Latest news with #Ovasave
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: More women are choosing to freeze their eggs despite social stigma; here's why
This year, 25-year-old Arab expat M.A. is making a bold and proactive decision of freezing her eggs. A communications professional based in the UAE, M.A. said it wasn't an easy conversation to have, especially coming from a conservative Arab background. "It took me a lot of courage to broach this subject with my family. But my parents were open-minded and supportive of my decision," she shared. "I am nowhere close to even meeting a partner, let alone getting married. That is why I decided that I want to take this step. I am the eldest of three girls and I think I am going to set an example for my sisters as well," she added. M.A. is one of a growing number of women in the UAE exploring fertility preservation. In recent months, several events have aimed to educate and empower women about their reproductive choices. In May, science and technology company Merck partnered with femtech firm Ovasave to host an evening of discussion to encourage more women to take informed decisions about their fertility. Earlier this month, media agency TishTash followed suit with an event focused on IVF and egg freezing. Growing interest 'I have seen a noticeable rise in interest from women seeking information about egg freezing,' said Cassie Destino, founder of IVF Support UAE. 'As fertility preservation becomes a more mainstream conversation, more women are learning about their options and recognising that this kind of proactive healthcare can be an empowering choice for their future.' According to Dr Charles Badr Nagy Rafael, consultant obstetrics and gynaecology at Medcare Women and Children Hospital, he has seen more women opting for egg-freezing. 'More women are freezing their eggs in their late 20s and especially by 30s for various reasons such as focusing on career, waiting for the right partner, or managing health issues like endometriosis,' he said. 'It's an empowering option that gives women more control over their future.' He added that many women learn about their infertility only when they start trying for a child and often times, it is too late. 'If women often have painful periods, discomfort during intimacy or ongoing pelvic pain, it could be a sign of endometriosis,' he said. 'The good news is, we have ways to detect it early like simple scans or minor procedures and explore options like egg freezing or treatment to help protect your future fertility. The key is not to wait talk to your doctor early if something doesn't feel right," he added. Sarrah Barakat, government affairs – access and communications director at Merck Gulf said she wished she had known about the option to freeze her eggs when she was younger. "I had my son at 38, and the entire pregnancy was filled with anxiety — worrying about age-related risks like Down syndrome and other such issues that could show in late pregnancies,' she recalled. She believes that as society encourages women to pursue careers and delay traditional paths like marriage and motherhood, it's essential they're made aware of their reproductive choices. "It is really just about giving them another option.' Stigma persists Despite rising awareness, many women still face challenges in accessing egg freezing and IVF — primarily due to cost. 'Because it's not considered an 'essential' healthcare in the way disease treatment is, many women hesitate to spend that kind of money, especially on something that feels uncertain or far off in the future. There's also a perception that the process will be long, painful, or overly complicated. "In reality, it's far more manageable than many expect. But it can still feel like a major step, especially when you're not even sure if you'll ever need to use the frozen eggs. That emotional and financial unknown can be a real hurdle for many women," Cassie noted. Dr Charles added that although things have gotten a lot better, there is still some stigma around the biological clock and fertility risks. 'There's still a long way to go,' he said. 'With all the talk about IVF and egg freezing, many young women think they can hit pause on fertility, but biology still plays by its own rules. Egg quality naturally declines with age, even if you feel perfectly healthy. That's why we encourage open, honest conversations early on so you can plan your future with confidence.'
CairoScene
21-07-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Abu Dhabi Startup Ovasave Raises $1.2M to Expand Fertility Platform
Founded in 2023, Ovasave focuses on fertility and hormonal health, offering a digital-first service for hormone testing, egg freezing, virtual consultations, and menopause care. Jul 21, 2025 Abu Dhabi-based FemTech startup Ovasave has secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding to scale its digital health platform across the GCC. The round was led by PlusVC, Annex Investments, and New York's 25 Madison, with additional support from strategic angel investors and family offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2023, Ovasave focuses on fertility and hormonal health, offering a digital-first service for hormone testing, egg freezing, virtual consultations, and menopause care. Its platform combines at-home diagnostic tools with personalised care protocols and access to fertility clinics. The company also runs a corporate benefits programme, aimed at helping organisations offer reproductive health services as part of employee wellbeing strategies. "There is a critical need for timely intervention in women's health, particularly around fertility and hormonal health, Torkia Mahloul, Co-founder and CEO of Ovasave said. "This funding marks a crucial step in our mission to disrupt women's health and expand access to fertility and hormonal care across the region. A recent report by FemTech Analytics showed that the FemTech market in the region is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 15% from 2021 to 2031. The new capital will support Ovasave's regional expansion, the scaling of employer partnerships, and the development of the next version of its mobile app. Upcoming features will include menstrual cycle tracking, symptom monitoring, AI-supported treatment recommendations, and expanded menopause support. Ovasave is registered with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and is part of the Hub71 tech ecosystem, aligning its services with national efforts to digitise healthcare and expand access to preventive care.
Gulf Business
21-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Hub71 startup, Ovasave, raises $1.2m pre-seed round
Image: Supplied Ovasave, an Abu Dhabi-based digital health startup focused on fertility and hormonal care, has raised $1.2m in pre-seed funding, a sign of growing investor appetite for women's health innovation across the Gulf. The funding round was led by PlusVC, Annex Investments, and New York-based venture studio 25 Madison. It also drew support from strategic angel investors and family offices across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, reflecting a widening pool of capital being deployed into early-stage femtech ventures. Backed by Abu Dhabi's The company plans to use the funding to accelerate its expansion across the GCC, build new corporate partnerships, and roll out the next phase of its mobile platform, which will offer menstrual cycle tracking, symptom monitoring, AI-guided treatment protocols, and access to care. Ovasave aiming to fill gap when it comes women's healthcare in the region 'There is a critical need for timely intervention in women's health, particularly around fertility and hormonal health,' said Torkia Mahloul, co-founder and CEO of Ovasave. 'This funding marks a crucial step in our mission to disrupt women's health and expand access across the region.' Majd Abu Zant, co-founder of The raise comes amid a push by Gulf governments to diversify healthcare offerings and advance gender equality through national policy. In the UAE, reforms in healthcare, technology, and women's rights have created a fertile ground for emerging FemTech players to gain traction. Femtech, once considered a niche sub-sector, is increasingly drawing investor interest. A recent report by FemTech Analytics projects the MENA femtech market will reach $3.8bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of 15 percent. Startups like Ovasave are hoping to ride that wave by addressing long-standing taboos and gaps in care, particularly in fertility and hormonal health. The startup is now preparing to launch in Saudi Arabia later this summer, as part of a broader three-year regional growth strategy. By combining AI-powered tools with direct access to care, Ovasave aims to move women's health from reactive to proactive – a shift that investors are starting to bet on.
Entrepreneur
18-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
"We Got Funded!" Hub71 Startup's Ovasave Raises US$1.2 Million to Transform Fertility and Hormonal Care Across MENA
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Ovasave, a Hub71 FemTech startup focused on fertility and hormonal health, has successfully completed its pre-seed round, raising US$1.2 million from a mix of regional and international investors. The round was led by PlusVC, Annex Investments, and New York-based 25 Madison, with additional backing from UAE and Saudi-based strategic angel investors and prominent family offices. This reflects the strong investors' confidence and growing demand for innovation in women's health across the region. Founded in 2023, Ovasave offers women a seamless, digital-first experience for fertility testing, egg freezing, hormone management, and menopause care. The platform combines at-home hormone testing, virtual consultations, personalized supplement protocols, and access to top fertility clinics for fertility preservation (egg freezing). Positioned as disruptors in fertility and women's hormonal health, Ovasave has also established a growing corporate benefits scheme that helps organizations support employees' reproductive health as part of their workplace wellbeing programs. The US$1.2 million capital raised will be used to support regional expansion across the GCC, scale corporate partnerships, and launch the next phase of Ovasave's mobile app, which will include menstrual cycle tracking, symptom monitoring, access to care, and AI-driven treatment protocols. Ovasave will also address a historically overlooked stage of women's health, offering a broader range of services targeting perimenopause and menopause. The raise comes as the UAE accelerates national reforms in healthcare and women's rights, offering a timely window for FemTech innovation. Ovasave is registered with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and supported by Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, Hub71, further aligning it with the nation's broader digital and preventive health strategies. Majd Abu Zant, co-founder of Ovasave and global leader in fertility and women's healthcare, said, "Abu Dhabi's focus on innovation, healthcare, and entrepreneurship has created a competitive environment for founders and investors alike. As an Abu Dhabi-based startup supported by Hub71, Ovasave has benefited from a strong regulatory framework, access to capital, and proximity to regional decision-makers. It's the right environment to build and scale high-impact ventures, and from here, we are expanding into Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region." "Overall, FemTech in the UAE is still in its early stages, but the momentum is clear. With increasing investor interest and a strong national focus on women's health and innovation, the UAE is emerging as a regional hub for the growth of this sector," Abu Zant added. Torkia Mahloul, co-founder and CEO of Ovasave, said, "There is a critical need for timely intervention in women's health, particularly around fertility and hormonal health. This funding marks a crucial step in our mission to disrupt women's health and expand access to fertility and hormonal care across the region. We are grateful for the confidence shown by our investors, which allows us to scale a platform designed to deliver timely, personalized, and accessible fertility and hormonal care. By bringing together medical expertise, digital convenience, and emotional support, we are helping women take control of their health earlier and more effectively across different life stages." Built with a clear purpose, Ovasave is shifting women's care from reactive to proactive. Its solutions are designed to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and make it easier for women to access support in an area that has long been considered taboo and under-discussed. Moreover, Ovasave has embedded public education into its core mission, organizing awareness events, expert talks, and collaborating with physicians to normalize fertility conversations. One of its standout initiatives was the "Fertility Your Way" campaign with Merck Gulf, offering free AMH screenings across the UAE. More than 500 women were screened during the campaign. The startup also partnered with leading employers including Aldar, Boston Consulting Group, and WeWork to raise awareness on fertility in the workplace. Through these efforts, Ovasave is helping shift the narrative on reproductive health across the region. "With investor confidence and strong market demand, the conversation around women's health is changing, signaling that fertility and hormonal care are no longer peripheral issues. Women's health is now a priority for innovation and investment in the Middle East, and we are proud to be leading that change," Mahloul concluded.
TECHx
17-07-2025
- Business
- TECHx
Ovasave Raises $1.2M to Expand Fertility Platform in MENA
Home » Startups » Ovasave Raises $1.2M to Expand Fertility Platform in MENA Ovasave, a Hub71-based FemTech startup focused on fertility and hormonal health, has announced the successful completion of its pre-seed funding round. The company raised $1.2 million from a mix of regional and international investors. The round was led by PlusVC, Annex Investments, and New York-based 25 Madison. Additional funding came from strategic angel investors and family offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The funding reflects growing investor confidence and demand for innovation in women's health across the region. Founded in 2023, Ovasave offers a digital-first platform for women, covering fertility testing, egg freezing, hormone management, and menopause care. The platform integrates at-home hormone testing, virtual consultations, personalized supplement protocols, and access to top fertility clinics. The startup has also introduced corporate fertility benefits programs to help organizations support employee reproductive health. According to Ovasave, the $1.2 million capital will be used to: Expand across the GCC region Scale corporate partnerships Launch the next version of its mobile app The upcoming app update will feature menstrual cycle tracking, symptom monitoring, AI-driven treatment protocols, and access to care. Ovasave will also expand its services to include support for perimenopause and menopause, addressing a previously overlooked stage of women's health. The funding announcement aligns with ongoing healthcare reforms and national support for women's health in the UAE. Ovasave is registered with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and is backed by Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem, Hub71. Majd Abu Zant, Co-founder of Ovasave, noted that Abu Dhabi's focus on healthcare, innovation, and entrepreneurship provides the right environment for high-impact ventures. He confirmed Ovasave's expansion into Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. FemTech Analytics reported that the MENA FemTech market is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 15%. Ovasave Co-founder and CEO Torkia Mahloul emphasized the need for timely fertility and hormonal care. She said the funding will help scale a platform offering personalized and accessible care for women across different life stages. The startup is also committed to public education, with campaigns like 'Fertility Your Way,' in partnership with Merck Gulf, offering free AMH screenings to over 500 women in the UAE. Ovasave has partnered with employers such as Aldar, Boston Consulting Group, and WeWork to raise awareness around fertility in the workplace. The company reported that investor confidence and regional demand signal a shift in how fertility and hormonal health are perceived. Ovasave aims to lead innovation in women's health across the Middle East.
