How to Build Wealth with Purpose in 2025
The Key Pillars for Success in Women’s Health Investing
Impact investing isn’t about giving up returns. It’s about leveraging your wealth to drive change while uncovering new opportunities for growth. In today’s article, discover how you can achieve financial success and create meaningful impact by investing in women’s health.
Welcome to the latest issue of the Femmehealth Ventures Publication—your trusted source for insightful analysis of femtech innovations through an investor's lens, helping you identify the latest opportunities in women's health technology.
In this edition, we cover:
The myth of trade-offs in impact investing
Key pillars for success in women’s health investing
The business case for investing in women’s health
Actionable steps for getting started
The Myth of Trade-offs in Impact Investing
Most people think you have to sacrifice financial returns to invest with purpose.
Well…this is partly true.
Let me explain.
Impact investors sometimes face higher costs and longer timelines. For example, small, niche projects can have transaction costs twice those of traditional private equity. (World Economic Forum 2021).
And sometimes, impact investors willingly accepting below-market returns. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) found that 18% of impact investors prioritise social or environmental outcomes over risk-adjusted returns (2022).
And so the real question is: do you have to accept below-market financial returns to invest with purpose?
The answer is no.
Could your impact investments create real change while delivering market returns?
Yes, it can. And here’s how.
Key Pillars for Success in Women’s Health Investing
In her late twenties, Stasia Obremsky’s career took an unexpected turn. She left behind the fast-paced world of Wall Street and Harvard Business School to follow her husband to Bangkok. There, she found herself working with Mechai Viravaidya, famously known as the “Condom King of Thailand.”
Her job was to analyse the devastating economic impact of the AIDS epidemic on the Thai economy, a crisis deeply tied to the vulnerabilities of women in rural communities.
This work profoundly shaped her view of the world. Stasia saw firsthand how empowering women with tools to manage their fertility and access better health options could unleash untapped potential—not just for individuals, but for entire communities and economies.
She carried this lesson into her philanthropy and, eventually, her investments, as she believed that lifting up women required not only grants but bold, creative deployment of capital.
That belief came full circle in 2018, when she met Ruth Shaber, a philanthropist focused on women’s health. Together, they identified a glaring gap: women’s health innovation needed equity dollars, not just philanthropy. This realisation gave rise to RH Capital, a venture fund aimed at transforming women’s health and improving health equity in the U.S.
When launching the fund, their team faced a daunting question: Is there even a pipeline of viable opportunities in women’s health? Their proof-of-concept fund answered this question with a resounding yes, deploying USD 5 million across six investments and proving the ecosystem was not only growing but rich with potential.
Stasia and her team succeeded by prioritising systemic change and transformative innovations. They embraced an “impact-first” lens but adhered to venture capital’s financial discipline, ensuring selectivity and measurable outcomes. As a result, RH Capital built the largest portfolio of women’s health companies in the U.S., spanning diagnostics, digital health, and life sciences—delivering both financial returns and societal impact.
The lesson? Selectivity and due diligence are critical.
You don’t need to compromise returns for impact if you approach it strategically.
The Business case for Investing in Women’s Health
Women fuel economies more so today than ever.
Women comprise 47.7% of the global workforce and drive USD $28 trillion in annual global GDP. This is the equivalent of the combined economies of the U.S. and China. (McKinsey Global Institute, 2023).
In the U.S., women control USD $10 trillion in financial assets, a figure expected to triple by 2030, and women make 85% of all consumer purchasing decisions. Beyond paid labour, women perform 75% of unpaid caregiving globally, valued at an astounding USD $10.9 trillion annually (BMJ, 2021). Women’s economic influence has never been greater, but health-related challenges threaten to limit their potential.
Health challenges specific to women create substantial economic losses. For example, untreated menopausal symptoms cost USD $1.8 billion annually in lost workdays in the U.S., while anxiety and depression, which are twice as prevalent in women, cost USD $1 trillion in global lost productivity each year (Forbes, 2023, WHO, 2022).
Meanwhile, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, which affect 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 women, respectively, further exacerbate these losses. Studies show women with PCOS experience up to 60% more workplace absenteeism, and endometriosis-related pain accounts for nearly 11 hours of lost productivity per week (Contemporary OB/GYN, 2023).
Despite the massive toll these conditions take, only 4% of healthcare R&D focuses on women’s health (Fairgrove Partners, 2023). Addressing these gaps through innovation could unlock billions in economic productivity.
Eighty percent of founders of women’s health companies are women, and women-led companies consistently outperform men-led businesses.
Women-led companies deliver 35% higher ROI and achieve 63% higher valuations than their male-led counterparts (Fast Company, 2023). Yet, female founders receive just 2.1% of venture capital funding, highlighting an overlooked investment opportunity (Crunchbase, 2023).
Women’s health innovations represent a $500 billion annual market (1) for medical expenses, driven by female consumers seeking better solutions for reproductive health, menopause, and chronic conditions.
For investors, this sector offers a rare combination of high returns and societal impact. By tapping into this underserved market, you can align your financial goals with meaningful change.
Actionable Steps for Getting Started with Women’s Health Investing
Building wealth with purpose doesn’t automatically mean sacrificing returns. You just need a clear, actionable strategy. Here’s how you can begin:
Review your goals, values, and preferences.
Start by reflecting on what matters most to you. What causes or industries do you care about? How do you want your wealth to impact the world? This clarity will help guide your investment decisions and align your portfolio with your values.
To make this process easier, I have developed a simple framework that helps you prioritise what’s important to your investment goals. You can access it [here]. Use it to identify your key values, define your objectives, and outline your risk preferences.
Remember, your priorities may evolve over time. Revisit this review periodically to ensure your investments stay aligned with your goals and the impact you wish to create.
Review your portfolio with your investment advisor.
Sit down with your advisor to evaluate your current portfolio and identify areas for reallocation. Depending on your risk tolerance and investment objectives, you might consider dedicating 5–10% of your assets to emerging frontiers like women’s health or health tech.
Focus on sectors that address unmet needs and are primed to scale, such as diagnostics, digital health, or biotech solutions. For more insights, check out our detailed post where we explore trends we anticipate will continue in 2025.
Join networks.
Expand your knowledge and connections by joining communities like the Angel Academy.
These networks bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by their passion for angel investing and women’s health. Through events, resources, and peer networking, you can learn from seasoned investors in this rapidly growing space.
By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to aligning your wealth with your values and building a portfolio that not only delivers returns but also creates meaningful impact.
Here’s Why You Should Start Now
Investing in women’s health isn’t just an ethical choice. It’s a smart financial decision.
Women’s health innovations address unmet needs in a market projected to reach USD $68 billion by 2030.
Targeted investments in this space can diversify your portfolio and may offer resilient returns.
The takeaway?
Selectivity, focus, and collaboration can transform impact investing into a competitive strategy. Your portfolio can grow wealth and drive meaningful change.
Ready to Learn How to Invest With Purpose?
Join us in the Angel Academy, launching in early 2025. This program is designed to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and community you need to navigate the world of impact investing. With limited slots available, this is your chance to:
Gain insights into emerging sectors like women’s health and femtech.
Learn how to conduct due diligence on high-potential startups.
Connect with a network of like-minded investors driven by impact and financial returns.
Apply today and secure your spot.
Warmly,
Maryann
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References
(1) Based on multiple analyses, including global healthcare spending data from the World Bank and sector-specific reports from Frost & Sullivan and McKinsey, women’s health innovations collectively represent a market opportunity that could exceed $500 billion annually when factoring in all healthcare spending for conditions that disproportionately or exclusively affect women.
Disclaimer
The content in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or medical advice. Opinions expressed are those of the author and may not reflect the views of affiliated organizations. Readers should seek professional advice tailored to their individual circumstances before making decisions. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.