UAE-Based Femtech Startup Ovasave Raises US$1.2 Million Pre-Seed

Ovasave, a UAE-based femtech startup specializing in fertility and hormonal health, has secured US$1.2 million in a pre-seed funding round, with the investment coming from a mix of regional and global backers, led by early-stage venture capital (VC) firm PlusVC, UAE-based hybrid venture single-family office Annex Investments, and New York-based 25 Madison, alongside strategic angel investors and prominent family offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

Founded by Majd Abu Zant and Torkia Mahloul in 2023, Ovasave, based out of Abu Dhabi's Hub71 tech ecosystem, delivers a digital-first platform for women seeking fertility and hormonal health support. Its offerings span at-home hormone testing, virtual consultations, tailored supplement plans, and coordinated access to leading fertility clinics for egg freezing. The company also runs a growing corporate benefits program designed to help employers support reproductive health as part of their broader workplace wellbeing initiatives. 

In a conversation with Inc. Arabia, Mahloul and Abu Zant told us that the inspiration behind Ovasave was sparked by a desire to fill critical gaps in women’s reproductive health across the region. “On the consumer side, people are tracking their steps, their calories, their sleep—but hormones?" Mahloul, CEO of Ovasave, said. "Still overlooked. Most women think hormonal health is only relevant if a doctor brings it up. We’re changing that by making hormone testing easy, accessible, and something women feel empowered to do for themselves."

Mahloul also highlighted how outdated perceptions around fertility coverage continue to limit access. “On the insurance side, fertility benefits are still seen as a niche perk for a privileged few, not a mainstream necessity," she said. "That mindset is outdated. With the right structure, fertility care can be proactive, preventive, and affordable. We are proving that. At Ovasave, we sit at the intersection of all three: consumers, providers, and payers. Through digital tools, at-home testing, and a personalized care journey, we’re making reproductive and hormonal health easier to access, earlier to detect, and more relevant to women’s real lives. That’s the change we’re here to drive.” 

Beyond consumers and insurers, Mahloul noted that the healthcare system at large continues to be reactive, particularly when it comes to women’s health, whereas the need is in fact for more proactive interventions. “In the healthcare system, the focus is often on reactive treatment, stepping in only when there’s a problem," she pointed out. "What needs more attention is education, screening, and proactive care that actually improves outcomes and reduces burden on the system." To that end, Ovasave’s platform was purposefully built to move women’s care from reactive treatment to proactive support—offering accessible, cost-effective solutions aimed at improving health outcomes. By addressing an area that has long been taboo and overlooked, the platform simplifies access to hormonal and fertility care, making it easier for women to take charge of their well-being with confidence. 

According to Abu Zant, femtech is set to play a crucial role in accelerating that shift to proactive healthcare, noting that “the biggest transformation will come from integration, bridging femtech with traditional healthcare systems.” He added, “Right now, most of the patient journey still happens offline, inside clinics and hospitals. But tech can and will make care continuous, not episodic. Whether it’s at-home testing, digital triage, or AI-driven treatment protocols, femtech is positioned to close the gap between early detection and real treatment.” 

Abu Zant also pointed to a broader cultural shift already underway across the region. “Fertility, menopause, and hormonal health used to be private and often viewed as taboo subjects," he said. "Now, the conversation is moving out of the shadows and into the workplace, the media, and policymaking circles. In five years, I believe we’ll look back and realize that this was the moment women’s health stopped being siloed and started being treated as a public health priority. That cultural shift will drive everything, from better research to stronger regulation to more inclusive innovation.” 

In fact, Ovasave has made public education a central part of its mission, working to break the stigma around fertility through community outreach and strategic partnerships. The startup has hosted awareness events, expert-led discussions, and collaborations with healthcare professionals to encourage open dialogue around reproductive health. A notable example is its 2024 “Fertility Your Way” campaign in partnership with the regional arm of the pharmaceutical giant Merck KGaA, which provided free Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) screenings, a blood test used to assess a woman’s ovarian reserve and overall fertility health, to over 500 women across the UAE. Additionally, the company has teamed up with major employers such as Aldar, Boston Consulting Group, and WeWork to bring fertility awareness into workplace wellbeing programs. 

The co-founders told Inc. Arabia that the new investment is set to fuel Ovasave’s upcoming launch in Saudi Arabia this summer, marking the first step in its wider MENA expansion plan over the next three years. The funding will also enable the startup to scale its corporate partnerships and roll out the next phase of its mobile app, which will feature menstrual cycle tracking, symptom monitoring, integrated care access, and AI-powered treatment plans. In addition, Ovasave plans to expand its offerings to include more comprehensive support for perimenopause and menopause—stages of women’s health that have long been underserved.  

Ovasave co-founders Majd Abu Zant and Torkia Mahloul. Image courtesy Ovasave. 

One of the key challenges that the startup is seeing as it scales is the fragmentation of the region’s regulatory environment. “One challenge that’s often underestimated is the difference in the regulatory landscape across MENA,” Mahloul said. “You can’t assume what works in one country will apply in the next. Whether it’s registering a company, getting medical approvals, or importing health products, it’s not the same. The time and cost involved can sometimes slow you down, and in a startup environment where speed is everything, that’s a challenge.” 

Mahloul also stressed that because of the cultural sensitivity associated with women's reproductive health, the team is keen to observe the nuances unique to each country as it expands. “We are currently expanding into Saudi Arabia, and one of the first things we came to appreciate is that Saudi Arabia has its own unique rhythm and identity," she said. "While the broader region shares cultural threads, Saudi stands out with a largely homegrown economy, a strong local base, and is on a remarkable pace of transformation that is shaping a distinct future."

Mahloul thus emphasized that change starts with understanding the cultural context on the ground. “We know that fertility remains a taboo in many societies, not just in the Middle East, but there are specific cultural nuances in KSA that we’ve learned to navigate carefully," she explained. "That doesn’t mean shying away from the conversation. If anything, it reinforces why we’re here. Saudi women, like all women, deserve access to education, tools, and care, so we’ve been working with local content creators, storytellers, and medical partners who understand the culture and can speak to women authentically.” 

Mahloul added that, in Saudi Arabia particularly, fertility must be addressed through the lens of family. “The fertility conversation in KSA often sits within the broader context of family, and that’s powerful," Mahloul said. "Family is a core value, and as Saudi society evolves, there’s a real opportunity to help the younger generation approach family planning with more clarity and confidence than previous generations ever had.”  

Looking ahead, Abu Zant told Inc. Arabia that femtech is poised for major expansion in the Middle East’s healthcare future. “We’re just scratching the surface of what femtech can unlock in this region,” he said. “Over the next five years, I believe we’ll see the space expand far beyond fertility and period tracking into areas like menopause, pelvic health, chronic pain, sexual health, and more. The need has always been there; what’s changing now is visibility, awareness, and investor appetite.” 

Abu Zant also noted that while regional investors have historically leaned toward sectors like fintech and B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS), the investment landscape is now beginning to recognize the potential in femtech. “With the first wave of femtech startups gaining traction, there’s growing conviction that this isn’t a niche, but rather a massive opportunity." he said. "I expect we’ll see a lot more capital flowing into this space, especially as local success stories start to build momentum." 

To stay ahead in such a highly regulated and fast-evolving space, Mahloul emphasized the importance of adaptability and foresight. “Founders need to be ready for this from day one, and think creatively about how to move fast," Mahloul said. "Sometimes, it’s about launching in parallel markets or adapting your go-to-market strategy until the full setup is in place." For entrepreneurs entering the women’s health space, Mahloul believes success hinges less on ideas and more on who’s building them. “The hardest and most important part is building the right team," she said. "Not just smart people, or experienced people, but those who believe in what you’re doing, who are willing to dive in, take risks, and build with heart. Especially in women’s health, you need people who are mission-driven, not just resume-driven."

“We learned this the hard way," Mahloul added. "The product can evolve. The brand can pivot. But if the team isn’t aligned or invested, none of it sticks. So, spend as much time choosing your people as you do building your platform, as they’ll make or break it.” 

Pictured in the lead image are Ovasave co-founders Majd Abu Zant and Torkia Mahloul. Image courtesy Ovasave.