Empowering Female Founders in Healthcare: Bridging the Funding Gap with Over $100K in Cash Prizes
FAIRFIELD, N.J. Sept. 12, 2024 – The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) proudly announces the selection of eight companies for its inaugural Pitch Competition for Women Innovators, taking place on September 25 during the 2024 HBA Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada. This landmark event addresses the persistent funding inequities in healthcare and life sciences, where women entrepreneurs receive just 3% of venture capital funding—with even less allocated to women of color.
“We are thrilled to showcase these exceptional women-led startups during our first-ever Pitch Competition for Women Innovators,” said Mary Stutts, CEO of the HBA. “Our goal is to highlight their groundbreaking contributions, raise awareness of the funding gap, and drive transformative change in healthcare.” Stutts also expressed gratitude to the organization’s corporate partners and venture fund leaders for supporting this critical initiative.
Startups in healthcare and life sciences, with at least 51% female ownership, were invited to apply. Of over 70 applicants, the following companies were selected by a distinguished panel of healthcare industry leaders:
•Bfree Cup
•Cura Therapeutics
•EndoGene.bio
•FemTherapeutics
•HDAX Therapeutics
•ImaginAble Solutions
•Scotiaderm
•Vessl Prosthetics
“The selection process was incredibly competitive, showcasing the immense talent and innovation women are bringing to reshape healthcare,” said Jim Weiss, Founder and Chairman of Real Chemistry and leader of the selection committee. “Initiatives like this are vital to closing the funding gap and empowering the next generation of women entrepreneurs to drive meaningful impact.”
Judging Panel
A distinguished panel will evaluate the pitches and select the winners:
•William Taranto – President, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund
•William Holmes – Director, Supplier Diversity, Novartis
•Chris Haskell – Head, JLABS at Johnson & Johnson
•Shankar Narayanan – CEO, Real Chemistry
•Dr. Charlotte Owens – SVP, Global Medical Affairs, Organon
•Nola Masterson – Managing Director, Portfolia FemTech Fund
•Julie Castro Abrams – CEO, How Women Lead & How Women Invest
•Jessica Karr – Managing Director, Coyote Ventures
•Ibraheem Alinur – Vice President, 2Flo Ventures
Each company will present a seven-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A with the judges. The event, moderated by Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel and will be livestreamed on LinkedIn.
“OBIO® is thrilled to partner with HBA for this groundbreaking competition,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®. “It’s inspiring to see several Canadian companies participating, with access to capital, resources, and support that will drive their growth.”
Awards and Opportunities
The competition will award over $100K in cash prizes to 1st place, 2nd place, and Audience Choice winners. Additional in-kind prizes from sponsors and potential equity investments (subject to due diligence) will also be announced. Participants will have opportunities to network with key industry leaders, venture fund representatives, and financial advisors at HBA’s Innovation Hub.
Complementing the competition, the conference will host a session titled “From Idea to Impact: Funding Women in Health Innovation” on the morning of the event, featuring two keynote venture capital panel discussions.
This initiative represents HBA’s commitment to accelerating the success of women innovators and addressing critical funding disparities in the healthcare sector.
