Author page: Kathrin Folkendt

From Sexologist to Startup Founder: How Rebecca Alvarez Story’s Pioneering Work Helped Create the Sexual Wellness Category

Five years ago in a rapidly evolving world, where conversations about intimacy were often hushed and products remained hidden in the shadows, sexologist Rebecca Alvarez Story, set out on a remarkable mission. With years of experience supporting individuals on their journeys towards sexual wellness, she recognized the need for a paradigm shift in the space and created Bloomi, a category-defining brand that…

Frost & Sullivan Unveils the Top Growth Opportunities in Global Women’s Health in 2030

Just yesterday “EmpowerHer 2030: Top Growth Opportunities in Accelerating Women’s Health,” a webinar organized by Frost & Sullivan brought together the femtech community to explore the evolving landscape of women’s health. The session focused on growth potential and emerging markets within women’s health, and built upon extensive primary research by Frost & Sullivan conducted over three months, incorporating a vast number of…

How Solo GP Kristina Simmons Raised a $20M Debut Fund to Drive Innovation in Human and Planetary Health

Overwater Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by Kristina Simmons, former Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and former Chief of Staff at Khosla Ventures, has successfully closed Fund I with $20 million in assets under management (AUM). Despite the challenging economic climate, Simmons, as a Solo-GP and pregnant at the time, managed to raise the fund to back breakthrough companies that improve the…

Recharge Capital Launches Generation Prime, a “Full-Stack, Closed-Loop IVF Clinic” Network in Southeast Asia

According to studies, 50% of couples are expected to rely on IVF for conception by 2045. Demand for IVF and related fertility services is rapidly growing around the world, yet – although treatments are available – many struggle to access the care they need on their family planning journey.  This is especially true in emerging markets, where the development of new technologies…

Intrinsic Adds $15M to Build a Next-Gen Women’s Health Platform Business

Back in 2021 we wrote about Bump Health’s ambition to build the “P&G of the 21st Century” and were left with the question what a women’s health focused, digital-first consumer health brand would actually look like and how one could best execute on this vision. Since then Bump Health has changed its course, and Femtec Health, another women’s health platform company, has…

Tia Expands Mental Health Services Advancing Its “Whole Woman, Whole Life” Care Model

A few weeks ago Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures announced an investment into Tia, the US-based women’s health scale-up, which brought funding to an estimated $150M. At the time of the announcement Tia Founder & CEO Carolyn Witte also shared that while the company had to cut back on its growth plans due to the economic environment, it was expecting the launch…

Embr Labs Raises $35M in Debt Financing for Its Thermoregulating Wristband for Women Going Through Menopause

It’s been two years since we last spoke to Liz Gazda, CEO of Embr Labs. Back then the company had just released Wave 2, the second iteration of its wearable and app. The bracelet, designed to help women going through menopause with hot flashes, deploys cooling or warming sensations or “waveforms” to the temperature-sensitive skin on the inside of the wrist, detected…

Mosie Baby: Everything You Need to Know (Review 2023)

In the United States, among married women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying according to data shared by the CDC. Infertility can be a big problem for those affected, the leading fertility treatements like IVF are expensive and often uncomfortable and unpleasant. There is a…