The following is a summary of the CBC news article, Waterloo woman draws on experience with cervical cancer for startup idea.
Rachel Bartholomew (MBET '14) took home $25,000 for her startup, HyIvy Health, at Communitech's Fierce Founders Finale, last week. HyIvy is making a difference in sexual rehabilitation for women with pelvic diseases and cancers. The suite of sexual rehabilitation products that HyIvy Health helps women's sexual recovery after diagnosis, treatment and/or surgery.
The smart device developed by HyIvy Health provides real time information from over eight different sensors and five different mechanical functions that allow the patient to have a comfortable sexual recovery.
Having battled cervical cancer herself, Rachel saw the need for change in the outdated desgin of a vaginal dialator. According to the CBC article written early this week, Rachel has come a long way since pitching the idea in a doctor's appointment. Since then, Rachel has developed a new design that is intended to help women who are dealing with scar tissue, and lack of muscle tension.
The following quote is from the CBC news article:
"The idea earned her second place in a recent pitch competition for women founders at Communitech. The prize was $25,000, which Bartholomew said she plans to use to pay for travel and other expenses related to fundraising"
Click here to learn more about HyIvy Health.