Oya Femtech Apparel, a women’s athletic apparel brand that uses antimicrobial mesh and sweat absorption fabrics to support feminine health and comfort, has raised an oversubscribed $1.3 million pre seed round led by the Sixers Innovation Lab from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Other investors in the round include Techstars Sports, R/GA Ventures, REI Path Ahead Ventures, and Union Heritage Venture Partners.
Oya’s patent-pending leggings and shorts were designed to combat the $43.3 billion that U.S. women spent last year dealing with feminine health issues such as urinary incontinence, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections. More than 60 doctors and 200 athletes helped design Oya’s athletic apparel, which includes fabric inserts for added air flow and sanitation. Oya’s co-founder Mitchella (Mitch) Gilbert was a college rugby player at the University of Chicago.
“Unfortunately, most performance wear is made with spandex blends, which trap moisture and do not breathe. This is not good for women athletes who need ventilation and moisture control,” Gilbert said in a statement. “I took it upon myself to solve the issue by creating a line of performance wear designed with women’s health in mind.”
Read the full article in Sports Business Journal.