Today: Feb 14, 2025

Aer Venture Studios invests £235k in HeyFlow to revolutionize workplace gender equality—here’s how they’re doing It

5 months ago

Bristol-based software startup HeyFlow has secured £235,000 in investment from Aer Venture Studios. The investment will support the development of its tech platform and employee insight tool, designed to help businesses improve workplace conditions for women.

The directors of Aer Venture Studios, Geoff Wells and Tom Harber, will take active roles in HeyFlow’s growth. Wells is set to join the company’s board of directors, signaling a close partnership between the two firms.

HeyFlow’s co-founder, Sophie Creese, emphasized the importance of the funding, calling it a validation of their mission to promote reproductive health inclusion and reduce gender disparities in the workplace.

“Only a small percentage of investment goes to female-founded companies,” Creese said. “Aer Venture Studios’ support sends a clear message that innovative, women-led startups are worth backing.”

HeyFlow’s employee insights platform is designed to change workplace behaviors, helping companies retain and promote female talent while boosting profitability and fostering a more equitable environment.

Data suggests the need for this kind of initiative is urgent: 31% of women experience severe reproductive health symptoms each year, 85% face at least four reproductive health conditions, and mothers experience a 60% drop in earnings after their first child compared to fathers.

At the heart of HeyFlow’s offering is a platform that doesn’t just track surface-level metrics, but digs deep into the experiences of female employees.

The aim is to identify the often-overlooked factors—like the impact of reproductive health on career progression—that contribute to gender gaps. By providing data-driven insights, the platform helps companies make informed decisions that result in meaningful change

Why this matters: Tackling gender inequality in the workplace

For decades, women have faced systemic barriers to advancement in the workplace, from underrepresentation in leadership to pay gaps and lack of support for reproductive health issues.

The numbers tell a stark story: 31% of women suffer from severe reproductive health symptoms each year, and 85% experience at least four different reproductive health conditions over their lifetimes.

One particularly glaring figure shows that mothers see a 60% drop in earnings after having their first child, compared to fathers, who face a far smaller impact.

This is where HeyFlow steps in. Founded by a majority-female team, the company is laser-focused on creating digital tools to help businesses foster environments where women can thrive.

The connection between reproductive health and gender equity in the workplace may not seem obvious at first glance, but research clearly shows how intertwined they are. For example, the gender pay gap spikes around age 30—when many women become parents—and again around age 50, coinciding with menopause.

Reproductive health is more than a personal issue; it directly affects productivity, morale, and the career progression of many employees, especially women. Yet, this topic remains largely taboo in the workplace, with many employees reluctant to bring it up, fearing that it may affect performance reviews or promotion opportunities.

HeyFlow aims to break that silence by empowering companies to take reproductive health seriously. Co-founder Sophie Creese explained, “Reproductive health inclusion isn’t just about being a good employer; it’s about future-proofing your business by retaining talent, improving productivity, and closing the gender pay gap.”

But what if a company already has good policies?

Many companies already have progressive policies in place, offering maternity leave and flexible working options. So why would they need a service like HeyFlow?

The reality, according to Creese, is that even the best policies can fall short if they aren’t properly integrated into the company’s culture.

“We’ve found that in some cases, progressive policies can actually create frustration if employees feel they aren’t being implemented effectively. It’s like seeing what you could have, but not actually receiving it.”

This is where HeyFlow steps in. The company works as a third-party consultant, gathering employee feedback and offering tailored workshops to help businesses bridge the gap between policy and practice.

By facilitating open discussions around reproductive health, HeyFlow helps businesses ensure that their policies aren’t just on paper, but lived out in day-to-day operations.

 

 

Fabrice Iranzi

Journalist and Project Leader at LionHerald, strong passion in tech and new ideas, serving Digital Company Builders in UK and beyond
E-mail: iranzi@lionherald.com

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