WoW Woman in FemTech | Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Executive Director, and Podcast Host of FemTech Focus
Interview by MarijaButkovic
Dr. Brittany Barreto is an unconventional serial entrepreneur that proves that anything is possible with hard work and heart. While finishing her Ph.D. in genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, Brittany became the CEO and Co-Founder of the revolutionary dating app Pheramor. The ambitious venture was the first nationwide DNA-based dating app to hit the market, reaching an eager audience that resulted in 50% growth, month over month. Brittany was also successful in fundraising $1.3 million for her startup, her founder’s journey took a pivot three years later when she embarked on a new path as the Senior Venture Associate at Capital Factory, a notable innovation player in Texas. Under her leadership, the Houston accelerator portfolio grew by an impressive 205%. It was also during this time that Brittany realized that Houston needed more former-founder mentors like herself to help usher in the next generation of Femtech startups. Dr. Brittany Barreto now has her sights on advancing the Femtech community through her latest world-changing venture - FemTech Focus.
Brittany, what is the idea behind FemTech Focus and how did you come up with it?
FemTech Focus (FTF) is a 501C3 nonprofit with a mission to be the go-to resource for anyone interested in the Femtech industry. From grooming startup companies, funding all women research labs, to normalizing boardroom discussion around women's reproductive solutions, FTF sets to revolutionize women’s health and wellness options. At FemTech Focus, we define Femtech as any technology, product, or service that improves female or women's health and wellness. While working as a venture capitalist I came across the Femtech industry and was so excited by it.
The three reasons I love Femtech are:
1. I love science. It’s science-based and as a Genealogist turned CEO, science is a part of my everyday DNA.
2. It’s an activist move and I love standing up for women.
3. The opportunities for financial gain in the women's health space is incredible.
I started FemTech Focus after realizing there was no Femtech podcast, no Femtech accelerator, and no Femtech venture fund. These are critical pieces to moving an industry forward, so that's what we're doing.
When did all start and do you have other members in your team?
I've been preaching about the importance of investing in vulvas for over two years but FemTech Focus was officially formed in early 2020. We have ten incredible and diverse team members, spanning three generations, starting with our co-founder, Dr. Julie Hakim. We work alongside the leadership team that includes Tina Amber, Alley Goodroad, and Sahar Paz, and we are all grateful to the skills of Su, Mariana, Kala, Sangi, and Bin Huang who bring it all to life.
How long did it take you to be where you are now?
Everything I've ever done has brought me to where I am now. I sold sex toys in college which fits into the sexual wellness aspect of Femtech. I have a Ph.D. in genetics which allows me to critically analyze healthcare startups. I am a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist which allows me to consult startups and invest capital into them. Just as the genes in the genome make up the whole organism, each experience I’ve had has built upon each other and led me to be the Executive Director of FemTech Focus.
Oh and I've also always had a vagina so the women's health and wellness experience is a life-long personal one!
What was the biggest obstacle?
Developing a sustainable business model during a pandemic. Startups don't have a lot of money, to begin with, but now are holding their pennies closer than ever (as they should). Corporate budgets for sponsoring and donating have frozen. I have lots of faith though that we will crack the revenue code and continue to grow and expand. The market and the founders that make up this group have proven that there is a need for Femtech in the SHE-economy set to reach $50B by 2025.
What are your biggest achievements to date?
I have a core value to use the scientific method to make business decisions, which has grounded me and allowed me to stay true to myself. This is challenging for any human, especially one who did not come from money and has recovered from PTSD. This perspective also proved powerful when I was the CEO of Pheramor and I pivoted a closing into an opportunity to be a venture capitalist who increased the Houston startup portfolio by 162%. I hold my head up high about a lot of things as you can see, most recently it is the team we’ve cultivated at FemTech Focus.
What are the challenges of being an entrepreneur in the niche you are in? How about being a female founder/entrepreneur?
One challenge is convincing people Femtech is not a niche. 51% of the population is female! Other than that, the challenges I face include getting investors comfortable with me saying the words breast, clitoris, and women's sexual wellness without them being shocked or tuning me out. I've experienced challenges as a female founder in the past, when fundraising for my last startup, investors thought I was the secretary instead of the CEO walking into the pitch. I solved this issue by showing up to pitches in my lab coat that read "Dr. Barreto Founder, CEO Pheramor" on it. No one questioned who I was after that. Get creative ladies, don’t let the bias you may face one day hold you back from working today.
What are the projects you are currently working on?
FemTech Focus is developing a curriculum for a 12-week virtual health tech accelerator for digital health, medical devices, and therapeutics that improve women’s health and wellness. This program is launching in 2021. We can’t build an accelerator without planning a raise for our venture fund to put our money where our mouth is - the industry cannot move forward without financial backing so we are doing our part to create a movement. Moreover, we will be one of the first investors in the space and anticipate fantastic returns. The part of my work that brings me great joy is growing the FemTech Focus podcasts, we aren’t even 6 months old and have subscribers in over 45 countries! Every continent except Antarctica but we are positive a researcher there will one day give us a listen to learn about Femtech.
Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?
Yes, it's very important to me, personally and professionally.
WIthout women in tech, we likely won't get tech made for women. Products are made for men as the primary customer and then adapted to women. This mindset has left women-centered design completely out of the picture. Women are not just little men. We deserve technology specifically calibrated for our biology and lifestyles. Having more women in tech increases the chances of women-centered design not being an afterthought.
What is the most important piece of advice you can give to all female founders and female entrepreneurs out there?
Most of the success and progress you make in entrepreneurship is due to relationships with others. Always be a good person. Remember the community is smaller than you think. Continue to be curious, humble, helpful, and thoughtful and the universe will provide.
What will be the key trends in the health tech and fem tech industry in the next 5 years and where do you see it heading?
The word Femtech will be mainstream and we won't need to define is every time we say it (people currently still think it means female founders or think I said 'fintech'). We will see more Femtech-specific venture funds and startup development organizations. We will see dozens of Femtech exits with several being unicorns. My hope is that by 2025 Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Ellen Degeneres have all said the word 'Femtech' publically.
Who are your 3 inspirational women in health tech and fem tech?
Hands down, the co-founder of FemTech Focus, Dr. Julie Hakim. I also have to name, Sarah Weddington, a lawyer for Roe vs Wade. Lastly, Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) was the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and the first to publish a medical article. Her publication focused on the differences in how women would treat their patients compared to men. After earning her degree, Blackwell became an advocate for women in the medical field.
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn!
This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship and diversity. Follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic.