Grace Ouma-Cabezas’ Post

As we reflect on the first half of 2024, it's encouraging to see the strides we've made in the world of women’s health. This momentum give us a renewed sense of purpose and energy as we move into the second half of the year.   This year has already been uplifting, and I'm excited to share some key highlights from a recent Forbes article that underscore the progress and innovation happening in our field:   🔹 $679.48M raised by women’s health companies in H1 2024, setting a new midyear record. 🔹 $12.58M: the highest average deal size seen in recent years. 🔹 A significant increase in $50M+ fundraising rounds, reflecting growing confidence in this sector.   These achievements are in alignment with the White House's Executive Order on Advancing Women's Health and the unwavering support of leaders across the ecosystem.   However, according to the author of the article, Eva Epker, Director of Marketing at Avestria Ventures, “Since 2019, an average of 2.1% of the VC funding invested in healthcare companies has gone to women’s health companies by the half-year point and an average of 2.7% has gone to them by the year’s end. In 1H 2024, women’s health companies received about 2.5% of this funding". Although this is moving in the right direction, it is still a very small percent of VC funding – which is why WHAM is focused on doubling that number through our 3Not30 goals and innovative partnerships.   We all need to advocate for equitable funding and support for women’s health, recognizing the vast potential within this field. How else will we ensure that this upward trend not only continues, but flourishes?   Image Credit: Getty https://lnkd.in/eseFi5AP   #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #WHAMNow #3Not30 #HealthEquity

"The first half of 2024 has brought positive momentum to women’s health: from President Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation to Vice President Harris' support of women's reproductive health and safety, from the launch of a women’s health PAC to Melinda French Gates’ planned investment of $1B in women, including their health." Some key highlights: ✅ Increased VC Funding: Women’s health companies received $679.48M in venture capital funding in the first half of 2024, a 3% increase from the previous high in mid-2022. ✅Rising Average Deal Size: The average deal size for women’s health companies has reached a new high of $12.58M in the first half of 2024. ✅Growing Number of Large Deals: The number of women’s health companies raising over $50M in a single round has increased, with at least four companies achieving this in the first half of 2024. ✅Stable Percentage of Total VC Funding: Women’s health has maintained a steady share of overall VC funding in healthcare, receiving about 2.5% in the first half of 2024, slightly above the historical average. Interesting and informative read by Eva Epker! Check out the full article here:

Herself Health: Revolutionizing Care for Women 65+ It's time to address the glaring gap in healthcare for women over 65. In my latest Forbes article, I share how Kristen Helton (Lloyd), CEO of Herself Health, is leading the charge with a network of clinics specifically designed to meet the unique needs of this often-overlooked population. Herself Health's value-based care model prioritizes patient outcomes and fosters a sense of community. This approach tackles the challenges older women face, including higher rates of misdiagnosis and dismissal in traditional healthcare settings. With $70 million in venture capital, Herself Health is expanding its reach and empowering women to take control of their health in a supportive and understanding environment. Read what one of its investors Andrew Stein of Juxtapose says about the company. https://lnkd.in/g75Xcyeu #womenshealth #seniorcare #valuebasedcare #healthinnovation

Did Maven Clinic Just Redefine Women's Health with a $1.7 Billion Valuation? 💡 Making game-changing leaps in the women's health space, Maven Clinic has successfully secured a staggering $125 million in their latest funding round, placing its valuation at an awe-inspiring $1.7 billion! 👩⚕️💰 As announced on Tuesday, this innovative startup is channeling their newfound capital into continuing to revolutionize healthcare services for women – but how does this impact the future of female-focused healthcare? Committed to empowering women globally through accessible and comprehensive health services, Maven Clinic's impressive valuation marks a monumental shift in the healthcare industry landscape. For years, reinforcing women’s health was challenging due to limited options and resources - now Maven Clinic is set out on changing it all. But what exactly does this funding mean when it comes down to tangible advancements in female-centric medical care? 🤔 Let's dig into how this financial boost can aid the development of pertinent healthcare innovation that holistically caters to every woman’s unique needs. Your voice matters – let’s start a conversation about what we hope these leaps forward will materialize into for the future of our mothers, daughters and all other important women who walk among us! Ignite Corporate Innovation! 🚀 We offer AI solutions and automation designed to fuel your company's growth like nothing else. **[Book a meeting](https://lnkd.in/dw8sSM6i with us today! Join our community of 160K+ corporate decision-makers, investors and innovative founders committed to transforming innovation strategies into successful ventures! For more information about Maven Clinic’s rapid rise: https://lnkd.in/diEqbEQM #MavenClinic #WomensHealth #Investment #HealthTech #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalHealth #StartUpSuccess #FemaleEntrepreneurship #AIInnovation #CorporateInnovation

Maven’s $90 million round 👏🏾 accounted for 20% of all VC funding for women’s health in 2022. Women-focused health tech ventures still attract just 2% of health tech venture funding. And, ironically (or not), new research has found that women’s health ventures led by women are less likely to get funding than those run by men. Meanwhile, women-focused health tech ventures have weathered the fundraising drought better than the broader health tech sector. https://lnkd.in/gAtmrhdR

Groove in the Women’s Health Sector After years of being overlooked and underestimated, Women’s Health is finally gaining traction. The White House recently announced the launch of the first-ever Initiative on Women’s Health Research. This initiative aims to mobilize both public and private sectors to fund women’s health research, drive innovation, close existing research gaps, and enhance diagnosis, disease prevention, education, and treatment. 2024 will mark the inaugural full year of implementation for this groundbreaking initiative. However, government support for women's health doesn't stop there. The Menopause Research and Equity Act, introduced to Congress last December, seeks to further bolster research efforts. If passed, this bill would mandate the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assemble a team of experts dedicated to evaluating current menopause research and recommending new studies to enhance understanding of perimenopause, menopause, and women’s midlife health overall. But it's not just government initiatives that are driving interest in women's health. Venture capitalists are increasingly interested and commited to the potential in this sector. Despite a dip in venture capital activity in 2023, the average deal size for women's health companies reached a historic high of $10.9 million. Generalist healthcare venture capitalists are also allocating a larger portion of their funding to women’s health startups. Historically, women's health startups have faced challenges in raising funds compared to other healthcare sectors. However, the tide is turning, with some startups defying the odds and demonstrating the lucrative potential of women's health. At Meroka, we see the immense promise within Women’s Health, viewing it not just as a economic opportunity but also as a vital aspect of social and community advancement. It’s time to empower and invest in women, helping them to reach new heights after being overlooked for far too long. We see the current advancements in the sphere as just the beginning of a trendsetting tailwind sweeping through the Women’s Health sphere. Join our mission!

Did Maven Clinic Just Redefine Women's Health with a $1.7 Billion Valuation? 💡 Making game-changing leaps in the women's health space, Maven Clinic has successfully secured a staggering $125 million in their latest funding round, placing its valuation at an awe-inspiring $1.7 billion! 👩⚕️💰 As announced on Tuesday, this innovative startup is channeling their newfound capital into continuing to revolutionize healthcare services for women – but how does this impact the future of female-focused healthcare? Committed to empowering women globally through accessible and comprehensive health services, Maven Clinic's impressive valuation marks a monumental shift in the healthcare industry landscape. For years, reinforcing women’s health was challenging due to limited options and resources - now Maven Clinic is set out on changing it all. But what exactly does this funding mean when it comes down to tangible advancements in female-centric medical care? 🤔 Let's dig into how this financial boost can aid the development of pertinent healthcare innovation that holistically caters to every woman’s unique needs. Your voice matters – let’s start a conversation about what we hope these leaps forward will materialize into for the future of our mothers, daughters and all other important women who walk among us! Ignite Corporate Innovation! 🚀 We offer AI solutions and automation designed to fuel your company's growth like nothing else. **[Book a meeting](https://lnkd.in/dRdRuwbk with us today! Join our community of 160K+ corporate decision-makers, investors and innovative founders committed to transforming innovation strategies into successful ventures! For more information about Maven Clinic’s rapid rise: https://lnkd.in/d_GMSdCa #MavenClinic #WomensHealth #Investment #HealthTech #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalHealth #StartUpSuccess #FemaleEntrepreneurship #AIInnovation #CorporateInnovation

The funding landscape for women’s health companies is getting better, partially due to more women getting promoted at VC firms and social media, execs said during a recent panel. There has also been a change in the number of women’s health companies that venture capitalists are willing to invest in. However, while the industry is moving in the right direction, there is still a long way to go, particularly for companies outside of maternal health and fertility. #womenshealth #innovation #VC #invest #leadership https://lnkd.in/ebdfu2am

Did Maven Clinic Just Redefine Women's Health with a $1.7 Billion Valuation? 💡 Making game-changing leaps in the women's health space, Maven Clinic has successfully secured a staggering $125 million in their latest funding round, placing its valuation at an awe-inspiring $1.7 billion! 👩⚕️💰 As announced on Tuesday, this innovative startup is channeling their newfound capital into continuing to revolutionize healthcare services for women – but how does this impact the future of female-focused healthcare? Committed to empowering women globally through accessible and comprehensive health services, Maven Clinic's impressive valuation marks a monumental shift in the healthcare industry landscape. For years, reinforcing women’s health was challenging due to limited options and resources - now Maven Clinic is set out on changing it all. But what exactly does this funding mean when it comes down to tangible advancements in female-centric medical care? 🤔 Let's dig into how this financial boost can aid the development of pertinent healthcare innovation that holistically caters to every woman’s unique needs. Your voice matters – let’s start a conversation about what we hope these leaps forward will materialize into for the future of our mothers, daughters and all other important women who walk among us! Ignite Corporate Innovation! 🚀 We offer AI solutions and automation designed to fuel your company's growth like nothing else. **[Book a meeting](https://lnkd.in/dRdRuwbk with us today! Join our community of 160K+ corporate decision-makers, investors and innovative founders committed to transforming innovation strategies into successful ventures! For more information about Maven Clinic’s rapid rise: https://lnkd.in/d_GMSdCa #MavenClinic #WomensHealth #Investment #HealthTech #WomenEmpowerment #DigitalHealth #StartUpSuccess #FemaleEntrepreneurship #AIInnovation #CorporateInnovation

I’ve seen startling numbers of female Medtech founders compared to when I started in this industry 20+ years ago as usually the only woman in the room. That being said - at a panel a few weeks back we heard less than 2% of VC funding goes to women-led businesses despite statistics showing they consistently outperform. And that percentage has gone DOWN over the last 12 months. So what is happening here? Is it the questions being asked of female founders (“how will you avoid failing” as opposed to “just how big can this get”)? Do we need to move to the example of orchestra directors “interviewing” musicians behind a curtain so they cannot tell who is playing (an experiment initially foiled by the sound of high heels but later proven out when women were as often chosen as men once carpeted floor was used)? Do men need to step back to make space? Do women need to step up in support of one another? Whatever the answer is, and it’s more than one, it’s going to have to be a conscious effort if we want an industry that reflects its patient population in diversity of thought and experience. And outside of plush carpeting, there are no easy answers.