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The UK has the largest gender health gap in the G20 and the 12th largest globally. The reality of this means that women across the country are often facing delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, outdated treatment options and disparities in care.
This is reflected across the globe, as women spend around 25% more of their lives in ill health compared to men. Despite this, only 1% of global healthcare research and innovation is dedicated to women-specific conditions, according to a report by the World Economic Forum and the McKinsey Health Institute.
Accelerating FemTech was designed to support early-stage innovators to address crucial challenges in women's health, providing them with the tools they need to gain commercial and funding momentum. The 10 week programme, which is funded by Innovate UK in collaboration with the Medical Research Council, is delivered in partners from across the UK, leading with a collaborative approach to connect participants with expertise, networks and markets from across the country, enhancing the spread of innovations and providing long-term benefits for women's health (read more about the nation-wide partnerships that shape the programme in this blog from Dr Sean Clarkson, Head of Strategic Operations at Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Business Coach for the programme.)
Across two cohorts, which were delivered between September 2023 and March 2024, the programme supported a total of 33 innovations for women's health. The area of innovation and type of technology ranged from AI-driven menopause support systems to hormone monitoring devices, at-home cervical screening kits and revolutionary maternity training platforms.
During the programme, participants benefitted from a varied curriculum of both virtual and in-person sessions. This included one-to-one guidance from business coaches and mentors, workshops and masterclasses lead by subject matter experts, residentials and opportunities for networking with peers and stakeholders, and a final showcase opportunity.
The impact of the programme was also enhanced by a special closed-call feasibility funding opportunity through the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst. Participants were supported to prepare their application, with companies from cohort 1 awarded more than £1 million.
Across cohort 2, we have witnessed the development of 21 incredible solutions for women's health. It has been a pleasure to watch these innovators grow in confidence and conviction, working closely with our partners from across the UK through mentoring, business coaching, workshops and networking. We look forward to their continued success as they apply for the special closed call feasibility funding opportunity through Innovate UK's Biomedical Catalyst.Katya Masconi-Yule, Senior Programme Manager
The Accelerating FemTech 2024/25 evaluation explores the impact of the programme on FemTech innovators to address crucial women's health challenges. It reviews both cohorts of the Accelerating FemTech programme to better understand the experiences of participants, including the most impactful elements, key benefits and areas for growth. Data was collected through:
The majority of participants rated their satisfaction with the programme highly, with many expressing strong appreciation for the support and resources provided. Most participants indicated that they would recommend the programme to others, highlighting its value and impact on their professional growth.
"I’ve never felt more supported. My Business Coach was incredibly helpful, well-connected, always reachable, and always had an answer to my questions… This has been the most transformative accelerator I’ve experienced in terms of progress…"
- Participant, cohort 2
12 UK-based SMEs were part of the Accelerate phase of the first cohort. For the second cohort, the programme expanded to support 21 early-stage companies, university spinouts and entrepreneurial-minded academics focused on women’s health.
The programme was open to innovators of any gender developing solutions for women’s health. Across both cohorts, the proportion of female owned, or female majority led companies at all three stages of recruitment was on average 66.6%.
Across both cohorts, bespoke support included virtual webinars, in-person residentials, sessions with business coaches, one-to-one sessions with subject matter experts and bespoke networking dinners.
Participants appreciated the availability and expertise of subject matter experts, especially the depth of knowledge and practical support they provided.
Residential events were well received across both cohorts (4.4/5 from cohort 1 and 4.6/5 from cohort 2) with the chance to network with peers and experts cited as a highlight.
The value proposition and evidence generation workshops were popular for cohort 1, with cohort 2 appreciating the health economics and regulation sessions.
Innovators across both cohorts were supported to prepare for a special closed-call feasibility funding opportunity though Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst. As a result, 95.5% of participants felt the programme prepared them for the application, and a share of over £1 million was awarded to cohort 1.
The Net Promoter Scores for both cohorts were in the Great category (66.7 and 53 respectively).
Allow ample time for innovators to process information. This was addressed in cohort 2 with a three week break in the middle of programme delivery.
Facilitate more networking opportunities with investors. Cohort 2, for example, included a specific investor dinner for participants make connections.
Opportunities for informal networking with peers would be welcomed.
Identify additional ways to make the matching process between mentors and mentees even better.
Incorporate more practical components alongside the virtual curriculum sessions to support upskilling.
Explore designing a multi-track cohort based on characteristics like university spin-out and start-up, maturity or target market to allow for a more tailored curriculum of support.
A standout from the Accelerating FemTech programme has been the way these early-stage founders have come together as a cohort, connecting at our residential days, collaborating to push forward new ideas and celebrating each others successes. This demonstrates the significant impact of programmes like Accelerating FemTech, which unite innovators to face critical challenges whilst also providing them with the tools they need to make tangible change happen.Sara Nelson, Programme Director
The programme has shown that despite professional background, tailored support for FemTech founders is important for the success of innovators and that there is a clear appetite for innovations in women’s health. Through the bespoke support of the programme and early-stage investment through special closed-call feasibility funding opportunities through Innovate UK’s Biomedical Catalyst, innovators have been provided an impactful environment to develop, connect and grow.
The Accelerating FemTech programme and its evaluation confirm an ongoing need for tailored support for women’s health innovators. Our experiences, impact and expanding network demonstrate that this demand is not limited to earlystage startups, it also extends to innovators who are in more advanced stages of development. We’re committed to building on the Accelerating FemTech programme to provide comprehensive support that benefits the entire FemTech innovation lifecycle to ultimately make a real difference to women’s lives.
Click the button below to read the full Accelerating FemTech evaluation and learn more about key benefits, impacts and reflections from two cohorts of the Innovate UK-funded programme
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