Femtech At Work
Femtech At Work

Femtech At Work

Maaike Steinebach

Overview
Episodes

Details

Femtech At Work is a new podcast that showcases inspiring femtech founders, corporate champions of women’s health in the workplace, and ecosystem innovators.

Starting off in Hong Kong we will travel across Asia and Oceania and the rest of the world to explore the most innovative new women’s health solutions around reproductive health and diseases that disproportionately affect women, talk about the challenges and opportunities of starting a women’s health company and the role of the workplace for impact and change.

Recent Episodes

Wearable of Relief: How EloCare Cools Hot Flashes and Collects Life‑Saving Data
NOV 27, 2025
Wearable of Relief: How EloCare Cools Hot Flashes and Collects Life‑Saving Data
<p>Find out how a PhD biomedical engineer turned founder is building a wearable that cools hot flashes, collects real-world data and reframes menopause from “invisible problem” to solvable public-health priority.</p><p>Today, we chat with Mabel Nguyen, co‑founder of Singapore’s EloCare, to unpack the science, product strategy and personal drive behind a startup creating wearable solutions for menopause. Mabel explains why menopause has been overlooked, why hot flashes matter far beyond a few uncomfortable moments, and how a combination of cooling technology and data collection can change diagnosis, care and daily life for millions of women. She shares the technical hurdles of building a new class of wearable, the trade-offs between clinical validation and rapid consumer launch, and the funding route that kept research alive through grants and early VC support. Along the way, Mabel offers candid founder advice about taking the first step, managing mental health during the grind, and what success will look like for her and her team. Let’s dive in!</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Find out why Mabel believes menopause is a public‑health problem, not just a personal discomfort, and what costs are hidden when hot flashes go untreated</li><li>Learn how combining cooling wearables with symptom‑tracking data could change how we recognize and treat menopause</li><li>Discover the unexpected signals and noise that made lab-based hot‑flashes detection fail in real life, and how that led EloCare to reinvent its approach</li><li>Understand why launching first as a consumer wellness product can accelerate iteration, even when clinical validation is a long‑term goal</li><li>Find out how grants, university partnerships and early VC funding shaped EloCare’s R&amp;D path and why each funding type mattered</li><li>Discover the habits that helped Mabel stay resilient and what she does to preserve mental health during the inevitable ups and downs</li><li>Understand what “success” looks like for a Femtech innovator; is it scaling, clinical validation, or simply seeing your product help a woman live better</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p>Mabel Nguyen: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mabel-yen-ngoc-nguyen/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>EloCare: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/elocare/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>EloCare: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.elo.care/">https://www.elo.care/</a></p><p>Maaike Steinebach : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/maaike-steinebach-8a3a304">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Website Femtech Future <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechfuture.com">https://www.femtechfuture.com</a></p><p>Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future</p><p></p><p>Mabel’s story is more than a product roadmap, it’s a reminder that quiet, widespread problems deserve bold, science‑backed solutions. From the lab benches of NUS to prototype bracelets and grant partnerships, this conversation shows how empathy, data and iterative design can turn menopause from an invisible burden into a measurable, treatable part of life. If you’ve ever felt ignored by health systems or wondered how founders build hardware that must also be trusted by clinicians and real people, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to think differently about women’s health.</p><p>If this episode moved you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with a friend, give us a five‑star review to amplify women’s health stories, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode that champions founders making real change. Thank you, and see you on our next episode!</p>
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32 MIN
Hospital Accuracy, Home Comfort: The Story Behind Biorithm’s Wearable CTG
NOV 13, 2025
Hospital Accuracy, Home Comfort: The Story Behind Biorithm’s Wearable CTG
<p>Tired of clinic trips and waitlists? Hear how one medtech startup gives mothers real‑time reassurance and lets doctors intervene earlier when it matters most.</p><p>In this episode of FemTech at Work, we speak with Amrish Nair, co‑founder of Biorithm, about building a wearable at‑home cardiotocography solution and the broader mission to reduce preventable poor outcomes in pregnancy. Amrish shares the personal and technical origins of the company, why remote fetal monitoring matters, how Biorithm integrates maternal vitals (blood pressure, glucose) with fetal signals, and the clinical evidence from trials across Singapore, Australia, UK and the US. He also explains why Biorithm positions itself as medtech rather than FemTech, how they earned clinical trust through transparent data and key opinion leaders, and why AI must be grounded in high‑quality maternal datasets to be truly useful. </p><p>This conversation also dives into fundraising lessons, regulatory strategy, and a long‑term vision that treats pregnancy as a window into a woman’s decades‑long health trajectory.</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Find out how a hospital cardiotocogram (CTG) was redesigned into a wearable patch</li><li>Learn why combining fetal monitoring with home blood pressure and glucose data may detect pre‑eclampsia and gestational diabetes earlier, and how this might reduce stillbirth risk</li><li>Discover why Biorithm chose to pitch as medtech and how that positioning changed investor conversations, and what differences regulatory and funding strategies make</li><li>Understand how clinical trust is built and what role transparent trials and key opinion leaders play in convincing doctors to adopt remote monitoring</li><li>Find out where the industry stands on AI for maternal health and why a better, causal, outcome‑linked data must come first</li><li>Discover the founder tradeoffs behind long‑term health startups and why sacrifices and supports matter when you commit eight years to building medtech</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p>Amrish Nair: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrish-nair-a654314b/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Biorithm: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/biorithm/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Biorithm: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bio-rithm.com/">https://www.bio-rithm.com/</a></p><p>Maaike Steinebach : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/maaike-steinebach-8a3a304">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Website Femtech Future <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechfuture.com">https://www.femtechfuture.com</a></p><p>Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future</p><p></p><p>Today’s episode shows how a personal mission became medtech that brings hospital‑grade fetal and maternal monitoring into the home. BioRhythm’s approach reframes prenatal care as prevention, builds clinical trust with transparent data, and paves the way for healthier mothers and babies long after birth.</p><p>If this moved you, help turn listening into impact! Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your network. Join the movement to bring better pregnancy care home! Tune in next week for another story that matters.</p>
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32 MIN
How Surety Singapore is Redefining Midlife Support for Asian Women
NOV 6, 2025
How Surety Singapore is Redefining Midlife Support for Asian Women
<p>What happens when a young founder decides to rewrite the conversation on menopause and midlife in Singapore—starting with her own mother? </p><p>Join us for an inspiring episode of Femtec at Work featuring Valery Tan, co-founder of Surety Singapore, as she breaks taboos, builds communities, and empowers women (and men) to navigate this important life transition together.</p><p>From pivoting away from pharmaceutical sciences to becoming one of the youngest startup founders in the region, Valery’s journey is deeply personal and profoundly impactful. Discover how her mother’s experience inspired her to fill crucial gaps in menopause education and support, why cultural relevance matters in women's health, and how Surety Singapore is tackling stigma, policy gaps, and even corporate inclusivity.</p><p>Tune in, be inspired and be empowered!</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Find out why Valery started Surety Singapore and the moving story behind it</li><li>Discover how Surety Singapore is bridging cultural gaps and delivering credible, localized health content.</li><li>Learn how Surety’s Midlife Festival is creating a more inclusive dialogue for families and workplaces alike</li><li>Understand the policy and awareness gaps in Singapore and what’s being done to close them.</li><li>Find out what obstacles Valery has faced as a young founder and how she overcame skepticism and age bias.</li><li>Discover how Surety’s new Pulse Play app aims to help women track symptoms and access support</li><li>Find out how Valery’s bond with her mother continues to shape Surety’s mission and what it means for those going through midlife transitions.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p>Valery Tan: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanvalery/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Surety: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/suretysg/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Surety: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.suretysg.com/">https://www.suretysg.com/</a></p><p>Maaike Steinebach : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/maaike-steinebach-8a3a304">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Website Femtech Future <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechfuture.com">https://www.femtechfuture.com</a></p><p>Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future</p><p></p><p>This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a call to action to challenge the stigma, embrace new perspectives, and support loved ones through every phase of life. Valery’s journey is living proof that transformative change can begin at home, with one honest conversation. By shining light on menopause and midlife transitions, Surety Singapore is sparking vital discussions, building bridges across generations and genders, and showing us all what empowered care truly looks like.</p><p>Don’t let these important stories stay in the shadows. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you think differently, share it with your friends, family, and colleagues. Hit like, leave us a review, and help amplify the voices that are changing the future of women’s health in Asia and beyond. </p>
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25 MIN
From Taboo to Tech: Pistil’s Mission to Empower Women in Malaysia and Beyond
OCT 30, 2025
From Taboo to Tech: Pistil’s Mission to Empower Women in Malaysia and Beyond
<p>What if changing the conversation around women’s health could save lives, ignite confidence, and break taboos across an entire country? Dive into the world of FemTech in Malaysia, where one founder’s deep personal journey sparked a revolution for women’s access, dignity, and empowerment!</p><p>In today’s episode of FemTech at Work, meet Rina Ho, CEO of Pistil—the pioneering Malaysian FemTech platform dedicated to transforming women’s healthcare. Discover how Rina’s personal story, after losing her mother to breast cancer, fueled her mission to challenge cultural stigma, expand access to reproductive care, and empower women to take charge of their health.</p><p>Whether you’re curious about the realities of women's health in Asia, passionate about female empowerment, or eager to learn how digital health is rewriting the story, this episode will spark your mind and your heart. Don’t miss the inspiring insights, personal stories, and strategies for breaking silences and building breakthroughs!</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>How does cultural stigma around menstruation and reproductive health still impact Malaysian women today</li><li>What innovative features does Pistol offer to empower women with confidential, comprehensive healthcare no matter their background?</li><li>Why is sex education so limited in Malaysian schools, and what are the consequences for young women and families</li><li>How is Pistol leveraging technology, AI, and local cultural understanding to build trust and accessibility</li><li>What unique barriers like digital censorship and healthcare regulations do FemTech founders face in Malaysia, and how are they overcoming them</li><li>How is Pistol reframing women’s health conversations to be positive and empowering</li><li>How can more prominent voices across Asia help break the silence on topics like endometriosis, fertility, and menopause</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p>Rina Ho : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rina-ho-/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Pistil: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pistil-io/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Pistil: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.pistil.io/">https://www.pistil.io/</a></p><p>Maaike Steinebach : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/maaike-steinebach-8a3a304">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Website Femtech Future <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechfuture.com">https://www.femtechfuture.com</a></p><p>Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future</p><p></p><p>Listen now to discover the answers, learn from real-world journeys, and understand how FemTech is transforming not just healthcare, but the narrative around women's bodies, choices, and futures across Asia and beyond! Whether you’re passionate about breaking taboos, supporting FemTech founders, or simply believe every woman deserves access to safe, stigma-free healthcare, your actions matter. </p><p>Share this episode with friends, family, and colleagues because your reach can open doors for someone who needs it most. Like, follow, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support gives visibility to inspiring founders like Rina Ho and helps us amplify stories that matter! Thank you, and see you on our next episode!</p>
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35 MIN
Empowering Women’s Health Innovation in Asia: The FemTech Association’s Mission Revealed
OCT 23, 2025
Empowering Women’s Health Innovation in Asia: The FemTech Association’s Mission Revealed
<p>Are you ready to uncover the real story behind the explosive growth of women’s health innovation in Asia, and meet the change-makers leading this new revolution? In this must-listen episode of FemTech at Work, we sit down with Lindsey Davis, ecosystem innovator and founder of the FemTech Association Asia, for an unfiltered look at the challenges, breakthroughs, and future visions driving the FemTech industry.</p><p>In this episode of FemTech at Work, we welcome my friend and industry powerhouse Lindsey Davis, the founder of the FemTech Association Asia and advisor to OV Health. Together, we explore Lindsey’s global journey from London to Singapore, the birth and rapid expansion of the FemTech Association, and the critical work being done to unite startups, corporates, investors, and government partners across Asia.</p><p>Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply FemTech-curious, this episode is packed with actionable insights, honest reflections, and a contagious passion for changing the future of women’s health in Asia and beyond.</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Find out what inspired Lindsey to start the FemTech Association Asia, and how her own international journey shaped her vision for women’s health innovation</li><li>Learn how the FemTech landscape in Asia has evolved in just a few years and where are the hottest opportunities for startups and investors</li><li>Discover why community-building and collaboration are the secret “glue” for success in the regional FemTech ecosystem</li><li>What the biggest challenges that FemTech founders in Asia are facing, and how do they overcome issues like underfunding, lack of research, and industry isolation</li><li>Find out what strategies are helping to engage healthcare providers and policymakers, breaking through traditional silos in the health industry</li><li>Learn which new technologies is a mix of digital health, wearables, and biotech capturing attention and investment, and why is Asia poised to lead global innovation</li><li>Understand what role patience, education, and shifting mindsets play in redefining women’s health from a charitable cause to a high-growth commercial opportunity</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Resources:</strong></p><p>Lindsey Davis:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaydavis99/"> LinkedIn</a></p><p>FemTech Association Asia : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/femtechasia/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>FemTech Association Asia :<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechassociation.com/"> https://www.femtechassociation.com/</a></p><p>Maaike Steinebach : <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/maaike-steinebach-8a3a304">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Website Femtech Future <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.femtechfuture.com">https://www.femtechfuture.com</a></p><p>Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future</p><p></p><p>This episode pulls back the curtain on the passion, perseverance, and partnership driving the FemTech movement forward. This reminds us that true change is never the work of just one, but of a growing, diverse community—one that breaks barriers, crushes taboos, supports one another, and dares to dream big for the next generation.</p><p>Are you ready to join this wave of innovation and support a future where women’s health is prioritized, in every corner of Asia and around the world? Now is your moment! Like, share, and review this episode to help amplify the voices shaping the future of women’s health! Together, let’s build a world where women’s health innovation thrives. See you next week for another episode filled with passion, progress, and powerful new voices!</p>
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35 MIN