With 4D printing technology, CASTOMIZE co-founder Abel Teo aims to make orthopaedic devices less invasive and more humane

“The first time I ever heard someone describe me as brave, I felt a pang of imposter syndrome, as if they had mistaken me for someone else. Even now, with CASTOMIZE growing beyond what I’d imagined, those words feel like they belong to someone who has all the answers — someone I am still working to become.

Yet, it is the drive to create a more humane healthcare experience that keeps me moving forward, step by imperfect step.

At CASTOMIZE, our mission is simple: make healthcare more accessible, effective, and less invasive. We do this by leveraging advanced manufacturing to create medical devices that change lives. The first product we launched — a 4D-printed orthopaedic cast — is a small but meaningful contribution. It is fully waterproof, lightweight, and antibacterial. 

This means that, unlike traditional fibreglass casts, patients can shower comfortably and enjoy day-to-day activities, even in the humid heat of Singapore. Watching patients wear our casts and express genuine gratitude is one of the few things that chase away my lingering self-doubt. It reminds me that our work has a real-world impact, providing tangible comfort in physical hardship.

My days are never predictable. As CEO, I guide our growth strategy, scout resources, and ensure that we’re taking advantage of every opportunity that comes our way. Sometimes, that means reading the market for signals — identifying trends and strategising our next move — but other times, it means rolling up my sleeves and doing whatever needs to be done. I have learned to maintain 3D printers and draft user guides. 

I also represent CASTOMIZE at events, pitching to potential investors, distributors, hospitals, and research institutions. When you’re in a young startup, you play every role. I fight fires across different departments because the day-to-day cannot be neglected, even as we set our sights on the long-term future.

Equity and credibility

Our ultimate goal at CASTOMIZE is to make a meaningful difference in healthcare. I want anyone, anywhere, to be able to access the treatment they need to live a fulfilling life. It is an aspiration that drives us to imagine bigger. Beyond orthopaedic casting, we’re exploring possibilities in prosthetics, physical therapy, and even veterinary care

I dream of deploying our 4D-printed casts to disaster zones where fractures are common and traditional medical facilities are scarce. To be able to offer even the smallest respite to people experiencing unimaginable crises — that, to me, is the kind of impact worth striving for.

Heat. (Photo: CASTOMIZE)

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Apply. (Photo: CASTOMIZE)

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Finish. (Photo: CASTOMIZE)

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Of course, success is never guaranteed. We need talent, strategic partners, and the ever-elusive gift of time to achieve our vision. I believe the strength of a startup like CASTOMIZE lies in its people more than in its technology or resources. With the right team, we’ve achieved what seemed impossible — we built internal systems that would have cost us fifty times more if outsourced. 

Talent, however, is not enough; we also need partners who can vouch for us in an industry where credibility is vital. Forging connections with established players could help us access healthcare systems worldwide. And then there’s time — something no one can create more of. We’re always in a race against time to innovate and prove ourselves before the next considerable disruption appears on the horizon.

The hardest part of this journey, one I haven’t openly shared, has been balancing the demands of immediate crises with the need to build a sustainable operation. I often work twelve-hour days, torn between fighting today’s fires and laying the foundation for tomorrow. 

There are moments when exhaustion seems to have no end. Yet, the feedback we receive — patients telling us that their CASTOMIZE casts changed their recovery experience and doctors endorsing our work — gives me a renewed sense of purpose. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I know that this frantic pace will ease as we grow and become more organised.

Making a difference

And if I could go back to the night before I took on this role as CEO at CASTOMIZE, I’d tell myself three things. First, to balance decisiveness with caution. I still believe in failing fast and learning quickly, but I’ve made enough rash decisions to know that it pays to mitigate risks where possible.

Second, to seek help sooner. We’ve benefited enormously from incubators and accelerators — programmes like SMU’s BIG and SUTD’s VIE — but initially, I wasted precious time trying to do everything alone. I learned the hard way that a single introduction can make all the difference. 

Finally, I’d remind myself to build healthier habits. Early on, I neglected sleep, exercise, and mental well-being, and the cost of that neglect was tangible. Maintaining balance is not just about self-care — it directly impacts productivity, decision-making, and the health of the company as a whole.

Looking back, I think about what I want to be proud of in 10 years. Building CASTOMIZE from the ground up is, of course, at the top of that list. Not just for the devices we create or the patients we serve but also for the jobs we’ve generated — for giving others a way to support themselves and their families. 

I want to look back and know that I made a difference in people’s lives, ventured into an industry in which I had no background and still managed to create value. The professional and personal growth I’ve experienced feels like thirty years packed into three. I’ve aged, learned, and grown — and that, in itself, is a point of pride.

What gives me hope is seeing that more people are beginning to care. More startups are being built with sustainability at their core, and investor money is finally finding its way to impact-focused ventures.

The world isn’t perfect, and there are still countless challenges ahead — but watching this shift gives me faith in our collective future. If we can keep building, pushing, and believing in a world where healthcare is a right, not a privilege, then perhaps we’re moving in the right direction.”