Women Who Tech Announces Finalists of FemTech and HealthTech Challenge

Women Who Tech (WWT) is one of the largest non-profits funding and showcasing women-led ventures today. 

"There's a problem with gender equity in tech, and unless we're actively doing something about it, it won't get fixed. That’s why we need to close the funding gap for women-led startups,” said Craig Newmark, Founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, and member of Women Who Tech’s Advisory Board.

On November 16, 2021 in Washington, DC, "Innovation and Impact Grants" were awarded to recognize two startups, who have been successful in harnessing AI technology to accelerate clinical development, and making healthcare more accessible for all.

“Women Who Tech is mission-set to disrupt this culture and fund diverse innovation.” 

WWT announced these latest grants for its first global FemTech and HealthTech Grants Challenge, which has provided over $500,000 in non-dilutive funding since its inception.

“Women-led startups, who receive a paltry 2.3% of venture capital, experience persistent and significant barriers and biases raising investment from VCs, where 95% of partners are men,” said Allyson Kapin, Founder of Women Who Tech. “Women Who Tech is mission-set to disrupt this culture and fund diverse innovation.” 

One of the startups selected, Huma.AI, cofounded by Lana Feng, was awarded the Innovation Grant of $15,000 for its human centric AI platform. This technology advancement aims to bring life-saving cancer drugs to the market faster, through the automation of healthcare and decoding big data-turning domain experts into their own data scientists.

The jury who made the decision in gifting the Innovation and Impact Grants consisted of investors and global health leaders including: 

• Ida Tin, Founder and Chairwoman of Clue 

• Barbara Clarke, Founder and President of The Impact Seat

• Maria Velissaris, Founding Partner at SteelSky Ventures

The W Fund, HearstLab, Portfolia, SteelSky Ventures, and Citrine Angels will be evaluating Huma.AI for further investment, as part of a shared commitment to fund women-led innovation.