Empowering Women’s Health: Key Leaders Gather at the Femtech Canada Forum in Montreal

On November 27, 2024, the Femtech Canada Forum took place in Montréal, Québec, gathering key opinion leaders, industry experts, and advocates to highlight Canada’s emerging role in the global women’s health sector. The event was themed ‘Canada’s Path to Global Femtech Leadership’ and focused on the opportunities presented by the $4.8 trillion global femtech market, showcasing Canada's potential to drive innovation and strategic influence in this space.

The Forum, hosted by Femtech Canada with Sun Life as the title sponsor, explored various aspects of the women's health technology sector, emphasizing progressive economic opportunities and healthcare innovation. Key discussions centered around the necessity of creating a conducive environment for femtech start-ups in Canada, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration between government and industry. Investors and business leaders underscored the demand for inclusive healthcare solutions that simultaneously tackle challenges related to funding femtech innovations and enhance health outcomes for underserved populations.

Featured keynote speaker McKinsey & Company provided valuable insights on industry trends and growth avenues, while prominent femtech founders from companies like My Normative, Revol Cares, and Sprout Family offered accounts of their innovative journeys. Corporate representatives from organizations like Sun Life, Johnson & Johnson Medtech, and Organon discussed their commitments to advancing women's health and fostering new technologies in the sector. Investment firms such as Audaxa Ventures and The 51 acknowledged the significant growth trajectory of femtech, emphasizing its economic potential and its importance in fostering healthier communities and equitable healthcare systems.

Karen Linseman, VP of Operations at Innovation Factory, which operates Femtech Canada, noted that femtech is not merely an emerging sector but a critical driver of economic growth and a transformative element in healthcare. Linseman expressed optimism about the sector receiving the attention and support it requires to create an inclusive and effective healthcare landscape.

Alison Chick, Senior Vice-President at Sun Life, mirrored this sentiment by acknowledging the complex and often overlooked health needs of Canadians, particularly women. She emphasized the importance of technology companies in reshaping healthcare across the country. Sun Life's support for the forum reflects a partnership aimed at developing a comprehensive healthcare system tailored to women's diverse health journeys.

With backing from sponsors like Sun Life and BDC, the Femtech Canada Forum marked a significant milestone in positioning Canada as a leader in women’s health innovation. The event reinforced Canada's potential for collaboration, investment, and technological advancements in femtech.

Femtech Canada officially launched in January 2024 as the first national organization dedicated to advancing women’s health technology. In a strategic move to elevate Canada’s role in this critical sector, Femtech Canada is advocating for necessary government investments in research, innovation, and funding through a petition focused on the 2025 Federal Budget. By signing, Canadians can support initiatives that lead to healthier communities, stronger families, and a more inclusive economy.

Femtech Canada aims to connect femtech companies with essential resources while fostering intersectional and inclusive growth in a historically under-served sector. Meanwhile, Innovation Factory continues to catalyze technology innovation in Ontario by supporting entrepreneurs with business services, mentorship, and critical connections. Together, these organizations aspire to close long-standing gaps in women's health.