Four students aged between 15 and 16 from Escola Secundária Stuart Carvalhais, in Sintra, have developed BeRed, a smart pen designed to detect signs of anaemia through a non-invasive approach.
Created by Pedro, Maria, Lígia and Lara, the project won Gen-E Portugal 2026, organised by Junior Achievement Portugal, giving the students the opportunity to represent Portugal at the international stage of the competition in Riga, Latvia.
BeRed is presented as a three-in-one device, combining a conventional pen, an “infinite pencil” and a touchscreen stylus in a single piece of equipment.
With support from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Instituto Superior Técnico and other organisations, the students have already developed a working prototype equipped with biomedical sensors capable of identifying haemoglobin levels.
The project is now seeking funding and partnerships to continue its development and advance towards clinical trials. The team aims to turn BeRed into an accessible tool that could contribute to the early detection of anaemia, while highlighting the potential of young Portuguese talent to develop innovative solutions at the intersection of technology and healthcare.
The recognition achieved at Gen-E 2026 also reinforces the project’s international dimension and highlights the potential of Portuguese students to develop technology-based solutions with applications beyond the domestic market.
