These are the tech pioneers who have made it their mission to change the lives of women around the world
For centuries, women’s health has been overlooked and underfunded in scientific research. In fact, the mention of women's health or bodies still remain taboo in many parts of the world. As a result, there are still question marks surrounding some of the most common conditions faced by women, from menstruation and menopause to fertility and sexual health. Fortunately, things have begun to change with the rise of femtech.
The femtech industry aims to develop and leverage technology to tackle existing women's issues while gathering data to further the research into these areas. In the last decade, the industry—once considered too niche or risky for investors—has boomed, attracting approximately US$5.7 billion in funding worldwide in 2021. These investments have made a world of difference, empowering millions of women to take control of their health and better understand their bodies.
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In conjunction with International Women's Day, we highlight seven Asian women, who are taking the industry to new heights with advanced and accessible solutions for women in their region and beyond.
1. Dr Mabel Yen Ngoc Nguyen, EloCare
With a PhD in biomedical engineering from the National University of Singapore with expertise in medical devices and applications, Dr Mabel Yen Ngoc Nguyen is the co-founder and CEO of a one-of-a-kind menopause tracker that uses AI and internet of medical things (IoMT) to help women. The Singapore-based health startup provides a wearable device and mobile app to monitor and track over 35 menopausal symptoms with data collection and self-assessments, to help women understand their condition.
In June 2021, EloCare won Enterprise Singapore's ESG Healthcare Open Innovation Challenge. It was awarded with US$1.5 million to develop and deploy its unique research-based solutions in partnership with the country's leading healthcare providers.