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Women Entrepreneurs Fund Winner - Jessica Fitzjohn

Breaking Barriers in Healthcare: Jessica Fitzjohn's Innovation


Jessica Fitzjohn exemplifies why Joy Shivas established the Womens Entrepreneur Fund at the Christchurch Foundation. With women receiving only a fraction of venture capital funding in New Zealand, the fund aims to provide crucial early-stage support to innovative female founders. Jessica has received not only the $10,000 grant but an additional $2,500 award from previous recipient Vicki Ledergerber - demonstrating the powerful network of support the fund is building.



Jessica's revolutionary breast screening device uses gentle vibrations and advanced algorithms to detect abnormalities, potentially transforming early detection rates. Motivated by the loss of a close family friend to late-diagnosed breast cancer, Jessica's solution addresses crucial barriers to early detection, particularly for younger wāhine and those in rural communities.


The funding will support clinical trials and regulatory compliance, allowing Jessica to focus fully on bringing this life-changing technology to market - precisely the kind of impact Joy Shivas envisioned when creating a fund that could help female entrepreneurs overcome financial barriers and devote themselves fully to their ventures.


Congratulations, Jessica!




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