WHAM Unveils Innovator’s Circle: Empowering Funding for Early-Stage Women’s Health Startups | Femtech Insider

Women make up half the world’s population and play a crucial role in healthcare decisions. Yet, only 2% of healthcare venture capital goes to companies focused on women’s health. WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters) is tackling this issue head-on by launching the Innovator’s Circle, a new initiative aimed at connecting early-stage investors to spark innovation in women’s health.

The Innovator’s Circle is a network of 20 funds dedicated to investing in women’s health. This group will work together to find new technologies and create better funding pathways for promising startups.

“This platform is about turning groundbreaking ideas into real solutions,” explains Carolee Lee, WHAM’s CEO. “By connecting early-stage investors with later-stage partners, we’re not just unlocking financial returns; we’re making a real impact on health.”

With the Innovator’s Circle, WHAM aims to unite early-stage investors with others focused on later-stage investments. Naseem Sayani, the Director of the Circle, highlights the need to build this pipeline: “We want to make sure strong companies are ready for the next level of funding.”

The initiative includes quarterly calls to discuss challenges in women’s health investment. Plus, they plan to create working groups to tackle specific issues in the industry. “Our goal is to take charge of the direction of women’s health funding,” Sayani adds. “We don’t want market forces to decide outcomes for us.”

The participating funds encompass a range of investors, including organizations like Amboy Street Ventures and March of Dimes. Initially U.S.-based, the Circle aims for global reach, hoping to welcome more international funds soon.

Addressing common challenges is a key focus. Sayani points out three major issues the Innovator’s Circle will confront:

• Making sure high-potential companies get the funding they need.
• Helping funds raise capital by establishing their track records.
• Identifying new consumer demands from women and directing capital accordingly.

This collaborative effort seeks to create a more effective funding environment. The Innovator’s Circle will also be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs in women’s health. “We want to create a space where founders can seek guidance and connect with investors who share their vision,” says Sayani.

This initiative is just one part of WHAM’s larger goal. Their ecosystem also includes:

• The WHAM Research Collaborative, which connects researchers and clinicians to boost sex-based research.
• The WHAM Investment Collaborative, rallying leaders to enhance private investment in women’s health.
• The WHAM Life Sciences Collaborative, focusing on integrating sex-based biology in product development.

By bringing together these resources, WHAM aims to fill gaps in the women’s health innovation pipeline. Sayani notes, “The more we organize our resources, the faster we can drive progress.”

Considering the significant market potential yet historical underfunding in women’s health, the Innovator’s Circle promises a brighter future. This step could lead to a well-resourced funding pipeline, ultimately benefiting founders and the women they aim to support.

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