Organon & Flat6Labs Announce Launch of 2nd Edition of Women’s Health Accelerator Program

Organon & Flat6Labs Announce Launch of 2nd Edition of Women’s Health Accelerator Program.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Organon and Flat6Labs kick off the second cycle of their Women’s Health Accelerator Program, supporting women-led innovation in healthcare across the MENAT region.

The global healthcare company, Organon, and one of MENA’s leading seed and pre-stage venture capital firms, Flat6Labs has announced the initiation of the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program. Taking note of the recent progress and the overall success of the first edition plus the incredible momentum observed across the MENA region, both Organon and Flat6Labs have decided to bring in the second edition of the same program which aims to facilitate digital health startups providing solutions to enhance women’s health across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. 

The three key points critical to women’s health of the second cycle include:

• Family Planning: Technologies Enhancing Contraception Counseling and Education & Awareness of Tools and Options. 

• Fertility Planning: Providing required solutions for IVF, Mental Health Support, and Counseling to people. 

• Women’s Wellness: Innovative Approaches in Maternal Care, Self-Care, Prevention of diseases, and Menstrual Health.  

The focus or the objective of this second edition program is to tackle specific challenges faced by women in the MENAT region specifically their health with an aim to find sustainable and long-term solutions. The key point is to look for identifying and promoting digital solutions that can help improve accessibility, encourage individuals, and improve the quality of well-being of women. As a result, advancing the healthcare associated with women in the areas noted. 

The second edition of this accelerator program fixed its eyes on startups based in countries such as Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, KSA, and the UAE. Most of these countries have their own established Organon & Flat6Labs offices and both of these firms have partnerships with localities in these countries. 

With the launch of the second cycle, the initiative aims to empower around 15 startups and initiate collaborations with various stakeholders, which helps in the graduation of these startups that are ready to launch and address current challenges in women’s health.  In addition to this, the program also has virtual and offline events such as information sessions, roadshows, pitch-a-thons, and webinars to expand connections, scout people, and selection efforts. 

Above all these, the second cycle of the Women’s Accelerator Program introduces enhanced program offerings. The offerings include:

• In-Depth Training: Each startup will be given specialised training in both technical and business aspects, providing the knowledge needed for skills necessary for success. 

• Mentorship and Guidance: Each entry will be given mentorship from Industry experts which further helps to expand their network of local as well as international mentors, investors, and corporations alike. 

• Exposure to Stakeholders: The startups will have several opportunities to showcase their key features to their investors and stakeholders, improving their visibility and expanding connections within the industry. 

• Regional Business Support: The mentorship will further help in the market exposure and accessibility of a regional network across the area.  

Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice president of Organon, Middle East North Africa & Turkey (MENAT), while talking about the program’s second cycle, said, “Investing in women’s health shows a positive return on investment (ROI): for every $1 invested, ~$3 is projected in economic growth. Investing in improving women’s health not only improves women’s quality of life but also enables them to participate more actively in the workforce and make a living. The potential value created through women’s higher economic participation and productivity exceeds the costs of implementation by a ratio of $3 to $1 globally. Launching the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing women’s health in the MENAT region. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Flat6Labs and continue listening to the needs of women, identifying innovative solutions that foster a better and healthier every day for her. This cycle is a testament to our sustained dedication to collaboration, innovation, and the empowerment of women-led startups in the digital healthcare space.”

Chief Programs Officier at Flat6Labs, Yehia Houry, stressed the importance of supporting female entrepreneurs and advancing women’s healthcare, stating, “As we embark on the second cycle of the Women’s Health Accelerator Program, we are thrilled to amplify our support for female entrepreneurs shaping the future of women’s healthcare. This initiative is not just about innovation; it’s about empowering visionary minds to create lasting impact. Our ongoing partnership with Organon and the evolving focus of this cycle reaffirm our commitment to fostering a dynamic ecosystem for women-led startups. Together, we aim to revolutionize the healthcare landscape, ensuring it reflects the diverse and nuanced needs of women across the MENAT region.”

Coming to the first cycle, the first edition of this program observed remarkable achievements of three main startups that stood out from the rest and emerged as the winners: “OMGYNO” which was established in the year 2021 and founded by Doreen Toutikian and Elisabeth Milni in Greece and Lebanon, “Siira” which was established in the year 2020 and founded by Sandra Salame in Lebanon, and “Maternally” which was established in the year 2023 and founded by Yasmin El Mouallem in the UAE. These companies have not only executed innovative approaches and excellence but they have become an integral part of this program’s ecosystem. 

As the program proceeds to the next cycle, the collaborators are excited to have these winners back into the fold. The insights, experiences, and successes of these winning startups will pose assistance to the forthcoming group of startups, enhancing the program with their valuable expertise and contributing to its continued success. 

Visit the program’s official site to learn more about the Women’s Health Accelerator Program’s second cycle. The applications will be closing on May 16, 2024.