Femtech in 2024: Empowering Women’s Health

Femtech, a term coined to describe technologies focused on women’s health, has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. It encompasses a range of solutions from healthcare to wellness, tailored specifically for women. 

The global surge in femtech is notable, with Israel playing a significant role. The country’s advancements in this field position it as a leader in innovation and development. 

More than Health Tech 

Femtech is not limited to healthcare; it spans various technologies. This includes reproductive health, menstrual cycle tracking, and fertility solutions, and extends to wellness, mental health, and lifestyle products designed for women. The scope extends into finance and safety, offering holistic solutions that address the unique needs of women in various aspects of life. 

The Global Femtech Landscape in 2024 

The global femtech sector has grown significantly, with approximately 1,800 companies and a cumulative investment of $1.6 billion as of April 2023. This growth reflects increased awareness and investment in the sector, highlighting its rising importance in the technology and health industries. 

Israel stands out in the global femtech market, boasting the fourth largest number of companies and ranking second in global investment in the sector with over 100 companies dedicated to women’s health and wellness. The last five years have seen a surge in Israeli femtech companies and investment, indicating a robust and growing ecosystem. 

Israeli Femtech: Key Verticals and Innovations 

Israeli femtech is diverse, with five main verticals: pregnancy, fertility, health, wellness, and oncology. Notably, pregnancy and fertility solutions represent around 43% of these companies. Israeli femtech innovations include advanced fertility tracking apps and digital platforms for comprehensive women’s health monitoring. 

Here are some notable examples of Israeli femtech companies: 

• MobileODT:  Specializing in cervical cancer screening, MobileODT uses advanced imaging and AI technology to enhance early detection. Their EVA System offers a smart, mobile colposcope designed to be used by healthcare professionals for cervical cancer screening, improving accessibility and accuracy. 

• ThermoMind: Leveraging next-generation thermal imaging modality based on AI-enhanced dynamic thermography, ThermoMind is on a mission to save lives through early breast cancer screening and detection.   

• Shela: A Sheba Medical Center and Bar-Ilan University joint venture, developing Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine predictions based on clinical data integrated with multiomics. 

• AIVF: AI-powered IVF solutions for clinics, labs, and patients to help increase the certainty of a successful journey to parenthood. 

• Livia: A unique solution for menstrual pain relief using electrical micro-pulses to alleviate menstrual cramps, providing a drug-free alternative for pain management during menstruation. 

• OCON Healthcare: Specializing in women’s intrauterine health, OCON Healthcare has developed the IUB, a hormone-free intrauterine ball used as a long-term reversible contraceptive. This product is designed to be safer and more comfortable than traditional intrauterine devices (IUDs). 

• Identifai Genetics: Cutting-edge bioinformatics technology that offers an early and comprehensive prenatal screening test for genetic syndromes. Using a simple blood test from the mother during the first trimester of the pregnancy, our proprietary data science algorithms provide a high-resolution yet comprehensive perspective of the fetus’s health at an early stage of the pregnancy. 

These companies represent the diversity and innovation within the Israeli femtech sector, addressing various aspects of women’s health from cancer screening to maternal health, breastfeeding, menstrual pain, and beyond. Their solutions are not only innovative but also contribute significantly to improving the quality of life and health outcomes for women globally. 

Challenges and Opportunities  

The sector faces challenges such as investor bias and the misconception of women’s health as a niche market, despite women making up half the global population. Opportunities lie in underexplored areas like menopause and endometriosis. There’s a need for more diverse funding to support a wider range of femtech innovations. 

Trends and Predictions 

Femtech is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with a focus on personalized and AI-driven healthcare solutions. The future of the sector is also shaped by the increasing presence of women in leadership and investment roles, influencing its direction and growth. 

Spotlight on Israeli Femtech Leading the Way Forward 

Israel’s position in the femtech ecosystem drives global advancements in women’s health technology, highlighting its potential as a leader in this field. Israel’s strong healthcare system and extensive digital health records position it as a potential leader in the field. There’s a noticeable trend of increasing Israeli investment in femtech, moving from reliance on foreign investors to domestic funding and support and indicating a strong belief in the sector’s potential.