Welcome to the first edition of FemTech Forward – a new, monthly resource for some of the latest news in FemTech, expert interviews and advancements in the market.
As a FemTech and Women’s+Health recruiter, I speak daily with influential leaders to match expert talent with innovators globally.
Spotlight on ASPIVIX
In the fist edition of the FemTech Forward newsletter, we’re spotlighting ASPIVIX, a company revolutionizing gynecological instruments, and sharing insights from Ikram Guerd, their VP of Marketing.
Who are ASPIVIX?
ASPIVIX is on a mission to modernize gynecological tools, addressing a space that has seen little to no innovation in over 100 years. Their device, CareVix, replaces the traditional tenaculum – a tool dating back to the US Civil War – with a gentler, suction-based alternative. The goal? Reduced pain and bleeding during IUD placements and other gynecological procedures.
Co Founder David Finci, a gynecologist in Geneva, recognized the urgent need for better tools. He partnered with his brother Julien Finci, an engineer, to develop a solution inspired by suction-based technologies used in obstetrics. After navigating constraints and testing concepts, CareVix was born – a name that reflects their commitment to cervical care (Aspi for aspiration, Vix for cervix).
Addressing patient pain and education gaps
Globally, 120 million women undergo procedures that involve the tenaculum, experiencing pain ranging from mild discomfort to excruciating levels. Many women are not fully prepped beforehand to understand the stages to the procedure, so this pain can be unexpected, and result in distrust between patient and clinician, or fear.
After all, informed women are empowered women.
ASPIVIX is dedicated to educating both patients and healthcare providers on the pain women can experience through campaign awareness and female empowerment. The company believes that transparency and education are key – women should understand their bodies, procedures, and options to make informed decisions.
Clinical Evidence
ASPIVIX doesn’t just talk about change – they prove it. With their commitment to data-driven validating, a 2023 study in the International Journal of Contraception showed significant reductions in pain and bleeding with CareVix versus the tenaculum. Ongoing clinical studies in the US and Brazil continues to validate its effectiveness.
Beyond research, real-world data speaks volumes. Over 1,300 women across private offices, clinics, and hospitals have benefitted from CareVix, with an impressive 92% patient satisfaction rate.
Fundraising and Commercialization
Fundraising in women’s health remains a challenge. However ASPIVIX is forging ahead, currently in Series B1 funding, attracting a mix of institutional investors, women-led investments, and crowdfunding contributors.
On the commercialization front, ASPIVIX is ramping up efforts:
- A distribution agreement with Bayer in Switzerland.
- Expanding their US and European teams, aiming to double in size this year.
- Strategic partnerships with FemTech pioneers like Tia.
Ikram’s advice for aspiring FemTech innovators?
“Join us! We need more voices – both men and women. If you have a great idea, pursue it. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The more we talk about women’s health, the more we normalize these conversations and drive real change.”
Want to support Femtech innovation? Check out ASPIVIX’s crowdfunding campaign before they close mid-March here.
- Hologic acquired Gynesonics for $350m.
- FemInnovation launched a 12-week virtual incubator program in January 2025, designed to support pre-seed companies in FemTech and women’s health.
- Elvie launched a smart bouncer-bassinet.
- The UK government has initiated the Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial, a £11 million study involving nearly 700,000 women across 30 NHS sites. The trial aims to evaluate if AI can match or exceed the accuracy of human radiologists in analyzing mammograms to improve breast cancer early detection. This initiative is part of a larger £82.6 million investment in AI for cancer care and drug discovery.
- Health advocates in Africa are expressing concerns that President-elect Donald Trump may reinstate the global gag rule, which restricts US foreign aid from being used for abortion services or information.
- The Albanese Government announced a substantial investment aimed at enhancing women’s healthcare. This includes the introduction of new contraceptives to the Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme (PBS) for the first time in 30 yeas, increased bulk billing for IUDs and implants, new menopause and UTI treatments, and the establishment of additional endometriosis clinics.
- WHOOP unveiled a new digital biomarker for menstrual cycle monitoring, offering users a non-invasive method to track and understand their menstrual health.
- Teal Health secured $10M in additional seed funding to advance at-home cervical cancer screening.
- Lady Technologies, creator of the kegg fertility tracker, raised $6.5m in Series A funding.
- Allara Health landed $26m in Series B funding to expand hormone telehealth services.
- Systole Health secured $2m in pre-seed funding for its women’s heart health platform.
- Conceivable Life Sciences raised $18m in Series A funding for fertility innovation.
- Ema, an agentic AI platform secured $3m to advance AI-driven health solutions.
- Gesynta Pharma raised $29m for non-hormonal endometriosis treatment, led by Innovestor.
- Mabel, a Paris-based women’s health startup, raised €600k in pre-seed funding to launch.
- Femble secured €350k in angel funding for period health solutions.
- Egal raised $4m in Series A funding for its ‘period pads on a roll’ concept.
- PinkDx raised an additional $5m to further gynecological cancer diagnostics, bringing its total funding to $45m.
- SimpliFed, a virtual maternal healthcare provider, secured $4m in new funding to expand comprehensive maternal care at home.
- Sunfish raised $10m in Series A funding, led by Haymaker Ventures, for IVF financing and support.
- Gaia Fertility raised $14m in a round led by Valar Ventures LLC.
- Delfina secured $17m in Series A funding, led by US Venture Partners, to transform maternal health with AI-powered proactive care.
- Vitalic Health, a Boston-based mental health startup, launched with $4m in seed funding.
- Hone Health raised $33m in Series A funding to evolve into a ‘Longevity Adviser’ platform.
- Waterlily, an AI-powered long-term care platform raised $7m in seed funding.
- Little Otter, an AI-powered family mental health startup, secured $9.5m in funding.
- Comma raised $2m to launch a secure period tracking app and develop diagnostic solutions.
- OVUM secured $1.7m to launch an AI health assistant for women.
Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter, with more funding updates, Femtech spotlights, and expert insights in our next issue, as we continue pushing boundaries in women’s health!
FemTech isn’t just a trend – it’s a movement towards equitable, accessible, and personalized healthcare.
Are you hiring in this space? Thinking of making a career move into FemTech? Let’s connect! 💜