Why Attend
Building on the success of the Women’s Health Innovation Summit Europe 2022, we are returning to Switzerland to drive our mission of improving the access to and quality of healthcare for women across the globe.
Whilst the distribution of FemTech companies in Europe currently sits at 27% (in comparison to North America’s 51%), there is the potential for huge growth in the market. Our event aims to act as the catalyst for this growth in the development of solutions in this underserved area.
Our summit will offer the opportunity for connection and partnership, bringing together the leaders and innovators from Europe and Israel, from large pharmaceutical companies and biotechs to start-ups, investors, and service providers, to collectively drive forward the women’s health market.
Join us in Basel to help drive this change through sparking innovation, sharing research and forging essential partnerships.
Advisory Board
Passionate about healthcare and its role in improving society, Gila advises CEOs and top teams at the leading life sciences companies on growth strategy, sustainability, Health Equity and organizational transformation. Gila also leads McKinsey's work with Healthcare Innovators in Israel supporting VC funds and CEOs in bringing healthcare innovation to market more quickly.
Gila Tolub
Passionate about healthcare and its role in improving society, Gila advises CEOs and top teams at the leading life sciences companies on growth strategy, sustainability, Health Equity and organizational transformation. Gila also leads McKinsey's work with Healthcare Innovators in Israel supporting VC funds and CEOs in bringing healthcare innovation to market more quickly.
Jess sits in the Health team, and her focus is engaging with, investing in and supporting Europe’s most promising health tech companies.
“The gap between health and life expectancy is widening and to improve quality of life in later years we need a more decentralised, preventative and personalised approach to healthcare.”
Prior to joining Octopus Ventures in June 2021, Jess led the health tech investing team at Legal & General supporting leading health innovations. She invested balance sheet capital into early-stage health tech businesses and supported scale up via board representation in her portfolio.
Earlier in her career Jess invested into and was a banker in a range of alternative asset classes including renewable energy, real estate, and Venture Capital Funds. Jess has a passion for sustainability and delivering social impact alongside economic value.
Outside of work Jess can be found enjoying London’s restaurants, cycling, running, trying out the newest fitness class on offer, or in the park running around with / after her dog.
Jessica McCreadie
Jess sits in the Health team, and her focus is engaging with, investing in and supporting Europe’s most promising health tech companies.
“The gap between health and life expectancy is widening and to improve quality of life in later years we need a more decentralised, preventative and personalised approach to healthcare.”
Prior to joining Octopus Ventures in June 2021, Jess led the health tech investing team at Legal & General supporting leading health innovations. She invested balance sheet capital into early-stage health tech businesses and supported scale up via board representation in her portfolio.
Earlier in her career Jess invested into and was a banker in a range of alternative asset classes including renewable energy, real estate, and Venture Capital Funds. Jess has a passion for sustainability and delivering social impact alongside economic value.
Outside of work Jess can be found enjoying London’s restaurants, cycling, running, trying out the newest fitness class on offer, or in the park running around with / after her dog.
Kathrin Folkendt is the Founder & CEO at Femtech Insider, the number 1 source for all things femtech. The newsletter briefs people on deals, company and startup launches, as well as femtech and Healthtech industry insights. Alongside this, Kathrin is also the Co-Founder of PERLA Health, an evidence-based integrative approach towards changing the way that PCOS education and care are delivered.
Kathrin Folkendt
Kathrin Folkendt is the Founder & CEO at Femtech Insider, the number 1 source for all things femtech. The newsletter briefs people on deals, company and startup launches, as well as femtech and Healthtech industry insights. Alongside this, Kathrin is also the Co-Founder of PERLA Health, an evidence-based integrative approach towards changing the way that PCOS education and care are delivered.
Seasoned executive with over 20 years' experience in the medical device & pharmaceutical industries specializing in the management of innovative start-ups, strategy, commercialization, BD and financing.
Keren Leshem, MBA
Seasoned executive with over 20 years' experience in the medical device & pharmaceutical industries specializing in the management of innovative start-ups, strategy, commercialization, BD and financing.
Priya Oberoi is the Founding Partner at Goddess Gaia Ventures, which is building a £100 million pre-series A venture fund to invest in companies innovating in women’s health and wellness. She is also the Founder and Managing Partner at Oberoi Capital Partners Limited. She is an avid angel investor and has over 20 years’ experience in the legal and financial industry and has a degree from Oxford University.
Priya Oberoi
Priya Oberoi is the Founding Partner at Goddess Gaia Ventures, which is building a £100 million pre-series A venture fund to invest in companies innovating in women’s health and wellness. She is also the Founder and Managing Partner at Oberoi Capital Partners Limited. She is an avid angel investor and has over 20 years’ experience in the legal and financial industry and has a degree from Oxford University.
Chandra P. Leo is a member of the private equity team at HBM Partners, a Swiss-based healthcare investment firm with approximately $1.8 billion in assets under management. He has been responsible for investments in more than 15 private biotech, medical device and diagnostics companies in the United States and Europe, in most cases as a board member or board observer. Collectively, these companies have so far generated five NASDAQ IPOs, five M&A transactions and four FDA-approved marketed products.
In the women’s health field, Chandra has backed and worked with companies focused on e.g. cervical cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, gynecologic infections, urogynecologic conditions, infertility and preterm labor. Before becoming a venture capital investor, he served as a physician in the Dept. of OB/GYN at the University Hospital in Leipzig, Germany, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive biology at Stanford University.
Chandra holds degrees as a Doctor of Medicine from the Freie Universität Berlin (Charité), a Master in Medicines Development (MAS) from the University of Basel, and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD (France/Singapore). He lives in Zurich with his wife (a gynecologist) and their two daughters.
Chandra P. Leo
Chandra P. Leo is a member of the private equity team at HBM Partners, a Swiss-based healthcare investment firm with approximately $1.8 billion in assets under management. He has been responsible for investments in more than 15 private biotech, medical device and diagnostics companies in the United States and Europe, in most cases as a board member or board observer. Collectively, these companies have so far generated five NASDAQ IPOs, five M&A transactions and four FDA-approved marketed products.
In the women’s health field, Chandra has backed and worked with companies focused on e.g. cervical cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, gynecologic infections, urogynecologic conditions, infertility and preterm labor. Before becoming a venture capital investor, he served as a physician in the Dept. of OB/GYN at the University Hospital in Leipzig, Germany, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive biology at Stanford University.
Chandra holds degrees as a Doctor of Medicine from the Freie Universität Berlin (Charité), a Master in Medicines Development (MAS) from the University of Basel, and an MBA with distinction from INSEAD (France/Singapore). He lives in Zurich with his wife (a gynecologist) and their two daughters.
Lynae is the Chief Medical Officer at Clue, the company founded by Ida Tin who coined the term ‘femtech’. Clue’s mission is for women and people with cycles to make good choices for themselves, and live full lives not in spite of their biology, but in tune with it and was launched helloclue.com in February 2018 to help close the knowledge gap about the menstrual cycle—with information that’s accessible, serious, scientific, and empathetic.
Lynae Brayboy
Lynae is the Chief Medical Officer at Clue, the company founded by Ida Tin who coined the term ‘femtech’. Clue’s mission is for women and people with cycles to make good choices for themselves, and live full lives not in spite of their biology, but in tune with it and was launched helloclue.com in February 2018 to help close the knowledge gap about the menstrual cycle—with information that’s accessible, serious, scientific, and empathetic.
Marija Butkovic
2023 Innovation Showcase
Our Innovation Showcase at the first Women’s Health Innovation Summit Europe saw a group of start-ups from across the women’s health industry take to the stage to highlight their technology, device, service, or product that is driving the future of care.
This year, 15 start-up companies, selected by our expanded Selection Committee, will present in front of our audience of over 350 potential partners and investors for the chance to win our brand-new prize bundle, as well as gain exposure and be placed at the forefront of driving solutions in the industry.
All applications are stage agnostic and can relate to all solutions across women’s health.
Prize bundle includes:
• VIP Pass + Guest Ticket to a Future WHIS Event
• 30 Minute Online Coaching Session from FemTech France
• Coaching Session from FemTech Lab
More prizes to be announced soon.
Applications close Friday 10th March.
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
CEO & Founders Forum
Come together with like-minded leaders in women’s health to learn, network, and grow.
The CEO & Founders Forum is an application-only event and we will inform you if you are accepted to join.
CEO & FOUNDERS FORUM-ONLY APPLICATION
Start-Up Zone
Want to have a little more exposure for your start-up at the event? Introducing the Start-up Zone; our brand-new area dedicated to showcasing emerging organisations in the space. Opportunities include:
- Branded networking table in dedicated Start-up zone
- Logo postitioned across marketing materials
- Promotional signage onsite
- Personalised social media posts
- Priority acess to conference app
- Delegate passes
- Newsletter promotion.
Selection Committee
Chantal Cox
Cynthia Jurytko
Erica van Eeghen
Fiona Pathiraja
Hana is Investment Manager with Heal Capital, a European VC with a volume of EUR 100m, investing in technology-enabled healthcare champions actively driving healthcare innovation from Seed and Series A stage. At Heal, Hana is driving investments in the areas of Mental Health, FemTech, Elderly Care, and Chronic Diseases. Hana has been an active Angel Investor, invested in 30+ startups, and is an advocate of female founders in tech. Hana is a former top-tier strategy consultant with BCG and Roland Berger with > 6 years across Europe and MENA in digital transformation / open innovation and building new industries from scratch. Hana has a technical background as Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering, MSc Telecommunications.
Hana Besbes
Hana is Investment Manager with Heal Capital, a European VC with a volume of EUR 100m, investing in technology-enabled healthcare champions actively driving healthcare innovation from Seed and Series A stage. At Heal, Hana is driving investments in the areas of Mental Health, FemTech, Elderly Care, and Chronic Diseases. Hana has been an active Angel Investor, invested in 30+ startups, and is an advocate of female founders in tech. Hana is a former top-tier strategy consultant with BCG and Roland Berger with > 6 years across Europe and MENA in digital transformation / open innovation and building new industries from scratch. Hana has a technical background as Dipl.-Ing. Electrical Engineering, MSc Telecommunications.
Lucanus is one of Europe’s emerging managers: He is a founder and managing partner at Calm/Storm, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on digital-health and wellbeing. Before founding Calm/Storm in 2020, he was a startup operator, a CFO and a general partner of an early-stage fund (Speedinvest) – a combination not often found in venture capital.
Lucanus is passionate about helping others – especially founders – and will assist in every aspect of building your company. Investors and founders trust him, his hands-on approach and his knowledge around numbers. With more than 35 investments, he and the Calm/Storm team have demonstrated the ability to find and pick those rare cases where entrepreneurs are able to build both outstanding products and big businesses. Lucanus also has a real passion for digital solutions that improve our lives, and has most likely hit the limit of the number of apps "installable" on a phone.
In his free time, you’ll find him spending time with his wife and three children in the most liveable city in the world, Vienna, Austria, or sometimes racing sailing boats in his home turf, Lake Attersee in beautiful Salzkammergut – or as he calls it, “The Sound Of Music Land”.
Lucanus Polagnoli
Lucanus is one of Europe’s emerging managers: He is a founder and managing partner at Calm/Storm, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on digital-health and wellbeing. Before founding Calm/Storm in 2020, he was a startup operator, a CFO and a general partner of an early-stage fund (Speedinvest) – a combination not often found in venture capital.
Lucanus is passionate about helping others – especially founders – and will assist in every aspect of building your company. Investors and founders trust him, his hands-on approach and his knowledge around numbers. With more than 35 investments, he and the Calm/Storm team have demonstrated the ability to find and pick those rare cases where entrepreneurs are able to build both outstanding products and big businesses. Lucanus also has a real passion for digital solutions that improve our lives, and has most likely hit the limit of the number of apps "installable" on a phone.
In his free time, you’ll find him spending time with his wife and three children in the most liveable city in the world, Vienna, Austria, or sometimes racing sailing boats in his home turf, Lake Attersee in beautiful Salzkammergut – or as he calls it, “The Sound Of Music Land”.
Nathan McNally
Samira Ann Qassim
Triin Linamagi
Vijay Barathan
Wendy Anderson is a Co-founder and Investing Partner at The Case for Her, a philanthropic investment portfolio addressing the key women’s health issues of menstruation and female sexual health & pleasure. A graduate of Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, Wendy spent over a decade working in the financial industry before transitioning to impact investing at Futura Foundations, which she directs together with her husband, acting as Chair of Social Initiatives since 2009. Wendy chairs the Board at Be Girl, a mission-driven design company addressing menstruation, is on the Executive Board of Women Moving Millions and sits on the advisory boards of both Saral Designs and The Center for Intimacy Justice.
Wendy Anderson
Wendy Anderson is a Co-founder and Investing Partner at The Case for Her, a philanthropic investment portfolio addressing the key women’s health issues of menstruation and female sexual health & pleasure. A graduate of Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, Wendy spent over a decade working in the financial industry before transitioning to impact investing at Futura Foundations, which she directs together with her husband, acting as Chair of Social Initiatives since 2009. Wendy chairs the Board at Be Girl, a mission-driven design company addressing menstruation, is on the Executive Board of Women Moving Millions and sits on the advisory boards of both Saral Designs and The Center for Intimacy Justice.
Yahel joined Nina Capital, a specialized venture capital firm investing exclusively at the intersection of healthcare and deep tech, in 2020. At Nina Capital, Yahel focuses on Women's health and hospital management investments. She is also in charge of Investors Relations and D&I in the fund, promoting an active approach to increasing diversity. Prior to joining Nina Capital, Yahel gained vast knowledge on the VC industry and Startups in different development stages by investing in Alternative Assets for a large investment house based in Tel Aviv. Yahel started her career as a corporate lawyer, working for a top law firm in Israel, managing ongoing legal matters of public companies and IPOs. Yahel holds an MBA from IESE Business School, LLB and, BA in economics from the Hebrew University.
Yahel Halamish
Yahel joined Nina Capital, a specialized venture capital firm investing exclusively at the intersection of healthcare and deep tech, in 2020. At Nina Capital, Yahel focuses on Women's health and hospital management investments. She is also in charge of Investors Relations and D&I in the fund, promoting an active approach to increasing diversity. Prior to joining Nina Capital, Yahel gained vast knowledge on the VC industry and Startups in different development stages by investing in Alternative Assets for a large investment house based in Tel Aviv. Yahel started her career as a corporate lawyer, working for a top law firm in Israel, managing ongoing legal matters of public companies and IPOs. Yahel holds an MBA from IESE Business School, LLB and, BA in economics from the Hebrew University.
Chandra Leo
INVESTOR FORUM
New to WHIS EU, the Investor Forum will offer further networking and discussion for investors in the women’s health space who share the same passion for driving change and accelerating innovation.
We’re delighted to announce that Octopus Ventures will host this year’s forum, bringing their extensive expertise and knowledge.
Register your interest in the forum and a team member will be in touch with further information.
REGISTER INTEREST
Key statistics
AUDIENCE BREAKDOWN
Start Ups/ Femtech/ Entrepreneurs/ Innovation
We are committed to increasing exposure of emerging companies in women’s health, at all stages of growth and development, who are seeking partnership opportunities and are at the forefront of shaping the future of this space.
Pharma/ Medical Device & Diagnostics/Biotechs
At the forefront of innovation, big pharma, medical device, and biotech companies play a key role in shaping the investments and innovation happening in the women’s health sphere.
Investors/Funding Groups
We look to bring together leading investors with a particular focus in women’s health, ranging from seed, to angel, venture capital firms, private equity, funds, and advisors.
Non-profits/ Advocacy Groups
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups play a key part in our Summits, and in the women’s health space in general, ensuring the fight towards health equity continues and awareness of the industry is being spread.
Payors/Employers
Payers, insurance companies, and benefit providers provide an important bridge between stakeholders within the women’s health industry, and we are delighted to have more joining us at this years’ summit.
Service Providers
Industry support and service providers include advocacy groups, researchers, knowledge leaders and accelerators such as consultants, lawyers, CROs, non-profits and regulatory experts.
THIS YEAR’S ATTENDEES INCLUDE
2023 Partners
Oncology Partner
GSK
Website: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
GSK is focused on maximising patient survival through transformational medicines. Our oncology pipeline is focused on immuno-oncology, cell therapy, tumour cell targeting therapies and synthetic lethality. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable flow of new treatments based on a diversified portfolio of investigational medicines.
Gynaecologic cancers are among the most common cancers affecting women. Nearly 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal or vulvar cancer in 2020; however, awareness of these cancers and their symptoms remains low. At GSK, we are committed to supporting continued innovation in gynaecologic cancers, keeping the patient’s voice at the heart of our mission, and building a pipeline of novel programmes to meet their needs. For more information about our work in oncology, please visit: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/
Platinum Partners
MODHealth
Website: https://modhealth.com
WOMENS HEALTH WILL HEAL US ALL
WE’RE READY FOR THE WORLD TO BE BETTER. ARE YOU?
Women’s health has been overlooked and underserved for far too long. We’re here to bring those dark ages to an end. MODHealth is a female-led, female driven agency illuminating women’s health from every angle with stories that are raw, handsome and true.
The path to a better world begins with women and the journey starts now.
Myovant
Website: https://www.myovant.com/
We aspire to redefine care for women and for men through purpose-driven science, empowering medicines, and transformative advocacy.
Our purpose is resolute and fueled by the opportunity to improve the lives of millions of women and men, many impacted by diseases during their most productive years of life. Despite the significant burden of common diseases like uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and prostate cancer, many women and men do not have the options they deserve and need.
Gold Partner
Philips
Website: www.philips.com/newscenter.
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 79,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries.
Kinneir Dufort
Website: https://kinneirdufort.com/
Kinneir Dufort (KD) is a world-leading user centred Innovation, Design and Development consultancy, which focuses on designing a better world and creating value through tomorrow's products and experiences. We combine expertise in Design, Technology and User Experience to help progressive and ambitious companies deliver successful new innovations across the world. Our exec and management team is 50% female, unique in our industry at our scale. (Design Council’s Design Economy report 2018, states 95% male in UK product design).
In 2021, we launched XXEquals, as a response to the lack of female representation across our industry, our XXEquals team being over 75% women, with a deep expertise around creating products and services for women across healthcare & wellness, ensuring lived experience and empathetic approaches alongside user experience are central to the process. Our partners vary from femtech start-ups to global blue chips, all focused on delivering compelling innovations, products and services in women’s health and wellness. Find out more at www.xxequals.com / www.kinneirdufort.com
Perrigo
Website: www.perrigo.com
About Perrigo: Perrigo Company plc is a leading provider of Consumer Self-Care Products and over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness solutions that enhance individual well-being by empowering consumers to proactively prevent or treat conditions that can be self-managed. Visit Perrigo online at www.perrigo.com.
Event Partner
Care Package Partner
Daye
Website: https://yourdaye.com/
Daye is a female-founded gynae health start-up on a mission to close the gender health gap for good. We started out with the invention of the world’s first pain-relieving tampon, designed to support the 90% of women, who experience menstrual cramps.
After helping over 75,000 women & AFAB individuals kick period pain to the curb, we launched our second generation tampon to facilitate the at-home detection of vaginal infections, STIs and HPV.
Next, we want to develop solutions for under-served gynae health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and menopause. Within the next five years, we will build an ecosystem where every woman can understand, monitor, and improve her health from her smartphone.
Media Partners
Cambridge Femtech Society
Website: https://www.cambridgefemtech.com/
The Cambridge University Femtech Society aims to create a network of motivated students and alumni who want to promote knowledge-sharing and tackle challenges in femtech - the intersection of women’s health and technology. We strive to give students the opportunity to meet key opinion leaders - entrepreneurs, investors and researchers - operating in femtech. Likewise, we provide femtech companies and investors with the chance to address Cambridge students and researchers who are interested in starting a career in femtech or bringing their femtech ideas to life.
FemTech France
Website: http://femtechfrance.org/
Launched in September 2022, Femtech France aims at accelerating women's health innovation in France by fostering more collaboration within the ecosystem —founders, investors, healthcare professionals, corporates, etc.
To start Femtech France has created a bootcamp dedicated to aspiring femtech entrepreneurs who don't have a medical background. The training is divided into 3 parts: women's health, the French healthcare system, and the femtech market. Femtech France is supported by two partners for this bootcamp, Organon and Groupe VYV.
Tech4Eva - We Accelerate women's health innovation
Website: http://www.tech4eva.ch/
Tech4Eva was founded in 2021 by EPFL Innovation Park and Groupe Mutuel. It is a global FemTech community with international reach and a 9 month equity free FemTech start-up acceleration program for companies developing innovative solutions to improve technologies relating to women’s health. Solutions cover the following areas: mental health & wellbeing, period health, pregnancy & post-partum, fertility & infertility, prevention & diagnostics, menopause. We help selected start-ups companies to refine their business models and go-to-market process strategy, to meet investors and potential customers and connect them with leading FemTech hubs around the globe with the support of partners, corporate and executive mentors. To date Tech4Eva start-ups raised CHF 62+ million for women's healthcare.
Media Planet
Website: www.healthawareness.co.uk/womens-health
Mediaplanet is currently working on the Women’s Health campaign, which aims to raise awareness for key women’s health conditions including female cancers, reproductive health, and gynaecological conditions. We will highlight the importance of prevention and early diagnosis, as well as the new innovations in treatment which are helping improve patient pathways.
Ultraviolet
Website: https://www.ultraviolet.agency/
Founded by FemTech veteran Anna Butterworth and futures expert Rhiannon Jones, Ultra Violet Futures addresses the burgeoning market currently ignored by traditional trends agencies. As one of the fastest growing areas of innovation it's vital to have a dedicated collective focused on mapping the forthcoming changes and developments to better align product developers, trading teams and marketeers with the needs of the future consumer.
Ultra Violet Futures is uniquely placed to combine intimate industry knowledge, contacts and experience to provide insightful and, most importantly, accurate forecasts within the now thriving field. Working with us gives you a unique perspective in the future of your consumer allowing your business to not only envisage but define the future of this category
Women of Wearables
Website: https://www.womenofwearables.com/
Please visit our website for more information.Femtech World
Website: https://www.femtechworld.co.uk/
We are a global media platform, run by award winning journalists, on a mission to contribute to closing the gender health gap by providing valuable news, insights and analysis on the exciting femtech sector. Produced by specialist health media group Aspect Publishing, Femtech World aims to give the femtech community a voice, breaking down professional borders, spreading opportunities and destigmatising women’s health issues.
FemTechnology
Website: https://femtechnology.org/
FemTechnology seeks to build the future of women’s health by bringing together Femtech Startups, chief clinicians, groundbreaking researchers and university students for a 360 degree perspective on innovation in women’s health.
Our platform encompasses FemTechnology Summit (our work to connect existing actors in women’s health to bridge the gap in care and solve collective painpoints), FemTechnology University Series (our work to build the pipeline of innovation in women’s health by scouting and activating the next gen of researchers and founders in women’s health) and FemTechGuide (our work to translate innovations in women’s health for clinicians and employers to create an integrated platform that is easily accessible).
2023 Speakers
Marija Butkovic
Tania Boler
Alia El-Yassir
Priya Oberoi
Priya Oberoi is the Founding Partner at Goddess Gaia Ventures, which is building a £100 million pre-series A venture fund to invest in companies innovating in women’s health and wellness. She is also the Founder and Managing Partner at Oberoi Capital Partners Limited. She is an avid angel investor and has over 20 years’ experience in the legal and financial industry and has a degree from Oxford University.
Valentina Sartori
Chantal Cox
Dr Mridula Pore
Dr Mridula Pore is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Peppy. A next-generation solution that’s transforming digital healthcare, working with employers and private medical insurers to give individuals physical, mental and emotional support when they need it most. Mridula has spent her career driving innovations in healthcare to make it more accessible and affordable. Most recently she has led commercial teams in the pharmaceuticals and digital health industries. Prior to that she was an engagement manager at McKinsey & Co. She has a PhD in chemical engineering from MIT and an MBA from the MIT Sloan.
Erini Rapti
Valentina Milanova
Valentina Milanova is the founder of Daye, the gynae health research and development company on a mission to close the gender pain gap and overcome historical gender biases in medical research and product innovation. After years of research and testing, Daye launched its first consumer product in 2020 - the world‘s only cramp-soothing tampon. From the outset, Valentina has baked her core values into the DNA of the company - Daye‘s products are created by women who used to be in the prison system, and their tampons are produced in a fully carbon neutral operation. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Valentina moved to the UK to attend the University of Buckingham, where she got degrees in business, economics, and law. After considering careers in journalism and econometrics, Valentina soon found herself drawn in by the start-up world, working first at Techstars and then as a venture associate for Founders Factory. Meanwhile, she began working on her own idea for a company. After 180 pitches to investors, Valentina managed to raise £4.23 million in seed funding and in 2018, Daye started officially changing the face of female health for the better.
Wendy Anderson
Wendy Anderson is a Co-founder and Investing Partner at The Case for Her, a philanthropic investment portfolio addressing the key women’s health issues of menstruation and female sexual health & pleasure. A graduate of Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, Wendy spent over a decade working in the financial industry before transitioning to impact investing at Futura Foundations, which she directs together with her husband, acting as Chair of Social Initiatives since 2009. Wendy chairs the Board at Be Girl, a mission-driven design company addressing menstruation, is on the Executive Board of Women Moving Millions and sits on the advisory boards of both Saral Designs and The Center for Intimacy Justice.
Peony Li
Shirley Sylvester
Jérôme Michaud
Cristina Bescos
Lucanus Polagnoli
Lucanus is one of Europe’s emerging managers: He is a founder and managing partner at Calm/Storm, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on digital-health and wellbeing. Before founding Calm/Storm in 2020, he was a startup operator, a CFO and a general partner of an early-stage fund (Speedinvest) – a combination not often found in venture capital.
Lucanus is passionate about helping others – especially founders – and will assist in every aspect of building your company. Investors and founders trust him, his hands-on approach and his knowledge around numbers. With more than 35 investments, he and the Calm/Storm team have demonstrated the ability to find and pick those rare cases where entrepreneurs are able to build both outstanding products and big businesses. Lucanus also has a real passion for digital solutions that improve our lives, and has most likely hit the limit of the number of apps "installable" on a phone.
In his free time, you’ll find him spending time with his wife and three children in the most liveable city in the world, Vienna, Austria, or sometimes racing sailing boats in his home turf, Lake Attersee in beautiful Salzkammergut – or as he calls it, “The Sound Of Music Land”.
Stephanie Kuku
Mathieu Horras
Therese Maria Liechtenstein
Therese Liechtenstein, PhD, is a Principal in the Biotechnology team of M Ventures. Therese joined M Ventures in 2018. She was instrumental in the creation and financing of multiple companies of M Ventures portfolio, including FoRx Therapeutics and Anavo Therapeutics. Thera actively leads investments and represents M Ventures on the board of multiple portfolio companies. Previously Therese managed strategic projects for the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany. Prior to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Therese was a client relationship manager in the field of wealth preservation, at Industrie- & Finanzkontor Ets. Therese comes from an academic background receiving her PhD in Immuno-Oncology from University College London, an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, and a BA in Biology and Business studies from New York University.
Yotam Hod
Ipek Gunduz
Melis Guvensoy Okalper
Ricarda Dewes
Maeve Cusack
Wei Escala
Kenneth Drury
Cecile Real
Heloïse Nogues
Issy Gordon
Léa Hubsch
Adam Amara
Lucy Baldwin
Nina Stanley
Ricarda Dewes
Siwen Pan
Stasa Stankovic
Nina Zoric
Helen O'Neill
Axelle Ducos
Chris Payne
Alison Slingsbury
Alison Slingsby is the Global Lead Women’s Health Innovation at Perrigo. Her main responsibilities are to uncover unmet needs and find appropriate new products and services to fill these gaps.
Alison’s career has been focused on Women’s Health for last 28 years, with her experience spanning across the various stages of a woman’s journey from contraception, fertility and through to menopause. Over her career Alison has been responsible for the launch of several new and innovative products.
At Perrigo we champion the right of women and people to determine their own sexual health journey and access the solutions they want. Alison is passionate to improve women’s lives through broadening access to solutions that really make a difference.
Alison is looking forward to networking and connecting with other like-minded professionals to continue on this journey.
View the 2023 agenda
Our 2023 agenda is now available to view. Sessions include:
- The European Women's Health Landscape
- Overcoming and Understanding European Regulatory Challenges
- 30 Years of Women in Clinical Trials: Where are we Now?
- Blockchain in the Assisted Reproductive Technology Industry: Challenges and Opportunities
- Technology and Community as Tools for Education
- Endometriosis: Going Beyond Diagnosis
View the 2023 #WHISEU Agenda
REGISTRATION
Sending Your Team? Group Discounts Available!
Applicable for Primary Market, Service Provider and Industry Rates Only. Not available for Academic or ‘Start-Up’ rates
Book a Team of 3+ - Save an Additional 10% Off
Book a Team of 5+ - Save an Additional 15% Off
If you would like to register a team of 3 or more, please email [email protected] for your discount coupon code before registering. PLEASE NOTE: Discounts cannot be combined with Early Bird Pricing or any other discount or offer. If you have any questions about your registration, please call us on +44 (0)20 3696 2920
TICKET PRICES INCREASE IN
Venue Description
Venue
Congress Center Basel Messepl. 21, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
The Congress Center Basel is the largest congress center in Switzerland in terms of area. Look forward to comfortable furnishings and the latest technology that meets even the highest demands.
To view a list of nearby hotels, please click here.
Partner With Us
Based on your objectives, we can create bespoke packages designed specifically for you – from presenting your expertise on the main stage, to hosting a private dinner. You can partner with us showcase your brand and make valuable new connections. Opportunities predominantly lie in 3 main categories: Thought Leadership, Branding & Networking.
To discuss your objectives and partnership opportunities please contact [email protected]
Interested in a media partnership?
We'd love to hear from you and how we can support one another to connect with the industry. Contact [email protected]
Returning Safely Measures
Whether sponsors, speakers or attendees, our customers attend Kisaco Research events to connect, learn and innovate to know more and do business. It is our commitment that as we return to in-person events, they can do this effectively, safely and with confidence.
All in-person Kisaco Research events will prioritize the health and safety of colleagues and customers and, in the first instance, will be run in accordance with official government and local authority guidance, as well as any venue or location-specific regulations.
Kisaco Research is committed to following the Association of Event Organisers All Secure Standard, which has been approved by by UK Government.
About Kisaco Research
Kisaco Research produces, designs and hosts B2B industry conferences, exhibitions and communities – focused on a specialized selection of topic areas.
Meet industry peers that will help build a career-changing network for life.
Learn from the mistakes of your peers as much as their successes—ambitious industry stalwarts who are happy to share not just what has made them successful so far but also their plans for future proofing their companies.
Note down the inspired insight that will form the foundation for future strategies and roadmaps, both at our events and through our online communities.
Invest both in your company growth and your own personal development by signing up to one of our events and get started.
