femtech:brief #07: Community Support
đđ˝đđ˝ Hello and welcome to the 7th edition of femtech:brief where we discuss solutions that bring support through creating a women-focused community for women in their different life stages.
Women have different needs during their life, from kids wanting to know about menstruation to young women looking up on different birth control methods, and older women looking up menopausal symptoms online, the needs are ever-growing and becoming more and more relevant. And that is also why femtech is a growing field that has boomed even more with digitization and women reaching out to other women or google for help.
Femtech not only aims at solving womenâs health problems but also enables more women to talk about their problems in the open, helping break stigmas around them.
We have seen how startups are becoming more and more community-driven. Founders have identified that building a community not only increases the productâs reach but also enables members to contribute and help each other. The femtech world is no different and especially since women go to other women for help with their health problems, creating a safe space for women to discuss and find solutions to their problems is a game-changer. This week let us explore how the community is embedded into many femtech products and how they work.
Approximately 71% of respondents from a recent survey on what would help them with menopause, said they would benefit from a community where they could connect with others to support themselves through this important life transition.
What does a social network look like when rethought from a womenâs economic perspective? Itâs not about likes and followers. [but about] Collaboration and care. Answer your questions, contact you and cooperate. â
-Michelle Kennedy, Founder, Peanuts
Community driven femtech Startups
Expectful: Builds an âexpectfulâ community of to-be moms, serving you with meditations, events, support groups, and services catered to where you are, personalized by you.
Peanuts: Another community-first app for expectant mothers to share their stories and concerns in motherhood and later expand to menopause with their Peanut Menopause Network.
ElektraHealth: Has built a supportive community to discuss menopause along with expert care through education and telemedicine visits.
Revel: Has a community built for women in their 40s and beyond. As mentioned on their website, âWomen gather on the Revel platform to have important conversations: everything from politics and feminism to our favorite authors, relationship crises, health challenges, empty nesting, fitness and travel; the highs and the lows, theyâre all here.â How cool is that!
Flo: is an AI-powered womenâs health platform that encompasses accurate cycle predictions, personalized daily health insights, and a closed secure community of experts and peers. Has a secret chats feature where women can discuss intimate topics with like-minded women anonymously.
đĄ Did you know?
Most new mothers do not plan for their mental health after the birth of their baby. Behold mom teams!
Check on Mom provides information and resources to help women prepare for and get the support they may need during the fourth trimester, including a tool to help create a maternal mental wellness plan that captures each mom's needs and postpartum priorities; an opportunity to designate a group of trusted friends and family (a mom team) to help her through the postpartum period and who can receive a bracelet as a wearable reminder to keep checking in during the fourth trimester and beyond; and access to ongoing inspirational content, helpful information, and tips.
đď¸ Bonus read
When Community Becomes Your Competitive Advantage
Human beings are fundamentally social animals. Behavioral economics and psychological research have taught us that we fundamentally crave a sense of connectedness, belonging, mission, and meaning, particularly when performing our work.
Thatâs all for this week :)