Empowering Women’s Healthcare Startups: Funding and Support Resources

Women’s health remains a critical yet underfunded domain globally, presenting significant challenges and opportunities alike for both healthcare entrepreneurs and multinationals. Despite the critical importance of addressing gender-based health disparities, investments in this sector lag far behind other areas of healthcare — but still it is a strategic economic opportunity. Closing the women’s health funding gap could potentially unlock substantial economic benefits, estimated at around USD$1 trillion annually by 2040. Thus, stakeholders, ranging from policymakers to investors, must engage actively in reshaping the landscape.

We see that FemTech is at an exciting inflection point, driving innovation and investment at a rapid pace. Over the past few years, the sector has gained substantial traction, moving beyond the perception of a niche market to being recognized as a pivotal segment of healthcare. This sustained shift of dedicated FemTech and women’s health funds, particularly in Europe, is accelerating progress, signalling long-term confidence in the sector’s impact. As investment grows, there is optimism that governmental support will extend beyond the initial research & startup phases, and reimbursement models will follow. This evolution aims to further embedding FemTech into mainstream healthcare, facilitated through commercialization, ensuring broader access to innovation and increasing the chances of success in the market.

Based on our FemTech sector capabilities, we observe advances in AI, wearables, and personalised health monitoring are transforming the landscape, enabling data-driven, scalable solutions that enhance clinical outcomes and improve investor confidence. However, bridging the funding gap requires a collaborative approach between innovators, investors, and strategic partners to accelerate the commercialization of women’s health solutions.

In this article, we examine the current state of funding in women’s health, highlights key challenges, explores successful models, and outlines actionable recommendations for driving substantial change in the FemTech ecosystem.

To start building ventures on the potential for women’s healthcare startups, stakeholders must adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes diverse funding mechanisms and collaborative frameworks. From our perspective, innovative funding mechanisms should be prioritized to empower startups dedicated to underserved patients’ groups like women as this approach can attract private investors interested in effectual outcomes.

We observe that partnerships remain fundamental to the success of women’s health initiatives. By cultivating collaborations among public health entities, private investors, and community organizations, stakeholders can amplify their resources and broaden the reach of essential services. Collaborative networks not only bolster funding but also drive innovation by encouraging the exchange of best practices and knowledge sharing.

Recent years have seen a pivotal shift in funding patterns for women’s health. While public funding has been crucial, there is an emerging renaissance fuelled by private investment towards commercialization. This trend is primarily driven by the recognition of the unfortunately unserved group, which also provides an untapped market potential within the women’s healthcare innovation space. Specific fmechanisms such as venture capital, impact investing, and philanthropic endeavours are gaining traction, with several actors as The Gates Foundation, FemHealth Ventures, Truffle Capital or Female Invest, among others, supporting these ventures.

Across Europe, holistic approaches have led to the creation of multi-sectoral networks combining expertise from public health, private investors, and academia to streamline funding processes and ensure resources are allocated efficiently amongst initiatives. The European Investment Fund (EIF) has played a critical role in supporting women-focused healthcare initiatives, ensuring that capital reaches high-potential startups through tailored investment programs.

Several EU nations have implemented gender-focused health grants, with Germany, France, Ireland, and the pioneering financial instruments designed to bridge the gender gap in healthcare funding. The collaboration between public institutions and private sector players has strengthened the European women’s health ecosystem, fostering long-term innovation and sustainability.

For more information about funding opportunities for European startups, please click here.

Also, the United States is seeing a rise in health technology accelerators that target women’s health startups, providing mentorship, funding, and access to critical networks. Major players such as the Gates Foundation, Rock Health, and the Female Founders Fund have increased their commitments to women’s health innovation, ensuring that promising startups receive the capital and support necessary for market success. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Women’s Health Research Initiative have expanded funding opportunities for women-led research projects, particularly in areas that address previously underfunded conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and postpartum depression. We have observed several venture capital firms have also created funds dedicated to FemTech startups, accelerating the growth of digital health solutions that address women’s unique healthcare needs.

In Australia, government-backed incubators and grant programs focus on fostering women’s health startups. Notable initiatives aim to bridge funding inequalities and provide robust platforms for new ventures. In recent years, Australia has introduced several funding programs specifically targeted at women-led MedTech and digital health companies, ensuring they receive the necessary support to scale and commercialize innovations. Government initiatives such as the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) have allocated resources for gender-specific healthcare advancements, emphasizing areas like maternal health, fertility solutions, and chronic disease prevention.

The urgency to address gaps in women’s health funding could not be more pronounced. Ignoring these disparities exacerbates existing inequalities and stifles potential economic growth. Investing in women’s health is foundational not only to improving health outcomes but also to fostering broader societal progress.

To advance women’s health initiatives meaningfully, stakeholders must mobilize resources, scale effective programs, and create collaborative networks. Unlike other MedTech startups, women’s health innovation faces an even longer journey due to gaps in comparative data and the time required to establish regulatory and reimbursement pathways. This demands financial instruments designed for long-term commitment rather than short-term ROI. By supporting women’s healthcare initiatives with sustained investment and strategic action, we can unlock the immense potential that bears and work towards a future where gender equity in health is a reality.

At IDE Group, we see women’s health not only as an urgent healthcare priority but as one of the most underleveraged opportunities in medical innovation.

As the FemTech sector matures, our focus remains on accelerating access to high-impact solutions. We collaborate with startups, researchers, and industry leaders to turn their thinking into tangible progress. By staying grounded in insight and applying thoughtful, pragmatic development, IDE Group empowers women’s health innovators to uncover meaningful opportunities and unmet needs. This way we can transform these ideas into scalable, purpose-driven products with real commercial and clinical impact.

About the authors: Daan Hittema, Business Development Lead – EU at IDE Group; and Leah Trend, Head of Global Partnership, Acquisition & Development at IDE Group