The initiative is the first organization in Canada dedicated to women's health innovation
Femtech Canada, a women's health network initiative operated by Innovation Factory, celebrated its launch today in Toronto, Ontario.
As the first organization in Canada dedicated to women's health innovation, commercialization, and investment, Femtech Canada aims to tap into a global market projected to exceed $4.8tn by 2025.
The initiative supports companies focusing on the health and wellness needs of women, girls, non-binary individuals, trans people, and those assigned female at birth, contributing to a more inclusive healthcare landscape.
Femtech Canada provides strategic networking, training, business advisory support, including fundraising and mentorship. It has established a network of over 120 Canadian women’s health start-ups and scale-ups, along with industry partners, investors, accelerators, and service providers.
Historically, women's health has been under-researched and under-funded, often labeled as "niche" in the business and investment community. Rachel Bartholomew, founder of Femtech Canada and Hyivy Health, a women’s health company, initiated this project over two years ago. This platform allows companies to share knowledge and address challenges like resource scarcity, investment limitations, advertising bans, and talent shortages.
Backed by an advisory board comprising venture capital firms like Esplanade Ventures, Amplify Capital, Wittington Ventures, femtech companies including Future Fertility, Hyivy Health, and Innovation Factory, Femtech Canada is committed to elevating women's health.
Karen Linseman, VP of Operations at Innovation Factory, emphasizes the importance of rallying around women's health, stating, "We are truly overdue to rally around women’s health – the health of 51% of the global population." She highlights Femtech Canada's founder-first approach in supporting innovations for Canada’s diverse population.
The launch event, attracting over 100 network members, provided a platform for early-stage femtech companies to network with industry partners and pitch for $35,000 in non-dilutive funds. This funding opportunity is supported by Sun Life, Shoppers Drug Mart, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), and Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO).
Since 2010, Ontario's Innovation Factory has been catalyzing technology innovation, offering business services, training, and strategic resources to drive market growth and job creation.
