April 2024 - Sustainable Femtech Network Newsletter
Seaweed based alternatives to MedTech plastics, funding for Flex Co, plant based lube
📥 HEADLINES
Welcome to the Sustainable Femtech Network Newsletter, April 2024 edition!
Click the link to go straight to the section.
In this edition we have news, future focus, a special snapshot on the climate crisis and women's health, events PLUS plenty of funding and collaboration opportunities.
Do you have a story or opportunity to share?
We would love to hear from you!
Email hello@sustainablefemtech.net and say hello!
PS: Our Sustainability in FemTech Survey Report 2023 will be dropping on the 25th of April, keep an eye on your inbox!
Image - Getty
🗞️
News
👩🔬Oshun Labs launches Innovate Uk iX Net Zero challenge to find solutions for recycling silicone from HealthTech and medical devices.
🔜 Pharmista Technologies join The BioInnovation Institute accelerator programme, to support development of their reusable pregnancy test.
💰 Impact focused investors Ada Ventures closes latest, oversubscribed at £63m. They have a history of investing in sustainable FemTech, including Planera, the creators of the world's first flushable pad.
🔴 The government in Catalonia, Spain are providing free, reusable menstrual products to women, non binary and transgender people who menstruate.
“The regional government cited statistics that said 23% of women polled by Catalonia’s public opinion office said they had reused hygiene products designed for a single use for economic reasons.”
🛒 Sustainable menstrual health brands hit the mainstream with brands including Flo available in Tesco, Mooncup in Asda and Yoni and DAME in Sainsbury's.
💸 Speaking of, Flex Co. sustainable tampon brand receives multimillion dollar investment.
♻️ Dow and Proctor & Gamble join forces to develop new recycling solution for hard-to-recycle plastic waste.
🔮
Future Focus
🌊 SymbioTex developing seaweed based plastics replacement for MedTech.
💦 Sexual wellness brands adapt their lubes to be plant-based.
🧪 Coinciding with recent findings on the negative health impacts of microplastics, California-based company Algenesis announced it has developed a fully biodegradeable TPU material. As medical-grade TPU is commonly used in healthtech and medical devices, could this lead to a future biodegradable solution for medical devices?
🌏 How sustainable innovation can lead to sustainable economic growth.
🎟️
Events
ONLINE: Women's Health Sustainability Network Event. Tuesday April 24th 7pm - 8pm.
MUNICH: EcoCompute – the first computer engineering conference (for both hardware and software) on sustainability. 25th – 26th April.
ONLINE: Climate Change Effects on Adult Reproductive and Occupational Health. Wednesday 29th May 12pm PST (8pm BST).
ONLINE: SHARE – Fast-tracking resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems. Tuesday 25th June.
📸
Snapshot
Climate Change and Women's Health
A snapshot of research and media coverage of the impacts of climate change on women’s health:
Research
Exposure to extreme temperatures driven by climate change will increase risk of preterm birth by 60 per cent, causing several lifelong complications for millions of children around the world, a new research has found.
News
Financial toll of climate crisis hitting women harder.
Extreme Weather affects children in utero, having impacts after they are born.
Opinion
Investing in women’s health is essential in the era of polycrises.
📖
Resources
📕British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (BJOG)
Themed Issue: Women's and Reproductive Health and the Environment
Includes research, reviews and perspectives on:
chemicals in menstrual products
the impacts of exposure to microplastics
patient attitudes towards reusable speculum.
💸
Funding
Earth Invest | up to £12.5k for businesses with "the planet as a stakeholder".
Daring Capital | impact driven angel investment for underrepresented founders.
Ventures Lab | loans of up to £100,000 & business support for purpose driven entrepreneurs in Scotland.
🙋♀️
Collaboration Opportunities
Are you a menstrual health brand looking for a research collab?
A PhD Researcher at Hokkaiddo University, Japan is currently working on a Menstrual Health Management (MHM) research project based in Bangladesh and working closely with local health education institutions.
They are interested in collaborating with sustainable menstrual health brands – email hello@sustainablefemtech.net for further information and an introduction.
Business matchmaking to drive circular economy
Organised by Enterprise Europe Network, this event provides an exciting opportunity for businesses seeking new collaborations that can accelerate the circular economy and fuel business growth or research.
👋
That’s all for this edition. See you next month!
PS: If you enjoyed this newsletter, forward to a friend!