The participants selected for the second edition of Women in Action, LifeGate Way's acceleration programme, have been announced: let's get to know them.
Women in Action is a programme promoted by LifeGate Way to support innovative startups led by women. Free to access and with no equity requirements, it is designed for women of any age and background who want to drive change in the field of environmental and social sustainability, thereby fostering female entrepreneurship in Italy. Following the success of the first edition, in 2025 the programme returns with an updated format but the same mission: to provide students, entrepreneurs and founders with the tools they need to develop and grow their ideas.
The initiative is open to startups founded by women or with a predominantly female presence on the team, groups of students, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the early stages of their journey. The only requirement is the creation of innovative solutions focused on sustainability. The programme accompanies these realities from the design phase through to market launch, offering practical tools to turn ideas into solid businesses and strengthening transferable skills. On 12 March, the participants in this new edition of Women in Action were announced: let's get to know them.
In the medtech innovation landscape, AllStent stands out for developing digital twin solutions applied to interventional cardiology. Digital twin refers to processes that reduce material waste by enabling simulations during the design phase and testing functions before moving to a prototype. The company has developed artificial intelligence-based tools to support pre-procedural planning and clinical decision-making, ensuring the selection of the most suitable stent in Tevar treatments: these are minimally invasive treatments for aortic conditions such as aneurysms, dissections or traumatic lesions. Thanks to this advanced technology, the startup helps reduce surgical risks and improve recovery outcomes for patients.
A factory can process hundreds of tonnes of sugarcane every day. Yet from 100 tonnes of cane, it often yields fewer than 10 tonnes of refined sugar — a surprisingly small amount. Everything that remains is bagasse, the fibrous residue left over from processing, which piles up near the plant. If we consider that this is just the quantity produced in a single day, it is easy to imagine how quickly it accumulates over a week, a month or even a year. A crucial question therefore arises: how can we manage these enormous volumes of waste in a sustainable and intelligent way? Rebloom is the benefit startup that develops innovative packaging materials from bagasse, following a circular economy approach.
In Italy, it is estimated that more than 10 million women are going through menopause. The decline in oestrogen that occurs during this period affects several systems in the body, causing vasomotor symptoms (such as hot flushes and night sweats), as well as neuropsychological symptoms including sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and even anxiety and depression. Pausetiv is Italy's first virtual clinic entirely dedicated to this phase of women's lives. Through an advanced digital platform, it offers personalised therapeutic pathways based on clinical data and patients' lifestyles. The service integrates medical, nutritional and psychological support, enabling women to navigate this delicate phase with awareness and wellbeing. In addition, Pausetiv works with companies to create inclusive workplaces and improve the wellbeing of female employees.
The National Health Service is designed to provide universal healthcare to all Italian citizens. However, determining the exact number of people who access healthcare services each year is complex, as access can range from simple consultations to more complex treatments. One specific figure concerns integrated home care: in a single year, nearly 1,050,000 patients were cared for at home, of whom 82 per cent were aged over 65. GJ is a technology platform that aims to transform the concept of healthcare through an integrated model of care. On one hand, it offers multidisciplinary therapeutic pathways, combining medical, psychological and nutritional expertise to address wellbeing holistically. On the other, it provides healthcare professionals with digital tools to optimise their work and improve the patient experience. With a focus on the interconnection between body and mind, GJ places the individual at the centre of the care process.
In recent years, Italy has seen a growing interest in egg freezing. According to 2021 estimates, around 6,000 women chose this procedure, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. However, the overall number remains relatively low, with only a few hundred women resorting to it each year. The main issues concern the high cost, which in most cases is not covered by the National Health Service. MeggyCare was created with the aim of helping women preserve their fertility. The startup offers educational tools and innovative services to inform women about and make egg freezing more accessible. By working with companies and sector specialists, this startup seeks to raise awareness among young women on the subject, offering concrete solutions for conscious fertility planning free from social pressure.
The arrival of a newborn brings about a significant reorganisation of daily routines. Managing a baby's sleep and wake cycles can be particularly demanding, affecting parents' rest and causing fatigue to accumulate. In the first months, concerns are many and can be amplified by a lack of experience, making the support of healthcare professionals essential. The intensive care required by a newborn can therefore limit parents' social interactions, leading to feelings of isolation. Mykes positions itself as a fundamental ally for new parents, offering integrated support throughout the first three years of a child's life. Through a multilingual digital platform, this initiative provides guidance, training and a support network for families. With a focus on community-building and the sharing of experiences, the startup is committed to easing the parenting journey by providing useful resources and creating spaces for dialogue among families with similar needs.
Play is not just fun: it is one of the most effective and natural ways in which children learn about themselves and the world. Through play, young ones develop cognitive, motor, emotional and social skills; they explore concepts such as cause and effect, rules, roles and problem solving. Education through play is therefore the mission of In Ludus, a company that develops play-based tools to address complex topics such as bullying, diversity and inclusion. The startup stands out for its innovative approach, combining educational games with training programmes designed for children and adolescents. Originally from Argentina and currently expanding into Italy, In Ludus aims to make learning more engaging and meaningful, helping young people develop social skills and a greater awareness of the challenges of modern society.
In Italy, it is estimated that over 1.8 million women live with a diagnosis of endometriosis, while vulvodynia affects around 15 per cent of the female population. Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological condition characterised by the abnormal presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, in organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum and intestine, which — responding to the hormonal stimuli of the menstrual cycle — causes inflammation, chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhoea. Vulvodynia, on the other hand, is a condition characterised by chronic and persistent pain in the vulvar region, often described as burning, irritation or a stinging sensation, with no evident local lesions or infections. MAI.care focuses on a frequently overlooked problem: the underdiagnosis of these female diseases. The startup proposes a virtual clinic that connects specialist doctors and offers training services for both professionals and patients. The goal is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, raising public awareness and ensuring easier access to adequate care. A true revolution in the field of women's health.
In 2021, in Italy, 63,653 voluntary terminations of pregnancy (Ivg) were reported, corresponding to an abortion rate of 5.3 Ivg per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49 — one of the lowest rates globally. Despite the existence of Law 194/1978, Italian women encounter several difficulties in accessing clear and timely information about the available services: compounding this is another significant barrier, namely the high number of conscientious objector doctors. Abli was created precisely to fill a crucial information gap. Through a digital platform, it provides up-to-date data on hospital availability, the procedures to follow and the rights guaranteed by Law 194/78. With an approach oriented towards informed access and the protection of women's rights, Abli presents itself as an essential tool for ensuring clear and transparent information on a subject that is often subject to bureaucratic and cultural barriers.
In Iran, women live under a regime that severely restricts their rights and freedoms. From the obligation to wear the veil to restrictions in education, work and public life, gender discrimination is enshrined in law. Yet Iranian women continue to fight with courage: they protest, study, write and produce works of art. Echi di Persia is a project dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary Iranian women artists, many of whom work in difficult circumstances due to economic and social restrictions. Through exhibitions, sales and collaborations with local NGOs, the startup promotes art as a vehicle for cultural and ecological change.
The second edition of Women in Action therefore kicks off on 3 April 2025 in Milan: for three months, the ten selected organisations have access to 150 hours of free training, mentorship and coaching, with the support of sector experts. "Our goal is to create a network of value and foster a transformative mindset," explains Elga Corricelli, co-founder of the project. The initiative will culminate on 26 June with a Celebration Day at the Torre PwC, offering participants the opportunity to present themselves to investors and partner companies. "The high number of applications demonstrates the vibrancy of female entrepreneurship and the importance of tools that support its growth," concludes Frida Mura of Archiva Group, sponsor of the programme.
