FemTech startup The Bettii Pod has raised £337,000 to further its mission of normalising and destigmatising menstruation while promoting sustainable menstrual practices.
Founded in 2021 by CEO Elaine Galston (pictured, centre) and based in Scotland, its innovative menstrual cup/disc washer is designed for installation within the cubicles of away from home toilets, addressing the practical challenges faced by users of reusable menstrual products.
The money will be used to take Bettii closer to commercial development and engage with the 15 million people who menstruate in the UK.
The investment was led by Edinburgh angel syndicate Equity Gap, with co-investment from Scottish Enterprise. Lifted Ventures introduced 12 angel investors to participate in the deal.
Lifted Ventures – a Leeds-based connector which aims to increase the flow of early-stage capital to female founders and promote the business benefits of backing women – brought expertise, connections and strategic guidance to the deal. Its co-founder Helen Oldham (left) and Jordan Dargue (right) featured on our 2024 Northern Leaders list.
“Lifted Ventures immediately understood the challenges our product addresses for women and recognised the potential of the market we’re targeting,” said Galston.
“Their members are more than investors – they bring invaluable networks and skillsets that are often difficult to secure. I’ve been hugely impressed by their enthusiasm, capability, and commitment, especially in encouraging more female investors into equity investing.”
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Dargue, who led the investment round, said: “It has been a pleasure to work to support Elaine, helping her now to further develop and take her product to market. We at Lifted Ventures know full well the challenges of being a female founder, multiplied by developing hardware, especially a blood-based femtech product.
“Supporting Bettii to realise their ambitions has been particularly satisfying, knowing that our women angel investors understand the product and the potential of it.”
Fraser Lusty, managing director of Equity Gap, added: “Equity Gap investors have been hugely impressed with Elaine and the proposal for The Bettii Pod and we are proud to have concluded the investment in this exciting and transformational Female Health tech business.
“The strength of this opportunity has enabled a first collaboration between Equity Gap and Lifted Ventures, creating a community of likeminded investors to support The Bettii Pod, as it develops.”