Breast Cancer Research Foundation launches $100M venture philanthropy fund 🎗️
BCRF has unveiled a $100M venture philanthropy fund that will invest in early-stage startups advancing breast cancer diagnostics, targeted therapies and immuno-oncology - with any returns recycled back into the fund. Announced at the Clinton Global Initiative, the fund is seeded by an $11M donation from Karen and Rob Hale and a surprise $12M bequest from an unknown donor, with the remaining $77M to be raised over five years. Its first investment is in Clarity Inc., whose AI platform analyses mammograms to detect cancer and predict five-year risk. BCRF is targeting a portfolio of 20 to 30 companies, with the first new cheques expected in early 2027.
“There are probably donors who would be as excited or more to fund this than traditional philanthropy. It’s appealing [to them] that this fund could be evergreen and could be able to continue funding new initiatives over and over again.”
— Donna McKay, President & CEO, Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Estée Lauder commits $15M to BCRF to launch global research initiative on breast cancer in younger women 🎀
The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation has committed $15M over five years to BCRF to establish the Global Research Initiative on Breast Cancer in Younger Women - described as the largest coordinated global research effort of its kind. Breast cancer diagnoses among women under 45 rose 11% between 2012 and 2022, yet just 0.6% of breast cancer research funding since 2020 has been directed at younger women. Women diagnosed before 40 are nearly 40% more likely to die from the disease. The partnership extends a 30-year relationship between the Estée Lauder Companies and BCRF, during which more than $123M has been committed.
“The Estée Lauder Companies has a longstanding commitment to advancing breast cancer research, and I know my mother, Evelyn H. Lauder, would be so proud to see us carry her vision forward. Through this donation, we can expand our understanding of breast cancer in younger women, an area where there is still much to learn.”
— William P. Lauder, Chair of the Board of Directors, Estée Lauder Companies & Co-Chair, BCRF
Teal Health raises $22M Series A to scale at-home cervical cancer screening 🔬
San Francisco-based Teal Health has closed a $22M Series A led by .406 Ventures, with Emerson Collective, Forerunner, Labcorp, Serena Ventures and new investor MPower Partners participating, bringing total funding to $45M. The company is betting that cervical cancer screening doesn't require a speculum or a clinic visit - its FDA-authorised at-home HPV self-collection device is now moving beyond early adopters and into broader healthcare channels.
“We designed Teal for all women, whether they are behind on their screening or coming due. This funding allows us to scale to meet the demand of patients and providers. It’s clear this option is preferred by women and now we can ensure everyone has a way to stay healthy.”
— Kara Egan, CEO & Co-Founder, Teal Health
Bird&Be raises $13M to scale its both-partners approach to fertility 🥚
Toronto-based fertility brand Bird&Be has raised $13M co-led by BDC Thrive and BFG Partners, with Bam Ventures, Founder Collective, Rejuvenation Ventures and HSR Ventures also participating. Founded in 2021 by Samantha Diamond and Breanna Hughes after their own fertility struggles, Bird&Be sells at-home fertility tests and supplements for both partners - an approach built on the premise that "male fertility is a feminist issue." The company hit eight figures in revenue within its first three years and is now growing nearly 100% year over year, with 85% of sales direct-to-consumer and close to 75% of those on subscription.
Blair Health raises $4.24M CAD pre-seed to bring specialist-grade women's care to generalist providers 🏥
Toronto-based Blair Health has closed a $4.24M CAD pre-seed co-led by BDC Thrive, Accelia Capital and Ogaei, with support from the Ontario Centre of Innovation. Its AI-powered platform encodes specialist expertise in perimenopause, menopause, pelvic health and nutrition - enabling generalist nurse practitioners and family physicians to deliver specialist-level virtual care without the wait. Blair has 2,300 active users across every Canadian province and six US states, and is now accelerating expansion across Canada and into the US.
“The fundamental problem in healthcare today is that the traditional model for delivering specialist care doesn’t scale. The clinical infrastructure we are building enables specialist expertise to reach far more patients, particularly in areas of medicine where backlogs are greatest and subspecialists are scarce.”
— Madge Rumman, Co-Founder & CEO, Blair Health
