Why understanding investment is key to driving innovation by Marina Gerner

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Femtech: Bridging the Gender Gap in Technology and Investment

Hi there! It's an honour to have your attention as we delve into the exciting and often under-discussed realm of female technology, or Femtech. As a London-based journalist and adjunct professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, my curiosity on this topic has been piqued, leading to extensive research, discussions and, ultimately, an upcoming book on the same.

What is Femtech?

For those of you who are new to the term Femtech, it's technology developed specifically with women's health and pleasure at the forefront. Unlike Fintech, which primarily deals with financial technology, Femtech covers a broad range of digital platforms to medical devices – all designed to cater to women and their unique health concerns.

Misconceptions about Women's Health

Consider this - the typical symptoms of a heart attack that most people know of are mostly associated with men. From chest pain radiating to the left arm to severe discomfort that feels like an immense weight on the chest, all these symptoms are usually associated with men. The Hollywood portrayal of 'old men' having heart attacks doesn't help, either.

In actuality, women are just as likely as men to have heart attacks, especially after menopause. However, due to lack of knowledge on spotting cardiovascular health issues in women, many women tend to seek medical help much later than they should.

Femtech Companies Bridging the Gap

Thankfully, some forward-thinking Femtech companies are beginning to address the lack of data and awareness about women's health conditions, like this one that has developed a 'smart bra' to monitor heart health. Their pioneering work is helping to fill the massive gender data gap in healthcare.

Investing in Femtech

One major stumbling block interfering with positively disrupting this niche is arguably the reluctance from majority male-oriented venture capital investors to talk about topics like childbirth, menopause and sexual pleasure. Understandably, these topics can be uncomfortable for some, but that discomfort becomes a barrier to progression.

  • Even though startups founded by women have doubled over the last decade, they still receive a minuscule 2% of overall VC capital.
  • About 90% of venture capital investors in the UK and the US are men.

So, it's clear that if we want to see more innovation to benefit women, there is a need for women and other underrepresented groups to better understand the world of investment.

Personal Investment – A Growing Trend

The rise of self-directed or DIY investors is a promising trend on the horizon. Thanks to the internet, we now have tools that facilitate personal investing – much like booking a holiday or finding a date online. This means more people can become DIY or Angel investors, investing in early-stage companies and potentially turning the tide in Femtech's favour. For example, the startup success story Hopin has raised over $1 billion in venture capital, proving the potential of this nascent industry.

A Look into the History

Did you know that in 1840, nearly half of Britain's government bond investors were women? It might seem surprisingly, but remember that investing has not always been a men's world.

Wrapping Up

Investing can empower women to drive the innovation they want to see, particularly in niches like Femtech. By taking control of our finances, investigating where our money (pension funds, for instance) is invested, and considering DIY investing, we can make a difference. I encourage anyone interested to dive further into this topic through additional reading and discussion. If you'd like to learn more about my work in Femtech or investment, please stay in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you!

By Marina Garner


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