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Women’s health took centre-stage at THE FIX festival of health-tech
On September 18 2025, Harwell Science Campus near Oxford hosted THE FIX – an ambitious festival bringing together 700 NHS leaders, startups, investors and more for networking, dealmaking and idea-sharing. Among its most compelling spaces was the Women’s Health and FemTech tent, curated by two visionary leaders: Karina Vazirova, THE FIX’s Curator of Women’s Health & FemTech, and Dr Benjamin Viaris de Lesegno, THE FIX’s Curator of Reproductive Health.
By Joe Rowan, August 12 2025 (updated October 6 2025)
On September 18 2025, Harwell Science Campus near Oxford hosted THE FIX – an ambitious festival bringing together 700 NHS leaders, startups, investors and more for networking, dealmaking and idea-sharing. Among its most compelling spaces was the Women’s Health and FemTech tent, curated by two visionary leaders: Karina Vazirova, THE FIX’s Curator of Women’s Health & FemTech, and Dr Benjamin Viaris de Lesegno, THE FIX’s Curator of Reproductive Health.
Vazirova and Viaris de Lesegno brought complementary expertise and a shared passion for transforming women’s healthcare. Vazirova, co-founder of FemTech Lab – a global accelerator supporting 70+ women’s health startups – also hosts the MOTHER podcast, where she interviews innovators, scientists, and artists exploring the frontiers of female biology and technology. At THE FIX, her role was to create a space where these conversations evolve into real-world impact.
Viaris de Lesegno combined frontline clinical experience as an NHS Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with entrepreneurial drive. Holding degrees in fetal medicine, immunology, and genetics, and as co-founder of Leva Clinic, a digital healthcare provider focused on persistent pain, he brought deep insight into reproductive health and personalised care innovation. Notably, he is the pioneer of the Revolutionary Ambulatory C-Section Technique, a breakthrough that is redefining surgical care for women by tailoring procedures to individual needs and enabling quicker recovery.
For Viaris de Lesegno, a dedicated Women’s Health tent was far from a luxury – it was a necessity. “You can judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable,” he explains. “Women, especially during pregnancy, are often underserved – not through neglect but due to gaps in resources and knowledge. This tent creates a focused platform to raise awareness and drive meaningful change.”
Vazirova’s vision centred on connection and collaboration. “THE FIX’s festival format – especially the Conversation Circles – offers a rare chance to learn from one another, share ideas, and have fun doing it.”
Together, they designed a programme to close what Viaris de Lesegno calls the “information gap” – the root of many disparities in women’s health, from the pay gap to the pain gap and beyond. “Empowering everyone involved – from policymakers to patients – with better information will help bridge these divides.”
The tent’s agenda covered vital topics such as healthy ageing, pelvic and hormone health, fertility, and the landscape of FemTech innovation in 2025. Sessions included workshops, fireside chats, and deep-dive conversations on funding, product design, and surgery.
Viaris de Lesegno highlighted two sessions as particularly ground-breaking: “human fertility and personalised medicine in Caesarean sections. Many women think of C-sections as one-size-fits-all, but in reality, there’s enormous potential to tailor that experience to individual needs – and patients deserve to know that.”
Vazirova underscored how women’s health is deeply connected to broader aspects of health: “Women’s health isn’t isolated; it’s deeply intertwined with ageing, chronic conditions, and overall human health. Every health company is, in effect, a women’s health company, because women drive most healthcare decisions and consumer trends.”
For Vazirova, this mission is deeply personal. “Women create life, embody wisdom, and hold immense leadership potential – yet many spend large parts of their lives in poor health. FemTech and women’s health aren’t just about medicine; they’re about unlocking leadership and shaping a better future.”
THE FIX’s Women’s Health and FemTech tent was more than just another conference track. It was a vibrant, collaborative space where assumptions were questioned, knowledge was shared, and the future of health innovation was co-designed. “Participants will leave feeling inspired, connected, and energised – far beyond what a traditional conference can offer,” Viaris de Lesegno promised before the festival.
