5 Asian Women in Femtech to Watch

These are the tech pioneers who are taking the industry to new heights and changing lives with advanced and accessible solutions for women in their region and beyond

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.

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-akind 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.

2 AUDREY TSANG, CLUE

Among the female leaders behind one of the biggest menstrual health tracking apps in the world is Audrey Tsang. Since taking up the role of chief product officer of Clue in 2020, she has overseen the rollout of the Clue Pregnancy Mode to help women track their body from conception to six weeks post-partum, with information on physical and emotional wellbeing from specialists. In 2022, the Berlin-based femtech plans to put its US$18 million of funding raised in the last quarter to use. It is currently gearing itself to transition into a direct-to-consumer medical device as a digital contraceptive.

3 MARIA WANG-FAULKNER, SIMONE HEALTH

In September 2020, Maria Wang-faulkner co-founded Simone Health to help women manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects 116 million women worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.

Based in Singapore, Simone Health works with experts, including nutritionists, psychologists and more, to virtually deliver support for women, whether it is research-backed information or 12week plans. It also steers clear from the weight-based tracking approach, instead focusing on hormones that drive the most common PCOS symptoms, such as periods, insulin resistance, diabetes and heart risks. In just one year, Simone Health has secured the backing from 500 Global, the venture capital firm who was the early backer of Grab, Canva and more.

4 ANNA LEE, LIONESS

Founded in 2016, Lioness introduced us to the world’s first and only smart vibrator that collects biofeedback data to help women understand their body and sexual wellbeing. Based in San Francisco, this femtech startup aims to de-stigmatise female sexuality and stimulate more research in sexual health. At the helm is co-founder Anna Lee, a mechanical engineer from UC Berkeley with extensive experience launching innovations in Amazon. Along with Liz Klinger, she is the face of a new technology-driven wave of sexual revolution in the world.

5 GEETHA MANJUNATH, NIRAMAI HEALTH ANALYTIX

This health tech startup uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect breast cancer with thermographic images. According to its website, its diagnostic engine Thermalytix is peer-reviewed, regulatory cleared in India and holds 10 patents with the USPTO. Founded and led by Geetha Manjunath, it has been praised for being a science-backed, non-invasive and accessible solution for women in India. Niramai’s last Series A funding round in 2019 raised US$6 million with investors including Pi Ventures, a fund backed by CDC Group. It has also won several awards, including World Bank’s Women Health Tech Awards 2021.