Venture capital and private equity firms have been investing over $1B in women’s health since 2021. In 2025, VC and PE pulled back their investments by about $1.2B. However, 2026 is shaping up to be a rebound year. The question is, where are these firms most bullish? Here’s a look at what’s happened so far and what the trends tell us.
Why the Dip in 2025?
Market experts attribute the dip in VC and PE funding to a focus on care delivery and therapeutics. There was a lot of hype around AI investments in 2024. While investors and healthcare experts remain very optimistic about the implications of artificial intelligence in women’s health, other healthcare verticals didn’t benefit from the AI hype in 2025 compared to the year prior.
In 2024, many investors believed that the rising tide of AI would raise adjacent women’s health verticals. While that may prove to be true, recent trends indicate a focus on more stable growth.
Women’s health companies that are AI-first have experienced soaring valuations, and they continue to perform well in 2026. Startups using artificial intelligence to personalize care have average valuations that are roughly triple those of non-AI counterparts.
Looking ahead, experts expect a rebound in total women’s health funding and deal volume throughout this year. Since 2019, at least 210 new startups focusing exclusively on women’s health challenges have been launched.
Priority Investments in 2026
VC and PE firm investments in women’s health are grouped into one of four large categories, which are:
Healthtech
Healthtech remains one of the top investment priorities in 2026. Investors are backing startups and platforms that put AI at the center of the technology. These tools can lead to improved access, personalized care, and better clinical decision-making, all of which promote improved patient outcomes. Virtual care for conditions specific to women is also a major priority.
Biopharma
Biopharma remains another major focus as investors seek therapies for conditions that have long lacked effective treatment options. Funding continues to flow toward companies developing drugs for endometriosis, reproductive health, and hormone health. Tackling these issues head-on is a priority for investors and healthcare professionals.
Diagnostic Tools
Early detection and prevention have become two of the most important priorities for the healthcare industry. VC and PE firms are investing heavily in diagnostic tools and the startups that create them. AI-assisted imaging and other technologies that decrease the risk of missed diagnoses are gaining momentum.
Medical Devices
Medical devices represent the fourth-largest investment category for 2026. Venture capital and private equity firms are funding innovations in minimally invasive procedures, pelvic health, and reproductive care. Wearable monitoring technology represents a major sub-category that makes health data more accessible and accurate.
Which Diseases Are Receiving the Most Funding?
It’s reasonable to assume that the diseases that cause the largest burden on patients and the healthcare system would receive the most funding. Sometimes, that assumption proves true, and sometimes it does not.
For example, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders rank highly in terms of disease burden and investment funding. On the other hand, chronic kidney disease and diabetes rank highly in terms of disease burden, but they receive less funding. Mental disorders continue to be a high-funding disease class for VC and PE firms investing in women’s health issues.
Experts have found that diseases with the highest patient populations and lowest investments tend to attract more venture capital funding. Women’s health concerns typically attract more money if those conditions also impact men because the patient population is much larger compared to women-specific conditions, such as breast cancer.
Applying These Insights to the Back Half of 2026
Artificial intelligence isn’t going back in the box, which means it needs to be part of your technology strategy going forward. Incorporating AI into your plan can also help your organization acquire investments from PE and VC firms. Use these funding trends to better anticipate emerging technologies and deliver a higher quality of care to your female patient population.
