Gayatri and Sanjana, both accomplished scientists with extensive academic backgrounds and professional journeys, joined forces to address a critical gap in women’s health. Gayatri, a chemical engineer from IIT Madras, holds a PhD from Penn State and completed her postdoctoral research at NCBS, Bangalore. Sanjana, a biochemist with a PhD from the University of Freiburg and postdoctoral experience from ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, shares Gayatri’s passion for science and healthcare. Their paths crossed in 2019 when Gayatri’s contributions to health communication caught Sanjana’s attention. A shared passion for improving women’s health led them to collaborate, leading to the founding of Miyara, a digital companion designed to support women through midlife and menopause.
The Birth of Miyara and Challenges in FemTech
The journey toward creating Miyara began after Sanjana faced her own health challenges following the birth of her son. She realized there was a significant gap in the resources available for women as they transitioned into midlife, especially around menopause. While pregnancy and fertility had ample resources, menopause remained largely unexplored, especially in India. This realization came to light after Gayatri and Sanjana conducted a survey of women in their late 30s and 40s, who revealed a shocking lack of knowledge about the physical and emotional changes they faced as they aged. This absence of conversation and support sparked the creation of Miyara.
The venture, however, wasn’t without its obstacles. Convincing investors that menopause and hormonal health were critical healthcare needs rather than niche concerns was a challenge. In an industry where women’s health, especially around menopause, is often underfunded and undervalued, Gayatri and Sanjana pushed forward, committed to bridging the gap.
Achievements and Innovation
Launched in February 2022, Miyara has since evolved into India’s first tech-forward, digital companion focused on midlife and menopausal health. With an AI-powered platform that facilitates conversations about menopause and women’s health, Miyara has already facilitated over 700 conversations and expanded to a multi-language WhatsApp bot this year. Their web-based AI companion provides personalized health assessments and actionable steps to manage symptoms, offering self-paced programs that integrate cognitive-behavioral techniques for managing hot flashes and insomnia, pelvic health treatment, and more.
Miyara’s impact extends beyond individual users. Through partnerships with over 10 corporate organizations, they’ve reached more than 10,000 women, conducting awareness sessions and symptom management workshops. Additionally, they’re actively contributing valuable data on women’s health trends in India, a step towards closing the data gap in this space.
Miyara’s Offerings and Unique Propositions
Miyara’s offerings are designed to make menopausal health accessible, informative, and actionable for women. The AI companion provides expert-backed guidance, health assessments, and personalized care plans, which include a mix of DIY programs and access to specialists when needed. The platform also integrates corporate wellness programs to support employees’ health through awareness and symptom management. Miyara’s unique approach ensures that women can access the care they need when and where they need it, fitting seamlessly into their busy lives.
The Future of FemTech and Miyara’s Vision
Miyara is actively working on expanding its reach and improving the user experience with the launch of a WhatsApp-based version of its AI companion. They are focused on improving the accessibility and effectiveness of their platform, ensuring that women can always access the support they need for managing their health.
The FemTech movement, to Gayatri and Sanjana, is about ensuring that women’s health becomes a priority. They are inspired by the growing awareness and support from women who attend their sessions and engage with their platform, expressing gratitude for the relief and understanding Miyara provides.
Trends in FemTech and What Lies Ahead
Looking forward, Gayatri and Sanjana predict significant trends in the FemTech industry. AI-driven personalized healthcare platforms will become more prevalent, offering hyper-personalized treatment recommendations and symptom management. Wearables that track hormonal fluctuations, sleep patterns, and other menopausal symptoms will integrate with AI solutions to provide holistic care. Additionally, there will be a greater focus on longevity and preventive health, with more investments in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and digital therapeutics for menopause management. FemTech will also see increased integration into corporate and insurance models, ensuring that women’s health receives the attention it deserves.
Advice for Aspiring FemTech Entrepreneurs
For anyone looking to enter the FemTech industry, Gayatri and Sanjana emphasize patience and resilience. FemTech is still undervalued, and breaking through the investment and market barriers can be challenging. However, the potential for impact is enormous, and they urge entrepreneurs to continue innovating, keeping women’s real-world health needs in mind.
Changing the Landscape of FemTech
The biggest change Gayatri and Sanjana aim to bring to the FemTech industry is increased recognition and investment in women’s health as a critical healthcare priority, not just a niche market. Menopause and hormonal health continue to be underfunded, despite their vast global impact. Through Miyara, they hope to help change the narrative, making women’s health impossible to ignore.
At Miyara, they’re not just providing solutions—they’re leading a movement to close the health gap, challenge outdated norms, and ensure that every woman has the access and support she deserves as she navigates midlife and beyond.
➡️ Link to the business’ website www.miyarahealth.com
If you’re a trailblazer in women’s health or FemTech, we’d love to hear your story! Share your journey and insights with us at info@femtechindia.com. Together, let’s amplify the voices driving positive change.
