#WomensHealth, #FemTech, #AngelInvesting

In this episode of Blush and Bloom, I sit down with Trine Hoffensetz Winther, CEO of DanBAN, to talk about how angel investors think, what early-stage founders should focus on, and why women's health innovation still has so much untapped potential.

We explore how founders can build resilience, the role of honest storytelling in fundraising, and why execution matters more than a perfect plan. Trine also shares thoughts on FemTech as a category, the importance of balancing ambition with realism, and how investors are using AI in their work.

We also talk about what needs to shift in Europe to support women’s health founders, the value of diverse investor communities, and the rise of women stepping into leadership, investing, and innovation.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Welcome
• 00:21 Meet Trine
• 00:30 Her path into the startup and investment ecosystem
• 01:52 What connects all her roles across startups and investing
• 03:16 Why founder mindset beats a “perfect idea”
• 04:50 What investors look for beyond the pitch deck
• 06:07 Authenticity vs inflated projections
• 08:56 How investors view FemTech today
• 10:04 Labels, FemTech, and the pros and cons of niches
• 12:12 Tips for pitching as a FemTech founder
• 14:17 Why specialized investor communities matter
• 16:27 The role of angel investors in women’s health
• 18:55 What needs to shift in Europe
• 20:35 How investors use AI
• 24:30 Advice for first-time women founders pitching
• 25:25 Why women’s health innovation is so exciting right now
• 27:12 Advice to her 15-year-old self
• 28:07 Where to find Trine and DanBAN

In this conversation, we cover

• What investors really look for in founders
• FemTech as a label — helpful or limiting?
• Balancing ambition with honesty in pitch decks
• The importance of resilience, execution, and grit
• Why diversity in investors shapes better outcomes
• How AI is shaping early-stage investing
• The future of women’s health innovation in Europe

People and links

• Trine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinehoffensetz/
• DanBAN: https://www.danban.org/
• Gigi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigikenneth

Show Notes
Episode notes and extra resources: https://www.asele.tech/post/blush-and-bloom-ep30-danban-femtech-investing

Connect with Asele

• Website: https://asele.tech
• App: https://asele.health
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asele.tech
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/asele
• WhatsApp Community: https://bit.ly/aselecommunity

Listen

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NEsMfkG3dvl0pYXU40Efi
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blush-and-bloom/id1832044848
• YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3BXkKjK3rJrg1XoQpGnOC7gZjc72mqg3

Question
What is one quality you think every early-stage founder needs to succeed?

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