ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Organon, a global healthcare company dedicated to improving women's health, in partnership with Flat6Labs, MENA's leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm, has announced the launch of the second edition of the Women's Health Accelerator Programme.
The initiative aims to empower digital health startups with solutions to enhance women’s health across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region.
The launch follows thesuccess of the inaugural Accelerator Program, where three female-founded digital health start-ups were honoured in MENA as winners, including UAE founded ‘Maternally,’ a platform successfully supporting women's mental health needs, according to a release issued on Friday.
The accelerator initiative was launched to address specific health challenges faced by women in the region, aiming to find sustainable and long-term solutions.
Aligning with the UAE’s inspiring ‘National Policy for Improving Women’s Health,’ the second edition of the programme focusses on innovation across three areas including family planning, fertility and women’s wellness. The emphasis is on digital solutions that can help improve accessibility, empower individuals, and enhance overall quality of well-being, ultimately advancing women's healthcare.
Ramy Koussa – Associate Vice President for Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT) at Organon, said: “Launching the second edition of the Women's Health Accelerator Program marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing women's health in the MENAT region. Investing in improving women’s health not only improves women’s quality of life but also enables them to thrive in the workforce. Therefore, we want to support entrepreneurs to drive forward the next wave of innovations and solutions.”
He further commented: “We are excited to deepen our partnership with Flat6Labs and continue listening to the needs of women, identifying innovative solutions that foster a better and healthier every day for her.”
Yehia Houry, Chief Programs Officer at Flat6Labs, emphasised the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and advancing women’s healthcare, stating, “As we embark on the second edition of the Women's Health Accelerator Program, we are thrilled to amplify our support for entrepreneurs shaping the future of women's healthcare. This initiative is not just about innovation; it's about empowering visionary minds to create lasting impact.”
The programme will also include community events, including specialised training sessions and seminars to enhance the exchange of ideas and experiences in commercial and technical aspects, which will contribute to providing startups with the knowledge and skills necessary to expand the scope of their business.
The three core focus areas include family planning, utilising technologies to offer advice and raise awareness about various family planning methods available to women. Secondly, fertility planning, honing in on solutions for IVF Mental Health Support and Counseling. Thirdly, innovations that benefit women’s wellness, with a particular focus on self and maternal care, disease prevention and menstrual health.
The applications close on May 16, 2024.
The countries in the programme include UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.