Women freezing their eggs as an insurance policy; inequalities in tech / VC during a crisis; how to pitch virtually; clothing of the future + more
Your go-to place for latest news and updates from the world of emerging technologies and diversity in tech.
Happy Monday everyone!
What’s become evidently clear over the last few weeks is that the COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating already existing social inequalities across the board. Sadly, we are already seeing the acute impact of this in hospitals: 35% of COVID-19 patients are BAME people despite this group making up just 14% of the UK population (there’s lots of reasons for this but socioeconomic status plays a major role too.)
‘Meanwhile, the tech VC industry’s inequalities (around 1% or less of venture funding goes to black founders or all-female founding teams) will not be immune from worsening in the current climate. And though health is clearly the most important thing we need to think about in this crisis, we also have to consider structural inequalities that could widen when deploying relief packages in general.’, says Michael Tefula, Principal at Downing Ventures.
You can read more about this topic in his article ‘Inequalities in Tech/VC During a Crisis (& The UK Startup Relief Fund)’ on Medium.
Thank you for tuning in this Monday, happy reading! :)
Big Thank you! goes to all 94 participants who joined us last Thursday for our ‘What’s Next For HealthTech’ webinar. We had a great discussion about latest trends in the world of healthcare and women’s health, and our panelists shared some inspirational and deeply personal stories about building a startup in a highly regulated market, how they fight biases around sexual wellness and wellbeing. We also touched upon the role of social media in educating women about their health and why investors still don’t quite understand why investing in women’s health startups is not niche!
Upcoming WoW virtual events
WoW members monthly gathering (+ brain power workshop with Daria Tsvenger to reduce anxiety and increase focus) - FREE for members and non-members, 6 May / 6pm BST / 1pm ET / 10am PT
WEBINAR - From Investor’s Perspective: fireside chat with Juliana Garaizar, VC and angel investor, Portfolia lead investor, Kauffman Fellow; 13 May 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
WEBINAR - How to get a grant for your business, 20 May 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
WEBINAR - Technology and climate change action, WoW Sydney chapter, May 19 9am BST
WEBINAR - Investing in Sustainability & CleanTech, 27 May 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT
WoW membership
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WoW community events, news and updates
FemBeat: YC-Backed Lilia Raises A $1.4 Million Seed Round To Help Women Navigate And Celebrate Egg Freezing / by Bérénice Magistretti, Forbes
How We Did It - UK Global Talent Tech Visa / webinar by Michelle Hua, 30 April
A deep dive into the UK Government support package for startups & scaleups / webinar by Barclays Eagle Lab, April 30
Startups Magazine Webinar: Money, Money, Money / April 30
Techstars London has entered the last month of their applications for the upcoming Accelerator in September. To learn more about the Accelerator and find out how to submit a great application join them for a webinar on Wednesday, April 29th at 4pm (BST).
Building a kind business with DAME / podcast by Anna Codrea-Rado and Tiffany Philippou
Industry events, news and updates
Sell Your Science: Developing a Non-Confidential Pitch for in Person and Virtual Presentations / webinar by JLABS, May 5
IFundWomen free workshops for women in tech and business / multiple dates
Everyone wins if we empower Ob-Gyns with technology / by David Fairbrothers, MedCity News
Maternity management company Dorsata scores $5.2M in Series A funding / by Laura Lovett, MobiTech News
RDMD raises $14M for rare disease real-world evidence generation / by Alaric Derment, MedCity News
COVID-19 Could Alter and Even Accelerate Health-Tech Investment Strategies / by Peter Micca, HLTH
COVID-19 is normalizing telehealth, and that’s a good thing / by Bob Kocher, Fast Company
Chafing Against Regulation, Silicon Valley Pivots to Pandemic / by Andrew Leonard, Wired
UK vs. US: How Consumers are Responding to COVID-19 / by Taylor Revert, Attest
COVID-19: Implications for business / report by McKinsey & Company
French fashion tech company Vestiaire Collective raises €59 million for secondhand luxury / by Annie Musgrove, techEU
London Fashion Week Is Going Gender-Neutral and Virtual / by Wren Sanders, them
The Indigenous Fashion Designer Using Face Masks To Fight Injustice / by Rose Minutaglio, Elle
Who Are The Women Leading Fashion’s Sustainable Revolution? / by Emily Chan, Vogue UK
New flexible solar cell may help power the wearables of tomorrow / by Mariyan Slavov, phoneArena
MIT develops wearable sensors that monitor vital health signs / via Apparel Resources
Clothing of the Future: How Smart Textiles Shake up the Sports Market / by Lars Becker, ISPO
Leveraging AI to Battle This Pandemic — And The Next One / by Theos Evgeniou, David R. Hardoon and Anton Ovchinnikov, HBR
Funding and grants opportunities
While #COVID19 is expected to cause economic disruption, it still presents opportunities for new businesses and jobs, such as elderly care or frontline health workers. Apply to @SolveMIT 2020 #GoodJobs Challenge. Over $1.5M in prize funding is available: solve.mit.edu/challenges/goo…The World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, has partnered with CES to reward scalable, innovative solutions that seek to empower women through their ‘Solutions For Women’ challenge. Extended application deadline: June 1, 2020.
Innovate UK has announced a new wave of Women in Innovation Awards to find and support the UK’s most promising female innovators. Up to 10 women will secure £50,000 each as well as a bespoke programme of coaching, mentoring and innovation growth support.
Maternal Health QuickFire Challenge by J&J and JLABS invite visionaries to submit ideas aiming to improve pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for women. The innovator(s) with the best idea, potential technology, or potential solution will receive up to $200,000 in grant funding, access to the global JLABS network and mentorship from experts at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. Apply by June 19, 2020.
The HITLAB Women's Health Tech Initiative is calling on FemTech innovators to pitch their disruptive healthcare solutions and to propose novel concepts to fulfill or mitigate the unmet needs of women all over the world. Apply by May 3.
Ready to Hack Menopause? Participate in the AARP Innovation Labs Hackster Challenge for a chance to win $16,000 in cash prizes. Apply by May 12.
Retail Futures 2020: Fashion District Innovation Challenge - pitch to some of London’s largest retailers and investors and win a £15,000 cash prize, deadline for applications is July 1.
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