WoW Woman in FemTech I Katrin Reuter, founder and CEO of trackle
Katrin Reuter is the founder and CEO of trackle, a medically certified, hormone-free contraceptive system that digitalises the symptothermal method with scientific precision. Originally a political scientist, she became one of Germany’s leading cycle experts after realising that the ideal contraceptive method did not yet exist—and deciding to build it herself. Her vision was clear: a natural, non-invasive solution rooted in robust scientific evidence and empowered by digital technology to remove barriers for women. Since launching trackle, she has transformed the landscape of cycle tracking and contraceptive innovation, receiving widespread recognition for her work.
Reuter has won multiple national awards, including first place at the Rheinland Pitch Finale (2016), the Rheingold Startup-Pitch (2018), and several innovation prizes such as “Gründer des Jahres” (2022). She was named one of the “25 Women Whose Inventions Will Change Our Lives” by Edition F and has repeatedly led trackle to category wins—among them the F.A.Z. Kaufkompass test winner (2024 and 2025) and the Vergleich.org award for best fertility tracker (2025). Her work bridges medicine, women’s health, and digital innovation, driven by a passion for empowering women to understand their bodies and make informed choices. Based in Bonn, she continues to advocate for evidence-based, feminist health tech that improves everyday life for people with cycles.
trackle is a certified Class IIb medical device that enables safe, hormone-free contraception by digitalising the symptothermal method — the only scientifically recognised natural family planning method recommended by the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). The tampon-sized vaginal sensor automatically measures core body temperature during sleep and pairs with an intuitive app that evaluates cervical mucus, providing clear daily fertility insights. Designed for real-life rhythms, shift work, irregular sleep patterns, and changing life phases, trackle combines medical precision with effortless usability.
Tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.
Before joining trackle, I worked as a consultant for software and web projects at an agency, so I had experience with digitalization and software development. Originally, I studied political science and musicology, and I ended up writing on the then-nascent "Internet."
How did you get into this industry? Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?
Developing our trackle sensor system was completely new territory for me – I had never dealt with electrical engineering, medical technology, or manufacturing processes before. Fortunately, I met many people along the way who were very knowledgeable in these fields and were happy to share their expertise.
How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in?
The company "trackle" was founded 10 years ago. We now successfully sell our hormone-free contraceptive in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in several other European countries. The biggest challenge, as in all small, dynamic companies, has been a lack of resources. There's always too little money, too little time, and too few people. The lack of money is always the most critical, because money can compensate for the other shortcomings.
What are your biggest achievements to date?
We are proud that our original idea of safe, hormone-free contraception has now become a reality for tens of thousands of women across Europe. And we are delighted every day by the positive feedback we receive about our product.
What are the projects you are currently working on?
We are constantly working on and improving our sensor system – currently, we are focusing on the connection between menstruation and exercise and are trying to offer our customers a new user experience in this area. We are also looking forward to being available in more European countries soon.
Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why?
Yes, because it has consistently provided visibility for years – women need to organize themselves and constantly draw attention to themselves, otherwise they will disappear from the radar of this industry.
What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?
Medical technology is moving more slowly than other industries due to increasing regulation, yet it is particularly dependent on developments in the field of artificial intelligence. This is a major balancing act, and I'm eager to see how the industry will resolve it.
What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?
Find the right experts and keep asking questions until you understand everything you need to make a decision.
Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?
Ida Tin, Dame Lesley Regan, Dr. Mandy Mangler
If you want to share your story with us and be featured on our WoW Women blog, get in touch.