In this powerful episode we sit down with Malin Frithiofsson, Co-Founder & CEO of Daya Ventures - the world’s first FemTech venture studio built to close the gender health gap.

Malin brings an unfiltered, deeply human perspective to the conversation, sharing how frustration with the tech industry’s obsession with “non-problems” pushed her to build a model that actually moves the needle in women’s health. Through evidence, community, systemic thinking, and fierce emotional commitment, Daya is redefining what innovation in FemTech should look like.

💡 Inside the episode:
• Why real innovation in women’s health isn’t born from “eureka moments”
• The Daya method: 2-month interventions, 600 experts, and radical problem-first startup creation
• The emotional reality of “killing” ideas — and why it’s necessary
• The creation story of Glimmer: the startup tackling childbirth fear, trauma, and its massive societal costs
• How insurers, employers, and health systems become FemTech’s biggest customers
• Why founders need both data and emotional attachment to survive the FemTech journey
• What true impact looks like when women’s health becomes the center, not the afterthought

Malin also opens up about her own traumatic birth experiences, postpartum depression, and how solutions like Glimmer could have changed everything — a raw, honest reminder of why FemTech matters.

This conversation is a masterclass in building startups that matter - insightful, emotional, practical, and full of hard-earned wisdom.

If you’re a FemTech founder, investor, builder, or anyone passionate about women’s health, this episode is required listening.

The episode’s guest is Rachel Bartholomew, founder of Hyivy Health and head of FemTech Canada and FemTech Across Borders. We discussed Rachel's personal journey through cancer and how it inspired her to innovate in women's health. The conversation delves into the challenges of fundraising in the FemTech sector, the importance of community support, and the initiatives being taken to secure funding for women's health in Canada. Rachel shares insights on navigating the fundraising landscape, building a supportive network, and the future of FemTech on a global scale.

#FemTech#fundraising#startups#women'shealth#innovation#community#investors#medicaldevices#FemTechCanada#FemTechAcrossBorders

In this episode, Trish Costello, Founder and CEO of Portfolia, shares her inspiring journey - from leading a battered women’s shelter to becoming one of the most influential venture capitalists in women’s health and FemTech.

Trish opens up about the evolution of Portfolia, the power of collaborative investing, and how the definition of FemTech has expanded over the years. She also discusses the launche ofWomen's Health Fund IV investing in breakthrough healthcare solutions and innovative companies, shifts in investor behavior, and why inclusivity in healthcare is key to the future of innovation in women’s health.

We're thrilled to share our latest FemTech Real Money Talks episode featuring Ida Tin, co-founder of Clue and the visionary who coined the term "FemTech" in 2016 - a moment that transformed the industry and created a powerful community of innovators in women's health.

Key highlights from our candid conversation:

The origin story of "FemTech" and how one word created visibility for an entire industry

Fundraising challenges in women's health: "If we truly took women's bodies seriously, we would rebuild the whole world"

The critical importance of data privacy in women's health apps and building trust with users

The $1 trillion opportunity: McKinsey's recent report shows how adequate healthcare for women could transform the global economy

The future of FemTech innovation: from molecular-level technologies to biomarkers and continuous monitoring

🔥 Hot Take: "It's absurd that we don't have longitudinal data on our hormonal lives. Why can't we have predictive models for menopause?"

Ida also shared exciting news about her upcoming think tank "FemTech Assembly" aimed at articulating the crucial link between FemTech, economic growth, and planetary health.

👉 Whether you're a founder, investor, or innovator in the FemTech space, this episode offers invaluable insights into building impactful, ethical products that truly serve women's needs.

Listen to the full episode: [Link]

#FemTech #WomensHealth #StartupFunding #Innovation #HealthTech #VentureCapital #WomenInTech

What resonates most with you about the evolution of FemTech? Share your thoughts below! 🗣️

In this episode of FemTech Real Money Talks, we speak with Jas Schembri-Stothart, co-founder of Luna, a digital health and wellbeing platform designed specifically for teen girls. Jas shares the development of Luna, from its early concept during an MBA at Oxford to becoming a globally available app with over 100,000 members across 162 countries. Key Topics Discussed:

• The challenges of addressing teenagers' unique health and wellness needs.
• Luna’s growth strategy, including community-driven development and referral-based expansion.
• How Jas and her co-founder approached fundraising, balancing angel investment and early traction.
• Building a platform for teenagers while navigating parental concerns and engagement.
• Luna’s plans for expansion and localization in key markets.

Jas reflects on Luna’s mission: "Teenagers told us they wanted a platform that felt relatable, holistic, and empowering. Luna was built to be that 'big sister' they can turn to—addressing everything from health to friendships."

In this episode, we speak with Tatiana Chavarriaga, the founder of Evie, an evidence-based Digital Therapeutic App empowering women to take control of their pelvic floor symptoms. Tatiana shares her inspiring journey from Colombia to Estonia, where she became part of a thriving startup ecosystem and launched her second product.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How did Tatiana, a native of Colombia, find her way to Estonia?
• Insights into Estonia's startup ecosystem
• The evolution of Tatiana’s first startup and her decision to build Evie
• The unique co-founder dynamic: how Tatiana and her male co-founder divide responsibilities
• How to explain pelvic floor health to male investors
• Inside the app: who the physiotherapists are, who the target audience is, and what future markets it aims to capture
• Business model exploration: why the team chose a subscription-based approach
• Marketing strategies: how Evie plans to navigate social media censorship

Tatiana provides a fresh perspective on addressing a critical yet under-discussed aspect of women's health through technology and innovation.

🎧 Listen to the episode on all major podcast platforms!

In this episode, we sit down with Cintia Mano, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience who currently serves as CEO at COREangels - a global brand of hands-on angels investing in early-stage startups through local portfolio funds.

Key Topics Explored:

• How the COREangels operates and what startups they invest in
• Cintia's first angel investment experience and its outcome
• The non-financial role an angel investor can play in supporting startups
• Gender diversity in their network: representation of women among investors and portfolio company founders
• Why Cintia prefers founders around 40 years old
• How angel investors can generate returns and typical investment horizons
• Average check per investor and expected timeframes

• Experience of COREangels with FemTech investments and lessons learned

In this episode, we sit down with Jérôme Michaud, the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of PhenomX Health, a FemTech startup dedicated to enhancing the vitality, longevity, and wellbeing of 1 billion midlife women. Jérôme shares his journey from a successful career at Procter & Gamble to becoming a FemTech entrepreneur.

Key Topics Explored:

• What does the transition from corporate life to FemTech entrepreneurship look like?
• Are accelerator programs truly beneficial for early-stage FemTech startups?
• Why are branding and IP crucial in the FemTech industry in Europe?
• What are the strategic differences in developing FemTech products for the US vs. European markets?
• How is PhenomX Health approaching its go-to-market strategy and fundraising?
• What's the secret to successfully launching pilot programs with corporations?

Jérôme offers a wealth of knowledge on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the rapidly evolving FemTech landscape. His unique perspective as a business leader with both corporate and startup experience provides invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and those interested in the future of women's health technology.

Listen to the podcast on all major podcast platforms.