INNOVATE FORWARD WOMEN'S HEALTH CHALLENGE
Advancing Breakthroughs in Women’s Midlife Health
The Innovate Forward: Women’s Health Challenge calls on startups that accelerate solutions for perimenopause, menopause, and midlife, including urogenital and metabolic health needs.
Open to businesses worldwide. Applicants must be legally registered entities in their respective countries. Subject to eligibility restrictions, including U.S. and international sanctions. Applications must be submitted by February 10, 2027 at 11:59 PM EST. Visit here for official rules. Void where prohibited.
Menopause Matters
Closing the Research Gap
By 2030, 1.2 billion women worldwide1 will experience menopause - yet research for this critical life stage remains underfunded.
Why Menopause Innovation Matters
Women spend nearly one-third of their lives post-menopause, facing heightened risks of metabolic ailments and other health challenges.
A 2022 analysis found that only 4% of healthcare research and innovation investments focus on women’s health, and just 1% target female-specific conditions beyond oncology2.
The need for research, innovation, and support is urgent. This challenge accelerates scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial solutions that address this critical gap.
“Menopause innovation is not just about symptom relief. It’s about women’s health, healthy aging, and improving quality of life for generations of women.”
Sources
- 1.Hill K. The demography of menopause. Maturitas. 1996 Mar;23(2):113-27. doi: 10.1016/0378-5122(95)00968-x. PMID: 8735350. PubMed
- 2.McKinsey & Company. Unlocking opportunities in women’s healthcare; 2022. mckinsey.com
THE 2026-2027 INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Accelerating the next generation of
women’s health solutions
Challenge Scope
This global call invites early-stage startups and translational researchers to advance bold, science-driven solutions addressing overlooked women’s health challenges in midlife and beyond across three priority areas.
Women’s Urogenital Health
Women’s Metabolic Health
Examples of breakthrough solutions include:
Solutions that improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms associated with perimenopause, menopause, urogenital health, and metabolic function.
Areas of interest include: Vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness and atrophy, decreased libido and arousal, reproductive and menstrual changes, body composition and weight fluctuations, mood changes, sleep disruptions, brain fog, incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, recurrent UTIs, and pain or discomfort.
Solutions that leverage novel technologies and nutritional approaches to address women’s health needs, including non-prescription compounds, natural hormonal analogs, probiotics, microbiome-based therapies, precision nutrition, and supplements.
Solutions that support women’s health across multiple physiological systems, including bone, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, cognitive, neurological, skin, hair, musculoskeletal, urinary, and immune health.
Solutions that enhance fertility and reproductive health
Solutions that advance biomarker discovery, characterization, and symptom tracking for perimenopause, menopause, urogenital health, and metabolic function.
Areas of interest include: Vaginal atrophy, bone loss, incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, weight gain, and glucose metabolism.
Solutions that translate emerging scientific research into practical interventions, including innovations targeting biological indicators of reproductive aging, molecular and cellular pathways, immune and inflammatory processes, and longevity.
- Applications Open
- November 04, 2026
- Submission Deadline
- February 10, 2027 at 11:59 PM EST
Who should apply?
Both early-stage ideas and developed solutions are eligible. This includes:
- ●Pre-seed and seed-stage ventures with validated prototypes or early clinical/market traction.
- ●Series A companies ready to scale or refine their offering.
- ●Later-stage growth companies that have launched an MVP, and open to mentorship and collaboration with Nestlé & Tufts.
- ●Entrepreneurs and students operating under legally established businesses
Solutions should demonstrate a credible scientific basis and some level of early validation. This may include preclinical or clinical evidence, peer-reviewed data, or proof-of-concept or early prototype results. The goal is to ensure that innovations have a sound foundation and can realistically benefit from the mentorship, resources, and networks provided by Tufts and Nestlé.
Ready to apply?
Start Your ApplicationBenefits for the winning venture
Visibility, mentorship, and
potential partnerships
Visibility & credibility
Build visibility for your venture through Tufts and FNII among leaders across science, industry, investment, and the food system.
A year inside the Innovation Council
Join the Food & Nutrition Innovation Council’s 150+ member innovation ecosystem, connecting with industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and potential collaborators.
Targeted mentorship with experts from Nestlé’s Nutrition & Health business
Up to six months of 1:1 mentorship tailored to the winning venture’s priorities and area of focus.
Pathways to collaboration
Build relationship with Nestlé's Nutrition & Health business and explore opportunities for research, pilots, partnerships, and other forms of collaboration.
Disclaimer: Participation does not guarantee a commercial relationship, investment, pilot, licensing arrangement or other partnership with Nestlé or Tufts.
Breadth of Mentorship
Access targeted perspectives from Nestlé experts to accelerate your growth.
The winning venture can customize a 1:1 mentorship engagement with Nestlé based on a breadth of growth challenges and the venture's area of focus.
Science & Evidence
Scientific validation • Evidence gaps • Clinical strategy
Consumer & Brand
Consumer insights • Positioning • Storytelling • Communications
Product & Scale
Formulation • Sensory • Ingredient qualification • Manufacturing
Go-to-Market & Distribution
Channels • Partnerships • Pricing • Market expansion
Regulatory & Claims
Claim substantiation • Regulatory pathways • Labeling
Venture & Business Strategy
Business model • Strategic roadmap • Fundraising • Scaling
INNOVATE FORWARD WINNERS
Past Winners & Testimonials
Innovate Forward is a global innovation challenge created through a partnership between the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute and Nestlé's Nutrition & Health business to accelerate solutions that advance women’s health. Our mission is to spotlight bold ideas and empower innovators developing new approaches to women’s health, from longevity to menopause.
About FNII
The Food and Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University aims to foster a robust, science-driven ecosystem of food, agricultural, and wellness innovation and entrepreneurship for a healthier, equitable, and sustainable food system.
FNII is hosted by the Friedman School, but brings together many schools at Tufts to seek out and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in these areas.
About Nestlé
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company.
Through its Nutrition & Health business, Nestlé brings together science, innovation and expertise across nutrition and health to help address evolving consumer and patient needs.
Partner With Us
Great ideas move forward together.
Innovation happens when great ideas meet strong partnerships. We welcome collaborators ready to drive solutions in women’s health, healthy aging, and the menopause transition.
Contact the Team