A Historic Intersection of Innovation and Empowerment

This past weekend, Expo City Dubai's Women’s Pavilion transformed into a hub of innovation and creativity for the first-ever FemTech Hackathon in the UAE. In collaboration with PeriCare and NextGen of Immunology Consultancy, this groundbreaking initiative coincided with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, shining a spotlight on the remarkable potential of young women in technology.

Tackling Women’s Health Challenges

Uniting developers, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and students, the hackathon aimed to engineer tech solutions for various aspects of women’s health and wellbeing. Topics addressed included fertility, mental health, reproductive care, and menopause, pushing participants to envision how technology can serve women throughout their lives.

From Ideas to Innovations: A Weekend of Creation

Over 100 proposals were submitted, culminating in 40 students from 23 UAE schools aged 16 to 18 participating in an intense 48-hour event. The atmosphere was electric as students brainstormed, built prototypes, and honed their ideas, all while receiving mentorship from industry experts. Their efforts resulted in diverse solutions that showcased both medical insights and cultural awareness.

Celebrating Young Innovators: Winning Concepts

At the conclusion of the hackathon, three exceptional teams were recognized for their innovative approaches, earning opportunities to advance their projects. Winners included:

- **MenoCare (1st Place)**: Tackling the lack of focus on menopause in medical spheres, MenoCare created an adhesive biosensor patch to monitor estrogen levels through sweat, paired with an app for women to better understand their hormonal health.

- **Bump2Baby (2nd Place)**: Addressing maternal health in underserved areas, Bump2Baby introduced a culturally aware wearable band that monitors fetal health and anticipates complications, alongside a support platform for new and high-risk mothers.

- **Clove (3rd Place)**: Clove is an AI-powered skincare assistant helping women manage skin health in line with hormonal changes, offering product recommendations and community support through a chatbot and educational resources.

A special mention went to Halima Sadiya Surti's project, a Smart Compact Mirror for Women’s Safety, which will receive further development support from PeriCare, ensuring she retains ownership of her intellectual property.

A Movement Towards Future Innovation

The FemTech Hackathon is not just a singular event; it's the inception of a movement prioritizing young women in the innovation landscape. It aligns with Expo City Dubai's mission to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and human potential, pushing to amplify women’s voices across all sectors.

Following this inaugural success, organizers are gearing up for future hackathons, aiming to expand the FemTech ecosystem in the region. With ongoing mentorship and opportunities for impactful real-world applications, this event has set the stage for a future where women lead the conversation on health technology.