HealthTech of the Week: HerRise – a femtech startup that blends technology with empathy. How does the app support women recovering from toxic relationships?

The femtech market has grown at a staggering pace in recent years, from cycle-tracking apps to innovative solutions supporting women’s sexual and reproductive health. Unsurprisingly, it has also drawn the attention of the Healthtech of the Week team. Yet, mental health, particularly for women recovering from toxic and abusive relationships, remains a niche within this booming sector. HerRise, a Polish startup founded by Natalia Siemieniuk-Morawska, fills this gap by combining digital tools, artificial intelligence, and community elements into one safe space for emotional support.

As Siemieniuk-Morawska explains, HerRise was born from personal experience, as well as the stories of thousands of women in her online community, which now numbers over 40,000 members.

– For years, I’ve supported women breaking free from toxic relationships and have seen firsthand how deeply they lack empathetic, accessible tools. Their stories – often painful, but full of strength – became the driving force behind this app. I believe that technology, including the fast-growing femtech sector, can offer women a completely new quality of emotional support – she says.

But can an app truly provide even a partial solution for something as deeply human as emotions and healing?

Filling the missing piece of femtech

While most femtech innovations focus on reproductive or hormonal health, HerRise introduces a new category: mental health & empowerment. The app is designed for women struggling with the emotional aftermath of toxic relationships, particularly those with limited access to psychotherapy.

It addresses not only common psychological challenges, such as anxiety, guilt, or the effects of gaslighting, but also the impact of hormonal fluctuations on mood, as well as cultural pressures. One of these, the entrenched “Polish Mother” stereotype, has for decades instilled guilt and shame in women, discouraging them from prioritizing their own needs.

– This social pattern silences women and makes many of us feel we don’t have the right to rebel or choose ourselves. HerRise was created to change that – to give women new language, tools, and permission to set boundaries without fear or guilt – Siemieniuk-Morawska emphasizes.

HerRise is tailored for women who, for various reasons, cannot or choose not to access traditional therapy. While the app doesn’t replace a psychologist, it often serves as a first, safe step toward reconnecting with oneself.

– Imagine a woman, awake at night while her child sleeps, feeling completely alone. She can’t afford therapy, has no energy or space to seek help. She’s ashamed, afraid of judgment, convinced no one truly understands her experience. HerRise gives her a sense of safety – a place to write, read, and feel understood. It’s 24/7 support, discreet and available when it’s needed most. For many women, it’s not just a support space, but sometimes literally a lifeline – he founder explains.

Artificial intelligence as a quiet companion

One of HerRise’s key differentiators is its use of artificial intelligence to personalize support paths and content. The app’s algorithms assess each user’s needs and emotional state, adjusting the pace, format, and type of support to their circumstances and readiness for change.

Here, AI acts as a quiet companion rather than a loud advisor – it doesn’t push generic advice but tailors suggestions and resources to match each woman’s emotions and situation. This approach helps users feel seen and understood, which is particularly vital for those living with a sense of isolation or invisibility.

Another cornerstone of HerRise is its focus on safety and anonymity. The app was built for women who often live under emotional or technological control from a partner, making it difficult to seek help openly. From the first interaction, HerRise assures users they can share their experiences without fear of judgment, exposure, or exploitation. Anonymity and privacy aren’t optional features – they’re the foundation of the entire platform.

The future: VR, wearables integration, and institutional partnerships

Looking ahead, HerRise’s creators have ambitious plans. Future updates will include integration with devices that monitor mental well-being, as well as the use of virtual reality to help users process emotions and trauma more effectively. The team is particularly fascinated by the concept of creating a “safe emotional space” in VR, where women can practice setting boundaries or learn self-regulation skills, and they see this as a natural direction for growth.

That’s not all. The startup is also building partnerships with institutions ranging from NGOs to public healthcare systems. It is already collaborating with the Women’s Rights Center (Centrum Praw Kobiet) in Poland and plans to expand these alliances to improve access to support for women in crisis.

HerRise stands as an example of how medical technology and femtech can truly improve quality of life. More than just an app, it is a social project that proves digital tools can be far more than gadgets. They can become a haven for women who need support, understanding, and the strength to rebuild their lives.

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Stay tuned for more in the “HealthTech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].