MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Dr Shona D’Arcy, Entrepreneurship Lead Lead, EIT Health (Ireland-UK)
Dr. Shona D’Arcy has been working in AI and digital health for nearly 20 years at all stages of the innovation lifecycle, including prototyping and developing research into real-world applications to clinical validation of med tech devices. Shona has previous startup experience selling into the NHS and Irish healthcare systems as an Entrepreneurship Lead for EIT Health. Shona is leveraging her network and experience to support startups in accessing opportunities across the EU. EIT Health is a network of best-in-class health innovators backed by the EU. We initiate projects to address problems with solutions -whether that is a new type of diagnostic, a device, or therapy that can help to better manage a disease or infrastructure to improve the organisation of care. We bring the right people together to turn ideas into commercially viable products and services.
Valentina Milanova, founder and CEO of Daye
Valentina Milanova is the founder and CEO of Daye, a company dedicated to advancing gynaecological health through innovative products and research. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Milanova moved to the UK to pursue higher education at the University of Buckingham, where she earned degrees in Business, Economics, and Law. She later obtained a Master’s in International and Trade Law and specialized in Food and Drug Law from Harvard Law School. Valentina holds multiple medical device patents, and her research has been published in the Journal of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders, The Journal of Molecular Sciences, and The Journal of Human Reproduction. Daye is a female-founded gynae health startup on a mission to close the gender health gap for good. They started out with the invention of the world’s first pain-relieving tampon, designed to support the 90% of women who experience menstrual cramps. After helping over 100,000 patients individuals kick period pain to the curb, they launched their second-generation tampon to facilitate the at-home detection of vaginal infections, STIs and HPV. In addition, they’ve developed a virtual Period Pain Clinic aimed at speeding up the diagnosis of conditions associated with period pain (e.g., endometriosis) and the creation of personalised pain management plans for individual patients, combining pharmaceutical and holistic treatments. The company successfully raised £4.23 million in seed funding and later secured £10 million in Series A funding to support its growth.
Marina Rigau, PhD, CEO and co-founder of MIMARK Diagnostics, S.L.
Marina has over 15 years of experience in biomedical research across academia and the biotech sector. She has dedicated her scientific career to translational research in cancer diagnostics using biological fluids, contributing to over 25 peer-reviewed publications and holding two patents. MiMARK Diagnostics SL is a pioneering biotechnology startup dedicated to advancing women’s health through groundbreaking in vitro diagnostic solutions. Located in Barcelona, MiMARK specializes in the development of diagnostic tests for gynecological malignancies, with a particular focus on endometrial cancer. Their innovative approach uses gynecological fluid as a liquid biopsy medium, aiming to revolutionize the diagnosis and management of gynecological cancers.
Marta Maiques Valls, Project Manager at AFAEMME
Marta has over 15 years of experience in communication strategy, social media, marketing, and managing deep tech projects within European initiatives. She supports AFAEMME’s international and national projects in deep tech, empowerment, and digital skills for entrepreneurs and businesswomen, overseeing dissemination and leading specific actions in communication and project management.
AFAEMME, the Association of Organizations of Mediterranean Businesswomen, was founded in Barcelona (Spain) in 2002 and currently includes 63 member organizations from 24 Mediterranean countries. AFAEMME coordinates European and Mediterranean business and gender equality projects, conducts groundbreaking research, serves as a networking platform for women entrepreneurs, and acts as a Euro-Mediterranean lobby advocating for increased representation of women in economic decision-making positions. Currently, AFAEMME is one of the partner companies for the Women TechEU – a two-year EU-funded project supporting women leading deep tech startup companies from Europe.
Moderated by Marija Butkovic, founder and CEO of Women of Wearables, EIC Jury Member, and Anja Streicher, CMO of Women of Wearables, EIC Jury Member
