Femtech Summit Highlights Funding Gap for Women-Led Startups
Despite dominating femtech innovation, women founders receive disproportionately low VC investment.
1Femtech's gender funding paradox
While 85% of global femtech startups are founded by women, they receive significantly less investment than male-led counterparts. The Femtech Connect summit revealed this disparity persists even when women-led startups close more deals. FemHealth Insights tracks over 1,700 active femtech companies worldwide, up from 1,400 in recent years. Antigoni Studios, Canada's first femtech-focused VC, organized the event to address this capital imbalance through founder showcases and investor discussions.
2Medical research's gender blind spot
The summit highlighted how systemic biases extend beyond funding. In Canada, fewer than 25% of health researchers accounted for biological sex in studies as recently as 2010. US data shows less than 1% of pharma R&D targets women's health. These gaps lead to poorer medical outcomes for women, including adverse drug reactions and underdiagnosed conditions. Brittany Barreto's keynote connected these clinical shortcomings to investment risks in traditional healthcare ventures.
3VC decision-makers' gender gap
Less than 15% of Canadian VC general partners are women, creating structural barriers for femtech funding. Panelists argued this imbalance affects capital allocation patterns. The51's Courtney Dragani noted investment decisions change when women comprise 30-40% of decision-makers. Sprout Fund's Kristina Milke emphasized activating female private investors could shift dynamics, as many women control household investment decisions but lack guidance on alternative asset classes.
4Market potential versus perception
McKinsey estimates addressing women's health gaps could generate $1 trillion in global GDP by 2040. Dragani described femtech as
5Investor education opportunity
The summit identified financial literacy as key to closing the funding gap. Panelists noted women are frequently asked about charitable donations but rarely about investment choices. Dragani advocated reframing capital deployment as impact investing rather than philanthropy. Milke highlighted untapped potential in educating women managing family finances about femtech's growth potential and social returns.
6Femtech's broad health impact
The conference defined femtech as technologies addressing needs disproportionately affecting women and those assigned female at birth. This includes reproductive health, menopause care, and conditions presenting differently in female biology. Alberta Women's Health Foundation representatives detailed how existing medical models based on male physiology create diagnostic and treatment gaps that femtech innovations could address.
7Canada's emerging femtech ecosystem
Antigoni Studios' Edmonton base reflects Alberta's growing role in women's health innovation. The summit featured local founders alongside US pioneer Barreto, showcasing cross-border collaboration opportunities. As Canada's first femtech-focused VC, Antigoni aims to build national capacity in the sector while addressing regional investment disparities beyond traditional tech hubs.
8Systemic change through capital
The conference framed femtech funding as both financial opportunity and social imperative. Barreto demonstrated how investing in women's health research generates medical advances and business returns. Panelists agreed increasing women's representation in investment decision-making would naturally redirect capital to underserved areas, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and inclusion in healthcare technology.
Original article: BetaKit — Femtech Summit Highlights Funding Gap for Women-Led Startups