Investing in Women Founders – Addressing the Gender Health Gap
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, Diversity UK, in collaboration with Greenwoods Legal LLP and Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, is proud to present an exclusive panel debate: “Investing in Women Founders: Addressing the Gender Health Gap.” Taking place on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Murray Edwards College, this event will bring together leading entrepreneurs, investors, and advocates to discuss the urgent need for greater investment in women-led businesses, particularly in the healthtech sector.
Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health Innovation
Despite making up nearly half the workforce, female entrepreneurs receive just a fraction of venture capital funding globally. In the healthtech sector, this disparity is even more pronounced, where innovations tailored to women's unique health needs remain underfunded and underdeveloped. Research shows that women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men, yet investment in female-focused healthcare solutions lags significantly behind.
The IWD 2025 panel debate aims to shine a light on these inequalities while driving forward the conversation on how to #AccelerateAction—this year’s IWD theme—towards closing the gender funding and health gaps.
An Inspiring Line-up of Industry Leaders
The event will feature a distinguished panel of experts who have been instrumental in advocating for women’s empowerment in tech, business, and healthcare innovation, including the host, Dorothy Byrne, President of Murray Edwards College. Moderated by Lopa Patel MBE, Chair of Diversity UK, the panel includes:
- Dr Elsa Zekeng, Founder – SokerData
- Hanadi Jabado DL, Managing Partner – Sana Capital
- Jiahao Huang, Founder – Nuclera
These trailblazers will explore critical issues such as:
✅ Why do women entrepreneurs struggle to attract funding?
✅ How can women-led healthtech startups thrive despite systemic barriers?
✅ What role can investors and policymakers play in closing the gender health gap?
✅ How can technology help address biases in healthcare research and funding?
Showcasing Women-Led Innovation
In addition to the panel discussion, the event will feature a Tech Showcase spotlighting three pioneering female healthtech entrepreneurs:
- Lorna Maclean, CEO & Founder – Demetria (AI-powered diagnostics for endometriosis)
- Sandra Igwe, CEO – The Motherhood Group (Maternal health advocacy & support)
- Shefali Bohra, Co-Founder – Dotplot (Breast health monitoring technology)
These founders will present their ventures in a rapid-fire pitch session, demonstrating how innovation can transform women’s healthcare while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Join the Conversation & Drive Change
The IWD 2025: Investing in Women Founders event is free to attend but ticketed, with registration now open. Secure your place and be part of this critical discussion on breaking barriers in funding, innovation, and healthcare for women.
📅 Date: Wednesday, 12 March 2025
📍 Venue: Murray Edwards College, Cambridge
⏰ Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
🎟️ Register now: https://bit.ly/4hhE4eY
Let’s take action to build a future where women’s health and entrepreneurship are no longer side-lined - because investing in women is investing in a healthier, more innovative world.
