Olivia Orchowski’s journey into women’s health technology began with a personal revelation. In her early 20s, she discovered that years of health issues were linked to undiagnosed Celiac disease. “A lack of cycle literacy meant I didn’t recognize years of symptoms,” she recalls. As a personal trainer, Orchowski witnessed firsthand the struggles women faced with menstrual health issues like PCOS, endometriosis, and hypothalamic amenorrhea. The common medical response? “Just go on the pill.” This was the turning point for Orchowski.
Frustrated by the lack of meaningful solutions, Orchowski realized that to truly help her clients, she needed better biometric data. However, existing wearables were built on male physiology and weren’t suited for cycle tracking. This frustration sparked the idea for Kyri, initially called FemTek when founded in 2020. Kyri has developed cutting-edge technology like the Basal Body Ring to help women track and understand their cycles. By collecting data on basal body temperature, heart rate, and other essential biometrics, Kyri empowers women to make informed decisions about fertility, family planning, and managing health issues.
A Significant Milestone
After about five years in operation, Kyri achieved significant success with a $1 million funding round in early 2024, led by Arcanys Ventures and Techstars. Later that year, the company rebranded to Kyri, inspired by the Valkyrie of Norse mythology. Orchowski noticed a substantial gap in the tech market: products designed around men, leaving women’s unique physiological needs unaddressed. “Women deserve better,” she asserts.
Empowering Women Through Technology
As a female founder in a historically underfunded space, Orchowski has faced numerous challenges. “We’ve had to fight for every step forward,” she says, highlighting the research gaps, lack of investment, and constant need for education. Despite these hurdles, Orchowski’s passion drives her forward. Seeing how Kyri’s products help women build body literacy and take control of their health makes the challenges worthwhile.
Orchowski’s advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs? “Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready’. The most important thing is taking action.” She encourages women to identify problems that need solving and build solutions for them, just as she did with Kyri.
