Solence, a startup focused on women’s health, has secured €1.6 million in seed funding to enhance resources for managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This funding comes from firms like Impact Shakers Ventures and bpifrance, along with angel investors such as Céline Lazorthes and Berthe Latreille. The investment aims to expand their team, improve product development, and build partnerships.
PCOS affects up to 20% of women worldwide, yet around 85% do not get the care they need. Symptoms can include irregular periods, weight gain, and mental health struggles. Most care revolves around medication, leaving many women to shoulder hefty costs—some report spending over €3,500 for solutions. This gap leads to a rise in misinformation online, with only about 12% of women satisfied with lifestyle advice from healthcare providers. Many turn to the internet for guidance, often landing on unproven recommendations.
Clara Stephenson, a former corporate lawyer, founded Solence after a decade-long battle with PCOS without a formal diagnosis. Her symptoms escalated until faint lines of hope were revealed during her journey to conceive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started a blog, “Les Natives,” which gained over 135,000 visits, highlighting the unmet needs of women like her. This experience inspired the creation of Solence, aimed at providing personalized, science-backed care for PCOS.
Launched in 2022 by Clara and medtech executive Mael Mertad, Solence offers a holistic approach to managing PCOS. Their 12-week app program focuses on diet, movement, sleep, and stress management. Users engage with interactive lessons and habit-building tools to address their unique experiences with the condition. The AI-driven platform uses data analytics to tailor recommendations that improve both hormonal and metabolic health.
Solence aims to complement traditional medical care rather than replace it. By utilizing anonymized user data, they hope to reshape PCOS treatment within healthcare systems, advocating for proactive, personalized care instead of reactive solutions.
The future looks bright for Solence, with plans to refine their offerings and establish more partnerships with clinicians and healthcare organizations. This aligns with recent findings highlighting the benefits of a holistic approach to women’s health. Studies indicate that combining lifestyle changes with medical advice can significantly improve outcomes for women dealing with PCOS and other chronic conditions.
As the conversation around women’s health evolves, startups like Solence are at the forefront, pushing for better understanding and management of conditions like PCOS. Their vision goes beyond PCOS—aiming to improve the health span of women everywhere.
For more on women’s health issues, check out resources from organizations like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Source link
Europe,female-led,Femtech,France,funding,news,Startups