19 female-focused health startups founded by women
January 23, 2023
In 2016, the venture capital world was introduced to new terminology to describe and invest in women’s healthcare issues: femtech. Coined by Ida Tin, founder of the fertility tracking app Clue, the idea was to create space for conversations around women’s bodies in boardrooms and beyond. Overall, the goal of introducing the term was to bring attention to an industry and opportunity that’s been long gone unfunded and under-funded—women’s unique health needs.
Just a handful of years ago, VC funding for women-focused health startups barely hit $100 million. The tides are slowly shifting as firms recognize the untapped potential of the femtech space and as more female founders and investors become active in the VC landscape. By 2019, the global femtech market generated $820 million and, in 2021, VC investment in the space surpassed $2 billion for the first time. PitchBook believes it willll reach $3 billion by 2030. Despite this growth trajectory, there are still hurdles—women make up 50% of the population, but just 4% of all healthcare R&D is targeted at women’s health issues specifically.
At the helm of many of these emerging, women-centered health companies are, well, women. They’re working in the femtech space as founders and CEOs, combining business with a mission to make knowledge about women’s bodies more accessible and usable in discussions around healthcare.
Carrot partners with companies to provide fertility coverage to their employees, including fertility testing, egg, and embryo freezing and IVF. The customized plans prioritize inclusivity, price transparency and healthy outcomes. The company raised $75 million through a combination of debt and Series C funding in a deal led by Tiger Global Management in August 2021—putting Carrot’s pre-money valuation at $200 million.
Choix operates a telehealth clinic that provides medical services related to sexual and reproductive healthcare. They offer abortion pills, emergency contraception, cold sore treatment, genital herpes care, hormonal birth control, and UTI care via telemedicine for easy, comfortable support from home. Founded in 2020, the startup raise $36,000 of an undisclosed targeted amount of equity in the form of SAFE notes in October 2022.
Cocoromi offers an AI-based infertility treatment platform designed to monitor women’s health, infertility, postpartum care, menopause and gynecological diseases. The company’s platform provides treatment data search services based on evidence of previous treatments with facilities enabling patients to make their own treatment plan. Founded in 2020, Cocoromi raised $890,000 in early-stage venture funding from KDDI, KDDI Ventures Program and Global Brain in July 2022.
Cora offers organic tampons and innovative period care products to improve the feminine care industry by prioritizing women’s health. The startup’s products shift the way women perceive and manage their periods, bladder leaks, post-birth recoveries, and other experiences. The company raised $7.5 million of later-stage venture capital by undisclosed investors in December 2021.
Daye manufactures cramp-fighting CBD tampons to assist in tackling dysmenorrhea—or painful menstruation symptoms. The company’s tampons are an alternative to traditional painkillers and traditional, less sustainable tampons. The company raised $12.1 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by MassMutual Ventures in August 2022.
Fertilidad Integral is the developer of a fertility clinics platform intended to give specialized, comprehensive and kind treatments. Founded in 2020, the startup specializes in egg freezing, embryo freezing, in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination processes, giving patients access to a specialist for therapy sessions and emotional support throughout their fertility process. Fertilidad Integral raised $180,000 of venture funding from DILA Capital in December 2022.
Gabbi is the developer of a healthcare software that accurately and inclusively predict a woman’s risk for breast cancer and equips her to take action with community support. The Gabbi Risk Assessment Model uses AI to predict a woman’s two-year risk of breast cancer and is used to create a personalized action plan. The startup raised $4.4 million of seed, seed-1 and seed-2 funding in a deal led by Bread & Butter Ventures in April 2021.
Joylux offers a platform of high-tech devices, digital tools and products that address menopausal-related health concerns. By combining science-based products with access to menopausal education, health data and community, the startup aims to deliver better health outcomes. In June 2022, Joylux raised $5.5 million venture funding in a combination of equity and convertible debt from Reform Ventures, Overton Venture Capital, Keiretsu Forum, and others.
Knix is the manufacturer of natural woven, comfortable intimate apparel for women—from wireless bras to super absorbent underwear. Their product line is leak-proof and has built-in anti-odor features. The startup was acquired by TZP Group, Action Capital, and model and angel investor Ashley Graham through a $43.5 million LBO in March 2021. Then, in August 2022, Knix was acquired by Essity for $320M.
Lattice Medical is an implantable medical device company that develops and manufactures breakthrough technologies for post-cancer breast reconstruction. While silicon implants bear long-term risks and autologous surgeries require several invasive surgeries, Lattice Medical offers a bioabsorbable, tissue-generated implant that allows for natural reconstruction by regenerating in a single, hour-and-a-half-long surgery. Once regenerated, the implant slowly disappears for full reabsorption over 18 months and the patient recovers with a full breast with their own tissue. The company raised $7.8 million of later-stage venture funding from undisclosed investors in October 2022.
Lilia provides an egg-freezing concierge service intended to provide guidance and assistance for fertility and family planning. The startup’s services include the ability to pick from the top 1% of egg freezing providers and to talk to an egg-freezing expert on demand, any time. The company raised $1.4 million of seed funding in April 2020 from Panache Ventures, Hustle Fund, GarageCapital, and others.
Founded in 2020, Mae is a digital health solution on a mission to improve the health and quality of life for Black mothers, babies, and those who love them. Mae has created a space where complete digital care meets culturally-competent on-the-ground support. Mae addresses access gaps and bolsters physical and emotional well-being through continuous engagement, risk assessment, early symptom awareness, and a community-led model of support for users. In 2022, we spoke with Maya Hardigan about how she pushed her initial idea for Mae forward, what has surprised her most about being a founder, and more. Mae was launched in partnership with Founders Factory in 2020, and subsequently raised $1.3 million of pre-seed funding in a deal led by SteelSky Ventures in September 2021.
Maven digital health platform offers continuous, holistic care for fertility, pregnancy and parenting. Founded in 2014, the startup’s platform enables its customers to book appointments through a network of nurses, gynecologists, mental health specialists, physical therapists and more. Maven raised $90 million in November 2022 in a deal led by General Catalyst—the deal put Maven’s pre-money valuation at $1.3 billion.
Ovira is the developer of a medical device designed to provide pain relief to people with periods. The company’s device uses two compression pads—placed over nerve roots that supply sensory fiber to the uterus—sending low-level pulses that can block pain signals. Founded in 2018, the company most recently raised an undisclosed amount of early-stage VC funding from Dropbear. Before that, the startup raised $1 million of seed funding in February 2020 from Dropbear, as well as Blackbird Ventures, Startmate, and others.
Phia designed and manufactures sustainable menstrual cups intended to replace tampons and pads. The startup’s products are made from medical-grade silicone and have thin, triangular areas that collapse the cup into a small size that is easier to insert and remove than other cup brands. Phia is in the process of raising $400,000 of angel funds.
Ritual provides food supplements intended to offer essential nutrients to women who aren’t getting enough through their diets alone. The company’s products—including multivitamins and protein powders—are made with simple, traceable ingredients and are vegan and gluten free. Plus Capital and Echo Capital Group participated in Ritual’s Series B1 funding round in 2020, which put the startup’s pre-money valuation at $12.5 million.
Thinx makes period-proof underwear designed to offer an eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons. Thinx are made using quad-dry breathe technology and thin materials that resist stains and leaks, wick moisture and provide anti-bacterial support. The startup received $25 million of Series A funding from Kimberly-Clark in September 2019, putting its post-money valuation at $75 million. Three years later, in early 2022, Thinx was acquired by Kimberly-Clark for $181 million.
Turtle Health operates a virtual fertility counseling clinic to help address peoples’ fertility-care needs where they’re at. Founded in 2019, the startup’s clinic provides personalized and medically meaningful insights to help plan pregnancy early so that women can prepare and plan for fertility–affordably. Turtle Health is reportedly seeking Series A venture funding from undisclosed investors in 2023. Prior to that, the company raised $5.4 million of early-stage VC funding in December 2022 in a deal led by Switch Ventures.
Work & Mother provides a network of fully equipped lactation facilities that support working moms and make it easier for employers to comply with FLSA regulations. Work & Mother’s suites have everything needed to pump during the workday, including private rooms, hospital-grade pumps and accessories, fridges, storage, a private booking system and more. The startup raised $583,000 of convertible debt financing from Texas Halo Fund and others in August 2021.
Learn more about the space in our What is femtech? blog post
Whatever the good intention may have been, the term femtech has also created confusion
Read PitchBook’s news article about whether the term femtech is needed at all
VC funding for femtech companies reached $840 million through mid-2022
Check out this article about the most active VC investors in femtech
Read our female founders and investors to know blog post
Check out trends in VC funding for female-founded companies in the US and Europe
Explore PitchBook's US VC Female Founders Dashboard and our European VC Female Founders Dashboard
Just a handful of years ago, VC funding for women-focused health startups barely hit $100 million. The tides are slowly shifting as firms recognize the untapped potential of the femtech space and as more female founders and investors become active in the VC landscape. By 2019, the global femtech market generated $820 million and, in 2021, VC investment in the space surpassed $2 billion for the first time. PitchBook believes it willll reach $3 billion by 2030. Despite this growth trajectory, there are still hurdles—women make up 50% of the population, but just 4% of all healthcare R&D is targeted at women’s health issues specifically.
At the helm of many of these emerging, women-centered health companies are, well, women. They’re working in the femtech space as founders and CEOs, combining business with a mission to make knowledge about women’s bodies more accessible and usable in discussions around healthcare.
What is femtech?
The femtech industry refers to a range of health software and tech-enabled products that cater to women's health needs. A subsegment of health technology, the femtech industry vertical attempts to highlight the historical and systemic exclusion of women’s health needs in the healthcare industry while creating targeted solutions for a range of those needs, including:
- Menstrual cycle tracking female biological
- Fertility
- Pregnancy
19 women-founded health startups
Carrot Fertility
- Leadership: Asima Ahmad, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer
- Latest deal: $75M, Series C (August 2021)
- 📍San Francisco, CA
Carrot partners with companies to provide fertility coverage to their employees, including fertility testing, egg, and embryo freezing and IVF. The customized plans prioritize inclusivity, price transparency and healthy outcomes. The company raised $75 million through a combination of debt and Series C funding in a deal led by Tiger Global Management in August 2021—putting Carrot’s pre-money valuation at $200 million.
Choix
- Leadership: Cindy Adam, co-founder, CEO, and board member
- Latest deal: $36K, crowdfunding (October 2022)
- 📍San Rafael, CA
Choix operates a telehealth clinic that provides medical services related to sexual and reproductive healthcare. They offer abortion pills, emergency contraception, cold sore treatment, genital herpes care, hormonal birth control, and UTI care via telemedicine for easy, comfortable support from home. Founded in 2020, the startup raise $36,000 of an undisclosed targeted amount of equity in the form of SAFE notes in October 2022.
Cocoromi
- Leadership: Yukari Tsunoda, CEO
- Latest deal: $890K, early-stage VC (July 2022)
- 📍Tokyo, Japan
Cocoromi offers an AI-based infertility treatment platform designed to monitor women’s health, infertility, postpartum care, menopause and gynecological diseases. The company’s platform provides treatment data search services based on evidence of previous treatments with facilities enabling patients to make their own treatment plan. Founded in 2020, Cocoromi raised $890,000 in early-stage venture funding from KDDI, KDDI Ventures Program and Global Brain in July 2022.
Cora
- Leadership: Molly Hayward, founder, chief brand officer and board member
- Latest deal: $7.5M, later-stage VC (December 2021)
- 📍San Rafael, CA
Cora offers organic tampons and innovative period care products to improve the feminine care industry by prioritizing women’s health. The startup’s products shift the way women perceive and manage their periods, bladder leaks, post-birth recoveries, and other experiences. The company raised $7.5 million of later-stage venture capital by undisclosed investors in December 2021.
Daye
- Leadership: Valentina Milanova, founder and CPO
- Latest deal: $12.1M, Series A (August 2022)
- 📍London, England
Daye manufactures cramp-fighting CBD tampons to assist in tackling dysmenorrhea—or painful menstruation symptoms. The company’s tampons are an alternative to traditional painkillers and traditional, less sustainable tampons. The company raised $12.1 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by MassMutual Ventures in August 2022.
Fertilidad Integral
- Leadership: Claudia Barrera, CFO and COO, Maria Altschuler del Valle, CEO and board member
- Latest deal: $180K, early-stage VC (December 2022)
- 📍Mexico City, Mexico
Fertilidad Integral is the developer of a fertility clinics platform intended to give specialized, comprehensive and kind treatments. Founded in 2020, the startup specializes in egg freezing, embryo freezing, in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination processes, giving patients access to a specialist for therapy sessions and emotional support throughout their fertility process. Fertilidad Integral raised $180,000 of venture funding from DILA Capital in December 2022.
Gabbi
- Leadership: Kaitlin Christine, founder and CEO
- Latest deal: $4.4M, Seed (June 2022)
- 📍Portland, OR
Gabbi is the developer of a healthcare software that accurately and inclusively predict a woman’s risk for breast cancer and equips her to take action with community support. The Gabbi Risk Assessment Model uses AI to predict a woman’s two-year risk of breast cancer and is used to create a personalized action plan. The startup raised $4.4 million of seed, seed-1 and seed-2 funding in a deal led by Bread & Butter Ventures in April 2021.
Joylux
- Leadership: Colette Courtion, founder, president, CEO and board member
- Latest deal: $5.5M, later-stage VC (June 2022)
- 📍Seattle, WA
Joylux offers a platform of high-tech devices, digital tools and products that address menopausal-related health concerns. By combining science-based products with access to menopausal education, health data and community, the startup aims to deliver better health outcomes. In June 2022, Joylux raised $5.5 million venture funding in a combination of equity and convertible debt from Reform Ventures, Overton Venture Capital, Keiretsu Forum, and others.
Knix
- Leadership: Joanna Griffiths, founder, CEO and chairman
- Latest deal: $320M, M&A (August 2022)
- 📍Toronto, Canada
Knix is the manufacturer of natural woven, comfortable intimate apparel for women—from wireless bras to super absorbent underwear. Their product line is leak-proof and has built-in anti-odor features. The startup was acquired by TZP Group, Action Capital, and model and angel investor Ashley Graham through a $43.5 million LBO in March 2021. Then, in August 2022, Knix was acquired by Essity for $320M.
Lattice Medical
- Leadership: Julien Payen, co-founder and CEO
- Latest deal: $7.8M, later-stage VC (October 2022)
- 📍Loos, France
Lattice Medical is an implantable medical device company that develops and manufactures breakthrough technologies for post-cancer breast reconstruction. While silicon implants bear long-term risks and autologous surgeries require several invasive surgeries, Lattice Medical offers a bioabsorbable, tissue-generated implant that allows for natural reconstruction by regenerating in a single, hour-and-a-half-long surgery. Once regenerated, the implant slowly disappears for full reabsorption over 18 months and the patient recovers with a full breast with their own tissue. The company raised $7.8 million of later-stage venture funding from undisclosed investors in October 2022.
Lilia
- Leadership: Alyssa Atkins, founder and CEO
- Latest deal: $1.4M, Seed (April 2020)
- 📍Toronto, Canada
Lilia provides an egg-freezing concierge service intended to provide guidance and assistance for fertility and family planning. The startup’s services include the ability to pick from the top 1% of egg freezing providers and to talk to an egg-freezing expert on demand, any time. The company raised $1.4 million of seed funding in April 2020 from Panache Ventures, Hustle Fund, GarageCapital, and others.
Mae
- Leadership: Maya Hardigan, founder and CEO
- Latest deal: Undisclosed, accelerator/incubator (February 2022)
- 📍New York, NY
Founded in 2020, Mae is a digital health solution on a mission to improve the health and quality of life for Black mothers, babies, and those who love them. Mae has created a space where complete digital care meets culturally-competent on-the-ground support. Mae addresses access gaps and bolsters physical and emotional well-being through continuous engagement, risk assessment, early symptom awareness, and a community-led model of support for users. In 2022, we spoke with Maya Hardigan about how she pushed her initial idea for Mae forward, what has surprised her most about being a founder, and more. Mae was launched in partnership with Founders Factory in 2020, and subsequently raised $1.3 million of pre-seed funding in a deal led by SteelSky Ventures in September 2021.
Maven
- Leadership: Katherine Ryder, founder, CEO, and board member
- Latest deal: $90M, Series E (November 2022)
- 📍New York, NY
Maven digital health platform offers continuous, holistic care for fertility, pregnancy and parenting. Founded in 2014, the startup’s platform enables its customers to book appointments through a network of nurses, gynecologists, mental health specialists, physical therapists and more. Maven raised $90 million in November 2022 in a deal led by General Catalyst—the deal put Maven’s pre-money valuation at $1.3 billion.
Ovira
- Leadership: Alice Williams, founder and CEO
- Latest deal: Undisclosed, early-stage VC (undisclosed date)
- 📍Melbourne, Australia
Ovira is the developer of a medical device designed to provide pain relief to people with periods. The company’s device uses two compression pads—placed over nerve roots that supply sensory fiber to the uterus—sending low-level pulses that can block pain signals. Founded in 2018, the company most recently raised an undisclosed amount of early-stage VC funding from Dropbear. Before that, the startup raised $1 million of seed funding in February 2020 from Dropbear, as well as Blackbird Ventures, Startmate, and others.
Phia
- Leadership: Sophia Peterson, founder
- Latest deal: $400K angel (undisclosed date)
- 📍Groningen, Netherlands
Phia designed and manufactures sustainable menstrual cups intended to replace tampons and pads. The startup’s products are made from medical-grade silicone and have thin, triangular areas that collapse the cup into a small size that is easier to insert and remove than other cup brands. Phia is in the process of raising $400,000 of angel funds.
Ritual
- Founder: Katerina Schneider, co-founder, CEO, and board member
- Latest deal: $12.5M, Series B1 (August 2020)
- 📍Culver City, CA
Ritual provides food supplements intended to offer essential nutrients to women who aren’t getting enough through their diets alone. The company’s products—including multivitamins and protein powders—are made with simple, traceable ingredients and are vegan and gluten free. Plus Capital and Echo Capital Group participated in Ritual’s Series B1 funding round in 2020, which put the startup’s pre-money valuation at $12.5 million.
Thinx
- Leadership: Radha Agrawal, Miki Agrawal, Antonia Dunbar, co-founders
- Latest deal: $181M, M&A (February 2022)
- 📍New York, NY
Thinx makes period-proof underwear designed to offer an eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons. Thinx are made using quad-dry breathe technology and thin materials that resist stains and leaks, wick moisture and provide anti-bacterial support. The startup received $25 million of Series A funding from Kimberly-Clark in September 2019, putting its post-money valuation at $75 million. Three years later, in early 2022, Thinx was acquired by Kimberly-Clark for $181 million.
Turtle Health
- Leadership: Amy Zwanziger, co-founder
- Latest deal: $5.4M, early-stage VC (December 2022)
- 📍Boston, MA
Turtle Health operates a virtual fertility counseling clinic to help address peoples’ fertility-care needs where they’re at. Founded in 2019, the startup’s clinic provides personalized and medically meaningful insights to help plan pregnancy early so that women can prepare and plan for fertility–affordably. Turtle Health is reportedly seeking Series A venture funding from undisclosed investors in 2023. Prior to that, the company raised $5.4 million of early-stage VC funding in December 2022 in a deal led by Switch Ventures.
Work & Mother
- Founder: Abigail Donnell, founder, CEO and board member
- Latest deal: $583K, later-stage VC (August 2021)
- 📍Houston, TX
Work & Mother provides a network of fully equipped lactation facilities that support working moms and make it easier for employers to comply with FLSA regulations. Work & Mother’s suites have everything needed to pump during the workday, including private rooms, hospital-grade pumps and accessories, fridges, storage, a private booking system and more. The startup raised $583,000 of convertible debt financing from Texas Halo Fund and others in August 2021.
More on femtech
Why have femtech startups traditionally lacked VC support and what’s driving growth now?Learn more about the space in our What is femtech? blog post
Whatever the good intention may have been, the term femtech has also created confusion
Read PitchBook’s news article about whether the term femtech is needed at all
VC funding for femtech companies reached $840 million through mid-2022
Check out this article about the most active VC investors in femtech
More on female founders
In this round-up, we celebrate female entrepreneurship and innovation around the globeRead our female founders and investors to know blog post
Check out trends in VC funding for female-founded companies in the US and Europe
Explore PitchBook's US VC Female Founders Dashboard and our European VC Female Founders Dashboard
Femtech is one of dozens of verticals tracked by PitchBook.
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