May 2024 - Sustainable Femtech Network Newsletter
Recyclable Pregnancy Tests | $306M Fund for People and Planet Health
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Image - OVUM
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News
👩🔬 Ovum launches the UK’s first fully recyclable midstream pregnancy test, available across 345 Sainsbury’s stores.
💰 SOSV closed its new $306M fund, focussed on investing in early-stage companies across a broad range of sectors that are working towards human and planetary health.
📦 HANX partner with ethical and sustainable marketplace for EU-wide distribution
🩸 Saalt, the US based menstrual care start up launches new initiative to incentivise resusable period products on college campus’, addressing period poverty and environmental sustainability.
🇱🇰 femography by MAS distributes over 10k reusable period products to communities in Sri Lanka.
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Future Focus
🛍️ Tech brands are ramping up efforts to improve their sustainable credentials. A recent report from Streetbees highlights how important sustainability is becoming for tech consumers. While the majority of consumers are willing to pay a premium for a tech product they consider sustainable, 42% will only do so if they’re confident that the product is actually more sustainable than other options.
'Clear credentials, proof points and campaigns dedicated to highlighting your initiatives will be key in driving the path to purchase.' Streetbees
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Events
ONLINE: The Women’s Chapter and Investec - financial panel discussion on women as a key solution to the climate crisis, the impact of female-led businesses in this space and small changes you can make for the better – Wednesday 8th May 15:00 (BST)
LONDON and ONLINE - BMJ and UK Health Alliance on Climate Change - In Conversation with Lord Stevens - Architect of the Greener NHS Plan on the challenges of health and climate change - Wednesday 8th May 16:00 (BST)
ONLINE | RCOG, Royal College of Midwives, and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare - Developing interventions to improve the social and environmental sustainablity of Maternity Care - Wednesday 8th May 2024 19:00 (BST)
ONLINE | Barclay's Eagle Labs - Introduction to Net-Zero - breaking down the complexities of the net zero challenge into practical, actionable steps so organisations can embrace sustainable practices - Tuesday 14th May 2024 14:00 (BST)
ONLINE: Webinar - How to tell your sustainability story - Tuesday 28th May 2024 10:00 BST
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Resources
🌍 The Sustainability in Femtech Report 2023 is here!
92.6% of respondents believe the Femtech sector has a responsibility to adopt and implement sustainable approaches
Nearly three quarters (72.2%) think improvements are needed to make the industry more sustainable
Download the full report here.
Embedding social and environmental purpose into your business can help to attract investment, talent and customers. This free tool helps you to easily embed purpose in your company Articles of Association.
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Funding
Future Leaders 2024 | £3000 stipend supporting leaders between the age of 21-30 to build a more diverse and inclusive future (focus on digital, accessibility and sustainability).
Earth Invest | up to £12.5k grant for UK businesses to spend on carbon measurement and net-zero consultancy
Innovate UK Smart Grants | between £100k-£1M for UK registered businesses creating R&D innovations
SOCAP Global | Apply ASAP to the 2024 SOCAP Fellowship for social impact entrepreneurs (May 17th Closing)
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Opportunities
Centre for Sustainable Healthcare is looking for a Trustee - could it be you?
Zinc VC Venture Builder June 2024— Zinc is on the hunt for 50 world-class founders, dedicated to improving the health of people and the planet. The next cohort starts in June, with up to £300k of capital for your business, access to expert advisors, and support with fundraising and team building.
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That’s all for this edition. See you next month!
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