4 Women-Led Startups Funded by WEL Altantic
tl;dr
The first WEL Atlantic fund, launched in 2023, successfully raised $190,000 from 38 investors to support four women-led companies: Uresta, Aurea Technologies, Hollo Medical, and Myomar Molecular.
Uresta, Hollo Medical, Myomar Molecular, and Aurea Technologies are pioneering innovative solutions in female health, respiratory care, muscle health, and renewable energy, respectively.
The first WEL Atlantic fund was a resounding success, with 38 investors contributing to the growth of four women-led companies. The fund, created in 2023, invested a total of $190,000 in Uresta, Aurea Technologies, Hollo Medical and Myomar Molecular.
Lauren Barker,
CEO @ Uresta
Uresta is determined to displace every outdated solution for female taboos, starting with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In a category that expects women to manage bladder leaks by wincing and waddling in a glorified diaper, Uresta sits inside the vagina to stop leaks at the source.
Made of a medical-grade, hypoallergenic polymer, it’s washable, reusable, and odour-free, eliminating the risk of UTIs or toxic shock associated with other absorbent products.
Uresta has experienced tremendous growth in Canada since CEO Lauren Baker took the helm three years ago. After receiving FDA clearance for over-the-counter sale in April, the company is set to enter the US market later this year, aiming to penetrate the multi-billion-dollar female incontinence market.
“With 1 in 3 women struggling with incontinence after age 30, up to 1 in 2 diagnosed by menopause, and 50% experiencing it while exercising, Uresta is a no-brainer. It’s time for women to ditch the pads and say ‘hell no!’ to subpar, unsanitary solutions invented in the last century,” says CEO Lauren Baker.
Sara Fedullo, EIT,
CEO and Co-founder @ Hollo Medical Inc.
Millions of people worldwide reach for an inhaler when they struggle to breathe, but 90% use them improperly, meaning that only a fraction of the medication ends up in the lungs, where it is needed. Hollo’s holding chamber replaces the current bulky and inconvenient solutions, with a device that helps patients feel more relief with each breath, all while fitting comfortably in a pocket.
Our goal is to reduce the burden of respiratory illnesses and help patients focus on what they love doing in life, rather than what holds them back. - Sara Fedullo
Dr. Rafaela Andrade, Co-founder and CEO @ Myomar Molecular
Myomar developed a muscle health test which serves as a pivotal tool in monitoring and predicting muscle degeneration. By adopting a highly individualized approach to enhance muscle well-being, this innovative test is poised to revolutionize the entire field, setting a new standard for precision and effectiveness in personalized muscle health assessments.
"The WEL investment was pivotal to allow us to complete the final phase of our R&D and start our commercialization phase. We now have Health Canada clearance and will be in the market early Fall. During the due diligence process other angels also invested alongside WEL increasing the total investment amount!" - Rafaela Andrade
Cat Adalay, Founder and CEO @ Aurea Technologies
Aurea Technologies develops and manufactures portable wind energy systems for the global market. Founded in 2017 and based in Nova Scotia, Canada, Aurea’s mission is to democratize and decentralize power by providing person-portable clean energy solutions.
The company's first consumer product, the patented Shine Turbine, is a compact wind turbine designed for charging handheld electronics.
Launched on Kickstarter in June 2021, the Shine Turbine is now available in the US, Canada, and Europe, with 2,000 units shipped to date. The Shine Turbine is the first in a series of renewable energy products created by Aurea Technologies to provide freedom from the electrical grid and ensure clean energy independence.
"Aurea Technologies’ mission is to provide clean energy independence. Our female-founded company proudly develops and manufactures portable renewable energy products at our facility in Nova Scotia, Canada. Our wind energy systems empower people to create their own energy free from the electrical grid. At Aurea, we value the outdoors, the environment, and sustainability. We believe everyone should have access to power and that the power we use should be sustainable and renewable." - Cat Adalay
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