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In the startup world, we often say that it is best to solve a problem that you’re personally affected by. This is the case of Gina, Elena, and Olga- three women who have firsthand observed how the healthcare system is often not tailored to women’s different needs and problems. That’s why they created Vivian Lab- to address the need for female-specific health solutions, addressing topics such as menopause, hormonal disorders, pregnancy and others, as well as diseases that affect women disproportionately. With complementary backgrounds in technology, healthcare, and HR, the three founders have rolled their sleeves to solve a pressing issue for both women and employers.
The women’s health market
is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by increasing awareness about women’s health issues, including the importance of regular check-ups, early detection of diseases, and access to quality healthcare. This, coupled with the rising prevalence of diseases such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, and gynecological disorders, has led to an increased demand for women’s healthcare products and services. A testament to that are the U.S. government’s recent $12 billion commitment to women’s health and the global market for digital women’s health solutions in Europe estimated at $4.625B. In 2023, the menopause market alone saw a 22% growth, reaching $230M in equity funding. Additionally, new ESG regulations are pushing companies to adopt more inclusive policies, including support for women’s health in the workplace.
Vivian solves a problem affecting not only women
but also employers – lack of female-specific health solutions resulting in hard economic losses. Despite women making 80% of healthcare-related consumer decisions, the female health market has been historically underserved. Menopause, which can last up to 10 years, causes over 30 different symptoms. Yet due to stigma and lack of education, many women fail to recognize those symptoms, but feel something is “wrong” with them. On top of that, doctors often misdiagnose these symptoms due to insufficient menopause training, leading to higher costs for insurance companies and pushing women to leave the workforce earlier. This is estimated to cost employers $150 billion annually in productivity loss and healthcare costs. At the same time, women’s health challenges are still considered a sensitive topic and many women would prefer not to self-identify when going through such a stage. This lack of support and transparency becomes a pressing issue for employers, fighting with employee retention and productivity. Vivian’s own study among 500 women in menopause indicates that 97% experience negative symptoms during menopause – 65% say menopause causes them problems that hinder their ability to work, 20% were forced to miss work due to menopausal symptoms, and 20% have quit or are considering quitting their job. All these gloomy findings acted as a driving force for Vivian’s team who decided to change this.
Vivian Lab comes as the solution
to this multifaceted problem with a vision to become an end-to-end digital clinic supporting women in every stage of their life. Their first flagship digital program focuses on menopause. The program provides women with tailored support and resources during this critical life stage. With a focus on holistic well-being, the platform integrates educational content, telehealth consultations, personalized treatment plans, community support, and AI assistants, making menopause management accessible and empowering. This allows women to feel supported and better manage and improve their symptoms in natural ways. What’s more, it helps employers and insurance companies to increase productivity, retain talent, and decrease costs by offering preventative care solutions. This approach not only addresses individual health needs but also contributes to creating more inclusive and supportive work environments.
Lifelong friends, Gina and Elena have been side by side
from elementary school to growing up together through life’s stages and even becoming godmothers to each other’s children. Olga joined their circle a bit later by virtue of one of those rare instant connections that life sometimes gives us. Gina and Olga met during the Covid years when they both lived in Munich and immediately knew that they would become friends for life. One night, Gina shared with Olga her ideas of turning her professional experience into something meaningful. What began as casual conversations about the challenges women face—fertility, pregnancy, menopause—soon evolved into a shared mission. The Monday night video calls planning Vivian Lab after their kids fell asleep gradually turned into a digital clinic with a community of 40,000 women around it. United by a common vision, the three ladies set out to create Vivian Lab, a platform that every woman deserves.
