Tennis legend Serena Williams has partnered with Teal Health, a women’s health startup co-founded in 2020 by Kara Egan (CEO) and Dr. Avnesh Thakor. The company aims to revolutionize cervical cancer screenings by developing an at-home self-collection kit, which is currently under FDA review. The idea stemmed from Dr. Thakor’s observation of limited innovation in cervical cancer detection during his medical career, combined with Egan’s extensive experience in finance, health, and technology.
Teal Health’s process begins with users requesting a kit, undergoing eligibility screening, and receiving the device for at-home sample collection. The samples are then sent to a lab, with results accessible through the company’s app. Users can also consult with healthcare providers for further assistance.
The device holds significant potential to address disparities affecting Black women, who are 41% more likely to develop cervical cancer and 75% more likely to die from it compared to white women. Factors such as medical distrust and limited access to healthcare contribute to these statistics.
“Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable with screening, yet in the U.S., more than 1 in 4 women are not up to date on their screening, and Black women are 41% more likely to develop cervical cancer than White women. It’s time to reverse this trend, our at-home self-collection screening device,” Egan told AFROTECH. “Teal Wand will provide women with an alternative to the traditional screening method with stirrups and a speculum, making it easier for them to stay on top of their health – and eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern for all women.”
Teal Health recently secured $10 million in seed funding, led by Emerson Collective and Forerunner, with participation from Labcorp, Metrodora, and Serena Ventures—Williams’ venture capital firm that focuses on underrepresented founders. This funding will accelerate the launch of their transformative screening solution, allowing women to take charge of their health with greater ease and confidence.
Serena Ventures has a history of investing in healthcare, including backing HUED, a startup addressing healthcare disparities for Black and Latinx patients. Serena Williams’ involvement reflects her personal commitment to improving healthcare access, particularly for marginalized communities.