October 18, 2024 12:16 pm EDT

• The Demo Day, held in collaboration with Flat6Labs, marked the closing of the second edition of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program
• Eight start-ups from the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Poland presented their women’s health solutions to a panel of industry experts

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 15 October 2024: Eight pioneering start-ups who participated in the second edition of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program, attended Organon’s Demo Day during the ‘Expand North Star’ event at Dubai Harbor, hosted by GITEX Global. This initiative, a collaboration between Organon, a leading global healthcare company dedicated to improving women’s health, and Flat6Labs, MENA’s premier seed and early-stage venture capital firm, aims to address unmet women’s healthcare needs across the region. This year’s edition was launched on March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The Demo Day saw shortlisted startups from the UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, Poland and Tunisia pitch solutions that exemplify the remarkable innovation and potential impact on women’s health that the accelerator program aims to foster. Over the course of the program, these start-ups have benefitted from an array of resources provided by the program, including strategic mentorship, entrepreneurship-focused business training, subject matter one-to-one sessions, and a multitude of services from partners.

In the session, the shortlisted start-ups pitched their innovations to an esteemed judging panel comprising Dina El Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs; Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of META at Organon; Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; and Lyndal Cordaro, Head of Nursing at King’s College Hospital London – UAE.

iYoni, an innovative mobile app offering precise AI-based fertility predictions, automated lab test assessments, and advice from fertility experts, took first-place and received a prize of 15,000 USD. In her pitch, Katarzyna Goch, CEO of iYoni, outlined her ambitious plans to expand to the UAE market.

Taking the second-place prize of 10,000 USD was Noor Jaber, CEO of Nawat from Lebanon, a digital platform offering holistic reproductive health education and breaking the taboo around women’s health issues in the region. In third place and receiving a 5,000 USD prize was Banet from Tunisia, an app that empowers women with reliable health information and provides women with direct access to healthcare professionals for their health and wellness needs.

Among the other innovative projects presented at the event was Yotto from the UAE, a platform optimizing female athletes’ performance through hormonal monitoring, addressing a significant gap in sports science. Another UAE-based startup, Mamahood, introduced a comprehensive support system for women during fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood, offering a 24/7 live chat with doctors and a supportive community. Me-Now, also from the UAE, aims to guide women through perimenopause and menopause, ensuring they receive the necessary support and understanding during these transitions.

In addition, several other startups showcased their groundbreaking solutions, addressing critical subjects in women’s health in the region. InBalance, an initiative from Lebanon, outlined their app that offers personalized AI-powered treatments for PCOS patients, aiming to naturally improve health outcomes. The Aziza App from Egypt, tailored specifically for Egyptian women, was also presented, providing meaningful menstrual health tracking and management.

Speaking at the opening session of the Demo Day, Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of META at Organon, said, “The Women’s Health Accelerator Program has been a remarkable journey of innovation and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of the startups that participated and the groundbreaking solutions they have developed. Inspired by the success of this program, we were thrilled to launch the second edition, aiming to enhance our support by empowering women economically and fostering new ideas that enhance women’s health. At Organon, we believe that addressing women’s health needs is essential for building resilient and thriving communities. This program is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation that directly impacts women’s lives.”

Dina El Shenoufy, Chief Investment Officer at Flat6Labs, said, “Supporting founders in the Femtech industry is critical to advancing -not only women’s healthcare- but also driving broader economic growth. Through programs like Women’s Health Accelerator, we ensure that female founders receive the tools and resources they need to succeed and make a meaningful impact on women’s lives. We are proud of all the startups who participated in this program; they showed us how the next generation of female leaders are focused on addressing the unmet needs in women’s health.”

Katarzyna Goch, CEO of the winning start-up iYoni, commented, “Participating in the women’s health accelerator program was an outstanding experience. From the very beginning, we connected with experts who provided invaluable advice that I can implement both now and in the future.” The accelerator program, initiated shortly after Organon’s expansion into the region, represents a pioneering ESG initiative that underscores Organon’s dedication to addressing women’s health needs. This program, aligned with Organon’s mission to enhance the lives of women and girls through improved health outcomes, was meticulously crafted to bolster female entrepreneurship and support digital health startups.