Applications are now open to join the Women & Access to Health Daring Circle, a recently launched partnership led by pharma company Sanofi and insurer AXA with support from BNP Paribas and Google, to support entrepreneurs working to promote women’s access to health.
Women have long faced historical and socio-demographic barriers to receiving and accessing care, with studies showing that women are less likely to have their symptoms taken serious or be given an accurate diagnosis.
Additionally, clinical trials are largely skewed towards men leading the lack of a sufficient research base for women’s health.
The Daring Circle – part of the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society –
is hoping to support the use of technology tackle the issue of women’s access to healthcare which can be stymied by factors including limited awareness of resources, limited physical clinical resources, a lack of reliable health records and the inability to pay or take time to access care.
“Collectively, we want to support tech entrepreneurs who are improving and promoting access to health for women, thus empowering women to help their families and communities thrive,” Karen Linehan, Sanofi’s EVP of Legal Affairs and General Counsel, said in a statement.
Selected late-stage startups will receive mentorship from Daring Circle’s partners, increased visibility using the collaborative’s marketing channels, around $115,000 in funding and access to a larger network of companies and potential investors.
Applications for the program are due on Feb. 15.
Photo: asnidamarwani, Getty Images
