Last week, we brought together investors, doctors, founders and academics at WIRED‘s London headquarters Condé Nast to launch our Women’s Health Venture Builder w/ Diverse & Equal
The WIRED Consulting team hosted our official launch and the energy in the room confirmed what we’ve felt all year. The need for focused innovation in this space is urgent, and the appetite to build it is real.
This builds on the momentum we’ve been creating across 2025 from our Women’s Health event at Civo in Shoreditch to our hackathon with NHS South-East London during London Data Week at King’s College London.
The conversation from academics, doctors and industry leaders led and hosted by Catriona Ejegi-Memeh (Née Hay) alongside Greg Williams, Phil Benson, Annette Joseph MBE, Christina G., Dr Xina Gooding Broderick FRSA FIoL, Dr Oyaverere Ikogho, Mindy Simon, Candace Oxley, Barry Singleton was amazing! their insights and experience confirmed the immense opportunity this venture builder represents for women and the region.
The fusion of academic research, community-held knowledge, and cutting-edge digital solutions holds immense potential to turbocharge solutions in women’s health. All too often we work in silos when the route to excellent health and wellbeing demands a multi-stakeholder approach. The collaboration between UK Black Tech and Diverse & Equal is actively creating the environment and gathering the resources necessary for this vital collective work.
Stephanie A Ejegi-Memeh, University of Sheffield
“I’m proud to support the UKBT & D&E Womens Health Venture Builder and I’m glad that this initiative offers a real opportunity to start shifting the dial and creating meaningful change. For too long, the lack of evidence and funding has widened the gender health gap. By harnessing research, data, and the strength of universities and innovation hubs like Nexus, we can begin to reshape the picture – developing solutions that reflect lived experience and move us closer to equity in health outcomes.”
Barry Singleton, Nexus Engagement Manager, University of Leeds
🏗️ What We’re Building:
A 24-month programme supporting 12 community-grounded innovators in hashtag#Leeds and hashtag#Manchester to tackle overlooked women’s health challenges — backed by clinicians, academic partners, NHS innovation networks, UKBT Institute of technologist and sector specialists.
We’re excited to back UKBlackTech’s Women’s Health Venture Builder! Proud to support innovation that’s important, impactful and game-changing
Gordon Love, Head of Computer Science, University of Leeds
📍 Next steps:
We’re assembling our founding partner network now. If you’re interested in shaping this programme. Whether through funding, expertise, mentorship or operational support, we’d welcome the conversation.
The momentum from last week shows what’s possible. Now we’re building the infrastructure to turn it into long-term impact ✨
Link to Support Form🔗 https://lnkd.in/eHXhcWEV