W Group has officially opened the application window for its W Accelerate programme, delivered in partnership with science and technology firm Merck KGaA and its strategic venture capital arm, M Ventures. The initiative invites entrepreneurs to apply for an opportunity to pitch their businesses on 5 October. The scheme aims to address the investment and innovation disparity in the women’s health sector by linking early-stage firms with major corporate entities and investors.

This marks the third collaboration between the organisations, focusing specifically on reproductive and maternal health. Organisers are seeking breakthrough technologies targeting female infertility, fertility preservation, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), ovarian insufficiency, preeclampsia and pregnancy comorbidities.

Nathan Edwards, Founder at W Group, commented on the sector’s trajectory: “Women’s health has proven it can attract capital and produce venture-scale outcomes. The question now is whether the ecosystem can build the infrastructure to turn promising science into real partnerships at scale. That’s what W Accelerate exists to do. Bringing Merck and M Ventures back for a third time, around innovation in reproductive and maternal health, is exactly the kind of connection that moves this industry from momentum to lasting change.”

The scheme has previously delivered commercial outcomes. For example, Calla Lily Clinical Care secured a strategic collaboration with Merck in February 2026 after participating in an earlier cohort.

Thang Vo-Ta, CEO and CO-Founder, Calla Lily Clinical Care said: “The W Group created a rare opportunity for Calla Lily Clinical Care to pitch directly to senior leadership at Merck and M Ventures, and the event was executed with exceptional care and attention to detail. The mix of formal and informal engagement throughout the day sparked the conversations that became the foundation of relationships leading to our eventual strategic collaboration with Merck. Bias aside from a great outcome, I’ve yet to see another event run with this level of excellence.”

This year introduces three entry pathways designed around specific startup goals. The Partnership Lane focuses on commercial collaborations, the Investment Lane connects founders with venture capital financiers, and the Dual Lane accommodates firms seeking both outcomes simultaneously. Selected entrepreneurs will receive one-to-one pitch training before attending private 30-minute meetings with Merck and M Ventures executives, roundtables and expert regulatory sessions.

Sebastina Bohl, VP Healthcare Innovation & Business Excellence, Merck KGaA stated: “Partnering with W Accelerate has been genuinely valuable for identifying the innovation that matters most to us. The quality and relevance of the applicants consistently exceeds expectations, giving us direct access to the kind of breakthrough thinking that’s hard to find through traditional channels. This programme has become a meaningful part of how we scout and engage with the reproductive and maternal health ecosystem.”