Authors: Shelly Bloch, Founder of FemTech IL, Jennifer Elias, and Jessica Rosner Founders of Tech It Forward
Imagine an app that tailors medication dosages to women’s hormonal changes of their cycles when necessary.
A wearable device that tracks fertility and provides deeper insights into women’s health. An AI-powered tool revolutionizing the path to parenthood, making IVF treatments more efficient and more accessible, or a platform that uses cutting-edge tech to combat online sexual abuse and protect victims of digital harassment.
Welcome to Israel, where FemTech startups are transforming lives with groundbreaking innovations and redefining what’s possible.
The world of FemTech is growing rapidly, driven by the need for innovative solutions that address women’s health and well-being. Israel, with its entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking technology, has become a key player in this field.
At Tech It Forward, we’ve always been passionate about connecting the dots between innovation and opportunity. That’s why we’re excited to announce our collaboration with FemTech IL, Israel’s leading FemTech community. This collaboration bridges FemTech IL’s deep-rooted connection to Israel’s FemTech innovators with Tech It Forward’s proven track record of connecting Israeli startups to global markets. Together, we are uniquely positioned to amplify the impact of Israeli FemTech on an international scale.
What is FemTech all about?
Femtech, short for "female technology" refers to technological solutions and innovation addressing women’s issues of all kinds. It has become one of the fastest-growing markets of our time. After years of being overlooked, female based challenges are finally coming to the forefront, driving conversations, creating opportunities, and unlocking immense potential for innovation. Women represent a significant market segment, and with the rise of data, awareness, and advocacy, the demand for impactful solutions is accelerating.
As a hightech sector, Femtech includes technologies aimed at addressing womens’ issues or promoting gender equality. The term also represents a professional standard, emphasizing the importance of designing products and services that address the needs of all genders - regardless of the field- resulting in better, more effective solutions.
Femtech key verticals include female health technologies (for diverse women’s health needs, but also for menopause, contraception, pregnancy and birth, fertility, menstrual cycle, sexuality...) but not only. Many femtech aim to solve other topics and problems women are facing such as domestic violence, gender-based violence, education and careers, finance education, dating and relationships for instance.
Why Israel is an Ideal Ground for FemTech Developments
Israel is globally recognized as the “Startup Nation”: the country with the highest density of startups per capita. It possesses an incredible entrepreneurial spirit, high technological innovation, as well as supportive organizations and public systems. For instance, Israel Innovation Authority, various accelerators and VCs for different startup stages, a range of entrepreneurship and innovation programs in academic institutions, municipal organizations and more.
International business culture: Israel constitutes a small market, but it is characterized by a cosmopolitan culture, diverse and extensive work connections, and its tech industry caters to the whole world.
A strong public health system: Despite its complexities and shortcomings, the Israeli healthcare system has many advantages that contribute to the FemTech Ecosystem. The Israeli healthcare system has an interest in advancing public health, Thus, the potential for collaboration between different systems and various organizations for the advancement of broad processes aimed at promoting innovation in healthcare is significant. Additionally, the Israeli healthcare system has the potential to facilitate the collection of data on women and the issues that affect them - a critical aspect concerning developing solutions for women's needs.
High gender awareness: Israelis are known for their interest and involvement in current affairs. This is one reason why Israeli women have a strong gender awareness. They are exposed to developments concerning gender power dynamics, gender disparities, inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, and many are involved in promoting women's issues in one way or another. This awareness leads to a high demand from women - as patients, users, and customers - for better solutions concerning issues affecting women. Moreover, this awareness drives many women to be proactive themselves - to become entrepreneurs or even advocate for the issue within their work framework.
Future Trends in the Israeli Ecosystem
Israel these days is facing few significant challenges. Despite them, civil society is highly active. The tech industry is the leading and most impactful business sector in Israel counting for 13% of its GDP and 38% of Israel’s annual exports. Its leadership is present in other domains within society such as culture, politics, and social spheres. There's a noticeable migration of norms from the tech industry to other domains – proactive attitudes, initiatives, innovative thinking, driving broad processes, and more. At this juncture characterized by numerous uncertainties, it's difficult to envision the future. However, there are several trends that we are confident will continue:
[1] Increased awareness of women's needs and the issues affecting them - among women themselves, the tech and other relevant industries, and the general public. [2] Recognition of the economic potential inherent in the women's market. [3] Strengthening of the tech industry within the Israeli and global business landscapes.
Therefore, despite the uncertainty, we are confident that the Israeli FemTech ecosystem will continue to progress and strengthen.
Promoting the Local and International FemTech Ecosystem
The main goal of the collaboration between Femtech Israel and Tech It Forward is to strengthen, export and support the Israeli Femtech ecosystem into international industries. Promoting services, products, and innovations tailored to the unique needs of women and raising gender awareness throughout all stages of product development. After years of being overlooked, women’s related agenda is brought to the forefront, being discussed, creating new opportunities and a great innovation potential. Women are an immense market segment and with the rise of data, knowledge and awareness, the demand for better options is accelerating.
If you are a company, a university, or a government curious about:
Technology scouting of Israeli femtech startups in order to create impact and facilitate collaboration.
Femtech roadshows to Israel, to come to Israel and meet with the best Femtech Startups on the ground
FemTech IL Ecosystem courses and webinars to companies and universities, to understand more about today’s faster growing market
Chat with us! contact@techitforward.com, info@femtechisrael.com
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