Despite women driving much of the economy, women-founded companies receive just 2% of venture capital funding.
In collaboration with UPMC Enterprises, a new industry initiative endeavors to change that imbalance. The launch of the WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters) Investment Collaborative is uniting various multibillion-dollar funds to revolutionize funding in the women’s health market.
UPMC Enterprises is proud to partner with WHAM to offer not only our financial acumen and commitment from an investor perspective, but also the world-renowned clinical expertise from our colleagues at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute.
The Investment Collaborative seeks to realize the vast potential within this underfunded sector, driving both economic and health benefits. “By accelerating innovation in women’s health, we can unlock significant economic and health benefits — not just for women, but for everyone,” said Carolee Lee, CEO and Founder of WHAM.
The Collaborative will work toward three specific objectives:
- Double VC Investment: Increase funding for women-founded startups from 2% to 4% by 2026.
- Strengthen Investor Relationships: Enhance awareness and due diligence processes to speed up the lab-to-market pipeline.
- Publish Influential Reports: Release annual WHAM Investment Reports in partnership with KPMG, providing comprehensive industry insights.
Anna Mamo, director of Translational Sciences at UPMC Enterprises, will serve as a founding member of the Collaborative and bring her comprehensive understanding of both science and business to reshaping the investment landscape for women’s health care.
“Anna’s commitment to innovation and her diverse expertise make her an invaluable partner for the WHAM Investment Collaborative,” Lee said. “Her involvement will provide unparalleled insights that will help guide our efforts to advance funding for women’s health across the lifespan and achieve our mission to enhance women’s health research and investment to save lives and drive economic growth.”
The Collaborative includes other notable leaders who are committed to driving change in the women’s health sector, including: Dr. Christina Isacson from Lightstone Ventures, Sharon Kedar of Northpond Ventures, Erin Lambroza from L Catterton, and Alexandra Lundin of Insight Partners.
Next Steps
- Read about our partnership with Elektra Health and our ongoing initiatives to further women’s health.
- Connect with our investment teams today.
