August FemTech Roundup
August 2025 was a landmark month for FemTech and women’s health innovation. From billion-dollar commitments to cutting-edge diagnostics, the momentum is undeniable: women’s health is finally stepping into the spotlight it deserves. Here’s your roundup of the biggest stories shaping the future of this industry.
Big Bets & Bold Moves
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed an astounding $2.5 billion through 2030 to accelerate research and development in maternal health, gynecological care, contraceptive innovation, and menstrual and sexual health. This pledge will fund over 40 innovations worldwide, aiming to close health equity gaps across low- and middle-income countries.
- Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) and University College Cork (UCC) released the report FemTech in Ireland, positioning the country as a potential global powerhouse in women’s health research and innovation. With over 75% of FemTech founders being women and projections of the industry hitting nearly €100 billion by 2030, Ireland is on the map for investors, innovators, and policymakers alike.
- Springboard Enterprises unveiled its 2025 Healthcare & Technology Accelerator cohort, spotlighting trailblazing founders such as Dr. Amy Wu of Antelope Surgical Solutions, who is tackling real-time cancer detection, and Hema Mandlekar of LumosFit, pioneering AI wearables for reversing prediabetes.
Fundraising & Founders on the Move
Hesta Health raised £2M pre-seed funding to address the postnatal care gap, co-founded by Dr. Sujitha Selvarajah.Equip Health secured a $47M raise to scale its virtual treatment model for eating disorders.Daye launched an at-home hormone testing service, expanding the reach of at-home diagnostics for women.Contraline licensed a novel male contraceptive gel from the Population Council, signaling progress toward more equitable reproductive responsibility.Carrot Fertility expanded its network with 4,200 new providers across the U.S., furthering access to fertility care.Studies showed that Hello Heart successfully lowers blood pressure in menopausal women with its digital platform, while Evvy reduces bacterial vaginosis recurrence through its at-home testing platform.Portfolia launched its Women’s Health Fund IV, continuing its legacy of backing groundbreaking companies such as Gameto.EliseAI closed a monumental $250M Series E round, expanding its AI-driven approach to women’s health and care navigation.
The Conversation: Labels, Privacy, and Progress
Sarita Stefani, CEO of Amilis, sparked discussion around the term FemTech, suggesting that while empowering, the label can also pigeonhole startups, making it easier for investors to dismiss women’s health companies. The call to evolve language is gaining traction. A Cambridge University study found that commercial period-tracking apps often compromise women’s privacy, putting sensitive health data at risk. This has fueled calls for publicly governed alternatives that prioritize data ethics, security, and user consent.
Why It Matters
From record-breaking funding rounds to groundbreaking policy reports, August 2025 made one thing clear: women’s health is not a niche market, it’s a central pillar of global healthcare innovation.
The conversation is shifting. Innovators, investors, policymakers, and advocates are uniting to ensure that women’s health is prioritized—not sidelined.
What’s Next?
InsideHer is your front-row seat to this revolution. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Stay informed with our monthly roundups and deep-dive features.
- Engage with trailblazing founders and companies leading the charge.
- Join the conversation on where investment and innovation should go next.
The future of healthcare is inclusive, data-driven, and transformative—and women’s health is leading the way.
Follow InsideHer for more news, science, and insights from the frontlines of women’s health innovation.
