Creative agency launches health equity accelerator programme with a focus on femtech

The global creative agency RAPP has launched a health equity accelerator programme to support aspiring start-ups in the healthcare space.

The agency is kicking off the programme focused on the burgeoning femtech space, inviting US-based femtech startups to apply for the inaugural pro bono award.

Following two judging rounds, one start-up will be selected to receive marketing services, mentorship, and networking opportunities through RAPP.

The inaugural purpose of the programme is to support a “game-changing” start-up with significant breakthrough potential, helping them to succeed in a marketplace where women, people of colour, and other marginalised communities have been traditionally underfunded and underrepresented.

Although the programme’s long-term goal is to support a different sector each year, the agency is starting the series with a focus on femtech, as figures suggest the women’s health market is forecasted to reach US$75b globally by 2025, according to Statista.

“At RAPP, we understand the disparities that exist in the healthcare space and want to offer our services to up-and-coming brands that have the ability to bring new solutions to market,” said Erica Kraus, RAPP US’ head of healthcare strategy.

“We want to invest in communities that have major unmet needs and help provide better outcomes for women patients and consumers.

“We’re looking at diverse start-up founders taking bold risks to fill the gap and help catalyse positive social changes across the healthcare ecosystem and beyond.”

As the femtech space continues to grow, the key areas of interest for this year’s programme are fertility support, pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood support, primary and preventive care, sexual and reproductive care, chronic disease care, perimenopause and menopause care, menstruation care and behavioral health.

Applicants will need to consider the following criteria when submitting:

• Woman-founded: A member of the founding team (>10 per cent equity) must be woman-identifying, whether cis-or-transgender, or non-binary. Consideration will also be given to underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.
• Mission-driven: Addresses a significant public health disparity for the women+ audience.
• US-based and operated: The start-up must be US owned and operated.
• In-market solution: Must have an advanced product offering with an in-market solution, revenue, and customer base.

RAPP says its pro bono services for the winner will include consumer definition and affinity analysis, a three-day ideation workshop to imagine a new experience and define how exactly to drive business growth, a core experience prototype build, and mentorship and networking.

The programme opened for entry in March. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2023.

To find out more, visit seriesr.rapp.com.