Happy 40th Birthday! Welcome to your first (of many) perimenopause ads. Radical self-acceptance? Menopause support groups?
We’ve come a long way…but still have so far to go.
Menopause Innovation: Why Investors Are (Finally) Paying Attention
For decades, menopause was overlooked in healthcare and innovation. It’s finally having its moment, and it’s about time.
In the past, women often navigated symptoms in silence, with few solutions designed for their specific needs. That silence is breaking, and investors are finally starting to listen.
Nearly 1.3 million women enter menopause each year in the U.S. By 2030, over 1.2 billion women worldwide will be going through some stage of the transition. Still, the number of start-ups targeting this phase of a woman’s journey is paltry.
In 2019, fewer than 10 U.S.-based startups focused on menopause, within a broader landscape of women’s health startups. Today, this number has increased 5X with approximately 50 menopause start-ups, addressing medical, digital, and wellness needs.
From One-Size-Fits-All to a Segmented Continuum
Menopause is not one stage. It is a continuum that can span decades of a woman’s life.
• Perimenopause often begins in the 40s, with irregular cycles, mood changes, and sleep disruption. Digital tools and lifestyle interventions can make early detection and management far more effective.
• Menopause itself brings acute issues like hot flashes, cognitive shifts, and metabolic changes. Solutions here span everything from hormone therapy to devices and supplements.
• Post-menopause emphasizes longevity. Bone density, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function come to the forefront, aligning menopause solutions with the broader healthy aging movement.
Investors who treat menopause as a single moment will miss the richness of this continuum. Those who tailor innovations to each stage will capture deeper loyalty and trust.
Innovation Takes Shape
Innovation is happening across multiple fronts, with leading companies shaping the category.
• Virtual + Hybrid Care: Platforms like Midi Health, Alloy, Gennev, and Elektra Health offer personalized care via telemedicine. Their subscription-based models make access more convenient and cost-effective.
• Consumer Products: Brands such as Bonafide, Kindra, Womaness, Wile, and Attn: Grace are building targeted solutions in supplements, nutrition, and beauty. Retailers like Ulta and Target are even dedicating shelf space to menopause solutions.
• Digital Technology: Companies like Caria, Balance, Peanut, and B-wom are creating apps and communities that connect women, track symptoms, and provide recommendations.
• Biopharma: Innovators like Oviva Therapeutics, Gameto, and Celmatix are developing new therapies with potential to reshape clinical standards.
• Medical Devices: Hardware solutions are also emerging, with companies like Embr Labs, Mira, and Madorra addressing hot flashes, fertility transitions, and sexual wellness.
Thanks to SJF Ventures for this grid:
The Market Opportunity with an Investor Lens
The financial potential is clear. The U.S. menopause market stood at $5.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.6 billion by the early 2030s.
Globally, the market is expected to expand from $18 billion in 2024 to nearly $27 billion by 2030. Broader estimates, which include supplements, longevity, and care delivery, push the figure closer to $600 billion.
Funding is following this momentum. Women’s health startups overall attracted $2.6 billion in VC funding in 2024, up from $1.7 billion in 2023. Of that, about $530 million has been directed specifically toward menopause care.
• $210 M into virtual and hybrid care
• $145 M into biopharma
• $175 M across consumer, devices, and digital platforms
Celebrity investors are adding cultural momentum. Amy Schumer, Tory Burch, and Meghan Markle all backed Midi Health’s $63 million raise, giving the category new visibility and credibility.
Why Investors Should Move Now
Menopause solutions combine recurring revenue potential with strong consumer retention. They can expand naturally into adjacent categories like mental health, sexual wellness, and longevity.
Exit opportunities are becoming more tangible through biopharma partnerships, retail expansion, and digital health consolidation. Most importantly, women are demanding solutions rooted in science and empathy.
The moment to invest is here. Menopause is emerging not just as a market, but as a movement. For those ready to engage, the Women’s Health Innovation Summit (WHIS 2025 in Boston, November 4–6) offers a critical touch point. This national meeting brings together startups, investors, pharma, and healthcare leaders across women’s health, with menopause high on the agenda. It will be one of the most important stages for connecting capital with innovation. If you are already planning to attend, please reach out to me so that we can connect there.
At Compass Marketing, we believe in shaping wellness futures with authenticity and actionable insight. We partner with visionary brands to uncover meaningful growth opportunities in women’s health, build trust-rich strategies, and launch products that resonate. Whether you are a startup founder or a seasoned investor, we’re here to help you translate this powerful trend into lasting impact and growth.
Lynda is a consumer marketing expert with a track record of successful U.S. and global product launches. She has created new product innovations across consumer wellness, from personal care to digital health. She is a founding partner of Compass Marketing.
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