Healthtech startup Cyprio won the European Women Startup Challenge, announced last night in Paris by Women Who Tech. As a reward for its groundbreaking biomedical technology, Cyprio received an equity-free $50,000 cash grant to scale the business.
Based in Paris, the startup is redefining 3D cell research and tissue engineering, developing better predictive research tools for testing drug efficacy and toxicity in the human liver. The proprietary technology is called “BioPearl,” and it allows users to create 3D cellular models of human tissue.
The event aims to raise the profile and accelerate the growth of women-led healthtech startups, which have received just 9.7 percent of VC digital health funding since 2011. Women Who Tech is a nonprofit that provides capital, mentoring, access to top investors, and other resources to female tech entrepreneurs who fall on the other side of the funding gap.
Noushin Dianat, CEO and co-founder of Cyprio commented: “I am so grateful to the jury, JLABS, and Women Who Tech for their support of the pitch process, and to the Mayor of Paris for organising the event. The prize is so meaningful to me for the recognition it brings to women-led companies. I truly appreciate what Women Who Tech does to help normalise the culture of being a founder and a woman.”
The founder of Women Who Tech spoke about the organisation’s mission and Cyprio’s win: “Women Who Tech is shaking up a culture and economy that’s made it exceedingly challenging for women-led startups to raise capital. We’re thrilled to award the grand prize to Cyprio who is revolutionising the tissue engineering field so more patients waiting for liver transplants will survive.”
The Women Startup Challenge is supported by Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, the office of the Mayor of Paris, Rad Campaign, Pineapple Fund, Google, Donna Griffit Storyteller, Spool, and V3 Broadsuite, among others.
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