In short
- Hand injuries are common in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other combat sports.
- In collaboration with Ghent University spin-off Exoligamentz, Ashkan Joshghani developed a second-skin sports glove that surpasses traditional tape in terms of strength, speed and how it is used
- Ashkan is the first Ghent University student entrepreneur to launch a formal partnership with the university, a precedent within its ecosystem.
- The first beta version of the Exoligamentz glove was launched in Belgium in 2025.
Pain is almost inevitable in combat sports and Ghent University alumnus Ashkan Joshghani (33) knows this all too well. A sports injury resulted in an innovation that extends far beyond the mat. It is known as Exoligamentz. “After months of agonising over choosing between my sport and my dream of becoming a vet, everything fell into place,” he said.
Ashkan Joshghani combined his veterinary studies with intensive Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) training. The combat sport, which focuses on holds, chokes and grips, is physically very demanding. “BJJ is particularly hard on the joints, especially the fingers,” Ashkan explains. That is why fighters tape their fingers with ordinary sports tape, but it's far from ideal. “First of all, it takes a lot of time to tape your fingers every time,” says Ashkan. “In addition, you can only use the tape once and as soon as you start sweating, it comes off. Poor taping can even cut off circulation to your fingers or aggravate an injury.”
Torn ligaments
After a while, Ashkan began to experience the consequences himself. “During a training session I tore the ligaments in two of my fingers.” Beyond the physical strain and sporting implications, it also posed a serious problem for his future as a vet. “I had to face the fact that the risk of injury in my sport was simply too great. You can’t perform medical procedures with bruised hands. And in the long run, repeated finger injuries could also damage my fine motor skills.”
Ashkan faced a difficult choice: give up his sport or abandon his dream of becoming a vet. “For months, I agonised over how I could continue to combine both passions.” It was at that crossroads that the inspiration that changed everything came to him. “I was studying late at night for my virology exam when it hit me: what if I designed a glove that protects the fingers?”
Anatomy meets BJJ
With his broad expertise, Ashkan immediately began sketching. “I used my knowledge of anatomy and my practical experience in BJJ to devise a solution that restricts abnormal movements while allowing functional ones.” This led to the concept of a soft exoskeleton with ‘external ligaments’ designed to support the finger joints during a wide range of motions.
Student entrepreneur
The idea was there, but how do you turn it into a product? “I created numerous prototypes but soon realised that proper research was needed to develop the sports glove,” Ashkan explains. “As a student entrepreneur, I applied for an academic research project at Ghent University. At the time, that was uncharted territory as most applications came from assistant professors or PhD students.” His first application was rejected. But Ashkan persevered and rewrote his proposal. In 2017, Ghent University’s Industrial Research Fund officially gave his research project the green light. “That was the real start of Exoligamentz.”
One of the biggest challenges was finding the right production method and material. “I had medical knowledge as a veterinary student but I knew nothing about textiles.” After his first designs, he came into contact with Professor Lieva Van Langenhove of the Ghent University Centre for Textile Technology. She believed in the concept and supported his ambition to establish a research partnership with Ghent University as a student entrepreneur. “After a lengthy research process we found a suitable production method and technical fabrics that are thin, stretchy and breathable.” This is essential for comfort, but equally important is the fit. The glove must fit well anatomically. “The hand is our most complex limb and it’s different for everyone,” Ashkan explains.
Ashkan Joshghani: "Thanks to the expertise and support of Ghent University, in collaboration with other academic partners and industry partners, my idea became reality."
Tested by elite athletes
Over the following years, the design was continually improved and even tested in practice by elite athletes. “We visited the BJJ school of Roger Gracie in London, known as the GOAT (greatest of all time). The mat was full of black belts, the perfect setting. When he tried the prototype, he spontaneously said: ‘It’s better than tape.’ A monumental moment.”
There’s no question of mechanical doping because the sports glove doesn’t make your grip stronger, but it does make it more stable and less prone to injury. On top of that, it’s quick to put on and can be reused time and again. A major improvement over tape.
Second skin
With the support of the Ghent University Office, which helps connect researchers with the business world, Exoligamentz officially became a spin-off of Ghent University in 2022. The patent was approved shortly afterwards. The first version of the glove hit the market at the start of 2025. “I invented the glove as a white belt and released the first model as a black belt,” Ashkan laughs. It’s still a beta model, but interest is high. “I’m getting messages from athletes all over the world. Even the medical sector, such as doctors and therapists, is showing an interest.”
2025 is proving to be a landmark year for Exoligamentz. As a finalist in the prestigious Sport Innovation Challenge, Ashkan presented the product at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. He then went on to win both the regional and the national finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup. This means he will now be representing Belgium in the semi-finals of the Entrepreneurship World Cup. “It means we’re among the top 250 in the world. A shared victory for everyone who placed their trust in us.”
Unstoppable drive
These accolades have made Ashkan even more determined to improve the glove. “As I mentioned earlier, the hand is extremely complex. We’re currently developing an innovative AI model that can predict the correct size from a single photo of a hand more accurately than a traditional size chart. This helps reduce measurement errors and returns, making the ordering process faster and more consistent.”
To students and fellow Ghent University members toying with the idea of starting their own business, Ashkan offers a key piece of advice: “True value lies in what has no price tag: creation and impact. Passion is the engine that carries you through difficult moments. Even when doubts arise, a genuine drive to solve a problem keeps you going. Thanks to the expertise and support of Ghent University, in collaboration with other academic partners (FTILab+ at HOGent) and industry partners, my idea became reality. The university can help build the bridge that turns research into something tangible for society.”
Thinking about starting your own business?
Ghent University supports students and researchers who want to turn their ideas or research results into tangible products or companies:
• Gentrepreneur is Ghent’s expertise centre for enterprising youngsters, students and researchers. It provides personalised coaching, programmes and events, supported by a team of coaches and trainers.
• Het UGent TechTransfer Office assists researchers in building industrial partnerships and translating research into spin-offs and innovative products. It also provides legal and financial support to further explore and develop new ideas.
Ashkan Joshghani graduated from Ghent University in 2018 as a veterinarian with a research specialisation. A former student entrepreneur, he established the Ghent University spin-off Exoligamentz after completing his studies. With Exoligamentz, Ashkan aims to launch a sports glove that offers athletes better protection against common hand injuries and strains.
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