Organon and Flat6Labs Sign Major Partnership

Organon and Flat6Labs Partner on Major Healthcare Initiative: Second Phase of Women's Health Innovation Acceleration Program Launches Organon, a global healthcare company dedicated to advancing women's health, announced with satisfaction the start of the second phase of its Women's Health Innovation Acceleration Program in partnership with Flat6Labs, the leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm in the MENA region. The partnership aims to strengthen digital health startups with solutions to improve women's health across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region. Building on the success of the initial pilot phase and positive results achieved across the region, the second phase of the program will focus on advancing women's health through digital health initiatives in the MENAT region. The second phase of the Women's Health Innovation Acceleration Program, conducted through the Organon and Flat6Labs partnership, will concentrate on three themes: "Family Planning," "Pregnancy Planning," and "Women's Healthy Living." Under "Family Planning," the initiative will work on technologies that develop controlled reproductive health counseling and education, as well as raising awareness about tools and options in this area. "Pregnancy Planning" will focus on solutions for psychological support and counseling in IVF treatment. "Women's Healthy Living" will address innovations in personal care and maternal care, early disease diagnosis, and menstrual health. The general objective of this acceleration program is to address specific challenges women in the region face regarding their health by seeking sustainable and long-term solutions. The focus will be on identifying and supporting digital solutions that can help improve access to healthcare services for women, empower individuals, and enhance overall quality of healthy living, ultimately advancing women's health in the identified areas. The program taking place this year targets startups operating in various countries including Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Organon and Flat6Labs have offices in most of these countries and maintain local partnerships in these geographies. This partnership aims to accelerate the growth of 15 selected startups, facilitate engagement with diverse stakeholders, and train startups ready to address existing challenges in women's health. Additionally, the program will include virtual and in-person community events such as information sessions, roadshows, pitchathons, and webinars to strengthen social support, discovery and selection efforts.

The expanded content of the program's second phase is as follows;

- In-depth Training: Startups will receive specialized business and technical training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. - Mentoring and Guidance: Participants will benefit from mentorship provided by experts in this field, connecting with a broad network that includes local and international mentors, investors, and companies. - Stakeholder Access: Startups will have unique opportunities to access key stakeholders, enhance their visibility, and build valuable connections within the sector. - Regional Business Support: Access to a regional business support network will be provided and market expansion will be supported.

Ramy Koussa, Leader of Organon Middle East North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), commented on the second phase of the program:

"Every investment in women's health delivers positive return on investment (ROI): from this perspective, approximately USD 3 of economic growth is projected for every USD 1 invested. Investment in improving women's health not only enhances women's quality of life but also enables them to take a more active role in the workforce and secure their livelihoods. The launch of the second phase of the Women's Health Innovation Acceleration Program represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to improving women's health in the MENAT region. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Flat6Labs and to continue listening to the needs of women, identifying innovative solutions that promote better and healthier living every day. The beginning of this second phase is proof of our continued commitment to collaboration in digital health services, innovation, and strengthening women-led initiatives.

Yehia Houry, Program Director at Flat6Labs, commented on the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs and advancing women's health services, saying:

"We are excited to launch the second phase of the Women's Health Innovation Acceleration Program and to strengthen our support for entrepreneurs shaping the future of women's health services. This initiative is not only about innovation, but about empowering visionary minds to create long-term impact. Our ongoing partnership with Organon and the evolving focus of this phase reiterate our commitment to developing a dynamic ecosystem for women-led initiatives. Together, we aim to revolutionize healthcare by addressing the unmet needs of women in the MENAT region." During the first phase of the acceleration program, we witnessed remarkable successes of three startups that stood out and were announced as winners at the end of the program: "OMGYNO," founded by Doreen Toutikian and Elisabeth Milini in Greece and Lebanon; "Siira," founded by Sandra Salame in Lebanon; and "Maternally," founded by Yasmin El Mouallem in the UAE. These visionary companies not only demonstrated innovation and excellence but also became integral parts of the startup ecosystem. Their invaluable insights, experience, and achievements will serve as a guide for new startup cohorts, enrich the program with their expertise, and contribute to the program's continued success.