Women’s health is gaining much-needed attention with the femtech industry emerging as a crucial driver of innovation. Globally, the sector is expanding rapidly, tackling long-standing gaps in care and breaking down stigmas surrounding women’s health.
Reports show the immense potential of this market—Deloitte projects femtech to surpass $100 billion in market value by 2032, while McKinsey estimates the broader women’s health market will reach $1 trillion annually by 2040.
In Southeast Asia, while the femtech ecosystem is still at an early stage, its potential is undeniable. Recognizing the importance of nurturing its growth in the region, Malaysia’s leading venture capital firm, 1337 Ventures, has introduced Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her, a tailored edition of its flagship accelerator programme focused on women’s health innovation.
The eight-week programme aims to provide a comprehensive platform for femtech startups to validate their ideas, achieve product-market fit, and grow their businesses.
Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her is open to startups at any stage, welcoming founders of all genders whose solutions address key gaps in women’s health. The programme focuses on innovation in areas such as:
- Personalised Healthcare (AI, Data Analytics, Telehealth)
- Menopause & Aging Health
- Menstrual Health
- Advanced Maternal Care
- Fertility & Reproductive Health
- Wearables for Women’s Health
“Femtech is still nascent in Southeast Asia, but we see its immense potential to transform women’s healthcare, said Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures.
“With Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her, we’re not just investing in startups; we’re investing in the future of women’s wellbeing in the region. We’re excited to support these innovators as they drive change and create lasting impact”.”
Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO & Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures
Throughout the programme, the startups will learn how to validate their ideas, build revenue-generating business models, develop a minimum viable product (MVP), and prepare for fundraising.
They will also benefit from mentoring by industry experts such as Doc On Call, BabyDash, Concept Fertility Centre, and Christina Teo, founder of She1K. These leaders bring deep insights from various femtech segments—including maternal care, fertility, and personalized healthcare—providing invaluable guidance to help the startups navigate the industry’s unique challenges.
Additionally, the startups will have opportunities to network and collaborate with other startups and health-focused corporates. These connections are vital for creating supportive communities and driving shared progress in advancing women’s health solutions.
Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her will culminate in a demo day, where startups will pitch their ideas to investors and industry leaders, showcasing their innovations for potential funding.
Applications are open until 6 February 2025, with the cohort commencing later that month. Building on the success of the earlier Alpha Startups™ for Women, which was exclusively for women-led startups, Inno4Her aims to broaden the scope of innovation in women’s health and wellness. Aspiring femtech entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her at https://bit.ly/inno4her
In conjunction with Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her accelerator, we’ve curated a webinar series highlighting female-led innovations in tech, health, and wellness. Discover inspiring stories from FemTech founders addressing challenges and empowering women.
Topics include navigating the women’s health scene with Christina Teo, menstrual health and social impact with Anja Juliah Abu Bakar, women’s health across life stages by Sherry Sheriff (14 Jan), motherhood insights by Lavinie Thiruchelvam (17 Jan), and aging gracefully with Oretha Herrera (23 Jan). RSVP now at https://bit.ly/inno4herwebinars
Alpha Startups™ Inno4Her is supported by community partners WORQ and Disruptive Doctors.
