are.
As CEO, Toni shares two pieces of advice for future founders. “One, have grace for yourself and for your co-founders. We are all humans. And two, be okay with the fact that some things just take time and that you’re not behind. We are all going at our own pace, and everything will work out in the end.”
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