Welcome to the third edition of FemTech Forward – a monthly resource for some of the latest news in FemTech, expert interviews and advancements in the market.
As someone who works daily with founders and operators across FemTech and Women’s+ Health, I get a front-row seat to the ideas, talent, and leadership driving change in this space – and I’m excited to share that perspective with you.
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Judith Nowlin, CEO of Nest Collaborative, a company at the forefront of virtual lactation care. We dig into Nest’s growth journey, how they’re transforming postpartum care, and what’s next for the company.
Spotlight on Nest Collaborative
Nest Collaborative is changing the game in maternal health with its payer-reimbursed telehealth platform, designed to improve breastfeeding outcomes and support families during one of the most critical, and often overlooked, times in parenthood.
What is Nest Collaborative?
Nest is the first and largest virtual lactation care provider in the US, giving families 24/7 access to board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) every day of the year.
Their mission? To support breastfeeding success through personalized, expert-led care.
What sets them apart is their proactive model – support starts before birth. Families are guided through tailored lactation plans that align with their medical history and infant feeding goals. As Judith says, “No two babies are the same, and every birth is different.” Nest meets parents with empathy and expertise in the crucial postpartum weeks when many are left without follow-up care.
The Problem They’re Solving
Nest addresses a major gap in maternal health: the lack of accessible care after childbirth. In the US, more than half of maternal deaths happen postpartum – many within the first six weeks. This is a time when new parents are often on their own, left to navigate recovery, feeding challenges, and mental health concerns without enough support. Nest steps in to provide a safety net, offering clinical guidance and emotional reassurance during this high-risk period.
Why Judith Joined
Before stepping into the CEO role, Judith spent years as a birth and postpartum doula. She saw firsthand the stark contrast between birth preparation and the void that follows. That experience shaped her mission. “The biggest work we have to do in the U.S. is in the postpartum period—it’s where the gap is greatest.” Joining Nest, first as COO and then as CEO, allowed her to bring her background in maternal health, innovation, and systems design to scale meaningful change.
Business Model & Growth Strategy
Nest is more than a telehealth app – it’s a care delivery system built for impact. Their B2B2C model works in partnership with OB/GYNs, pediatricians, health systems, and payers, ensuring families are supported across the care continuum.
They’re already in-network with over 300 insurance plans, including Medicaid in eight states – and that number is growing. Unlike traditional direct-to-consumer health apps, Nest provides deep, hands-on clinical support.
Their Series A raise took two years to close, a reflection of Judith’s focus on finding investors aligned with the mission and nuances of maternal healthcare. Now, they’re investing in team growth, infrastructure, operational efficiency, and expanded access.
Impact by the Numbers
• 80,000+ telehealth lactation visits completed
• 300 insurance plans across the nation
• Medicaid in 8 states and growing
• Breastfeeding rates at 2x the national average at 12 months
• Patient satisfaction NP score always above 90 (industry average is 30)
These results are no accident. Nest’s culture is built on their values – Nurture, Exceptional results through Service innovation, and Team collaboration. From consultants to back-office teams, every touchpoint is grounded in purpose.
The Systemic Challenge
The biggest challenge in maternal health is reimbursement. Despite the innovation in women’s health, sustainable funding models are still lacking, especially for preventive care. That’s why so many FemTech startups struggle to scale.
Nest is tackling this head-on by working with both payers and patients. It’s B2B2C through and through. You can’t just do one or the other.
What’s Next for Nest?
In 2025, Nest is focused on:
• Expanding Medicaid coverage to more states
• Strengthening partnerships with OB practices and health systems
• Growing employer programs and awareness
• Continuing their push toward profitability ahead of Series B
International growth is also on the radar – but the focus for now, is to tackle the US market head-on.
Nest Collaborative is quietly revolutionizing the way postpartum care is delivered in the U.S. By meeting families where they are – virtually, compassionately, and clinically – they’re helping close a dangerous care gap and improving health outcomes for parents and babies alike.
- Wellcome Leap has pledged $50 million to drive innovation and solutions in menstrual health.
- Charlie Health has introduced a new virtual program specifically designed to support individuals with primary substance use disorders (SUD).
- After public outcry and scientific pushback, HHS has reversed its controversial $25M budget cut to the Women’s Health Initiative, one of the most significant long-term studies focused on women’s health.
- 49Care has launched SELF Menopause, the first at-home menopause test kit to receive approval from Health Canada.
- A groundbreaking moment in fertility: the first baby has been born via an AI-assisted IVF procedure.
- Vital Start Health has teamed up with Philips Pregnancy+ to offer its virtual reality-based mental health clinic to U.S. parents, with insurance coverage.
- Women’s health funding continues to surge, reaching $2.6 billion in 2024, according to a new report from Silicon Valley Bank.
- THENA Capital has closed a new VC fund focused on digital health, medtech, and women’s health innovation.
- Rhea Fertility has acquired Tilly, a mental health platform for fertility care, strengthening its emotional support offerings for patients.
- In a major femtech acquisition, Willow has acquired Elvie, signaling consolidation in the design-led wearable health tech space.
- The Vitala Global Foundation has launched the newest version of Aya Contigo, its digital support tool for reproductive health access.
- Caldera Medical has expanded its global footprint with the acquisition of Ethicon Inc.’s GYNECARE TVT product line, reinforcing its role in pelvic health innovation.
- Ema – The AI for Women has partnered with MyUTI to co-develop AI-driven tools for diagnosing and managing urinary tract infections.
- Ark Surgical has received FDA clearance for its innovative Dual-Wall System, designed to enhance safety and efficacy in gynecologic surgery.
- Women’s health supplement brand Moom Health has raised S$3.5 million (approximately US$2.6 million) in a Pre-Series A round to expand its product line and market reach.
- Cacto Health has secured €400,000 in funding to advance early detection tools for lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.
- Granite Bio has emerged from stealth with a $100 million raise to develop new treatments targeting autoimmune diseases.
- Pro Parents, a Dutch workplace benefits startup focused on supporting working parents, has raised €1 million to grow its platform.
- Coologics has raised $3 million to bring its drug-free device for treating vaginal infections to market, following an oversubscribed seed round.
- Infant nutrition company ByHeart has announced a $72 million raise to scale its baby formula business.
- Future Family secured a $400 million financing facility aimed at making fertility treatment more affordable and accessible.
- Pro Parents’ total funding has now reached €3.3 million, following its latest €1 million round for workplace wellbeing initiatives.
- illumicell AI raised $2 million to launch a portable, real-time male fertility diagnostics platform powered by artificial intelligence.
- Overture Life has raised $20.6 million to accelerate development of its fertility technology platform.
- Femtech startup Trellis Health has exited stealth with $1.8 million in pre-seed funding to develop an AI-driven health platform focused on women.
- Amara Therapeutics has launched clinical trials for its digital therapeutic addressing overactive bladder, backed by €1.8 million in new funding.
- Uresta announced $3 million in funding to support its U.S. expansion and help women manage bladder leaks more effectively.
- Ovo Labs has secured £4 million to develop solutions aimed at improving egg quality for women over 35.
- Fizimed, a French women’s healthtech company, raised €4 million to support its international growth strategy.
- Mental health startup Meela secured €2.6 million in seed funding to further scale its therapist-matching platform for women.
- Diagnoly raised €5.5 million in seed funding to enhance fetal ultrasound diagnostics using AI.
- A new device designed to prevent miscarriage has received £1 million in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to begin clinical trials.
- Egg freezing and donation platform Cofertility has raised $7.25 million in Series A funding to broaden access and scale its services.
- Swizzle Ventures has launched a $6.6 million fund focused on investing in startups at the intersection of women’s health and financial wellbeing.
- Fizimed’s €4 million raise will also support product development and distribution across new international markets.
- Danish company Magcath, which develops devices for managing incontinence, has raised €535,000 to support its European market launch.
- Sexual wellness company Dame has acquired Crystal Intimacy Brand Chakrubs, expanding its portfolio of design-led intimacy products.
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.
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