Founded by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal accelerates social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.
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New Research on Women's Health and Wealth Highlights Untapped Investment Opportunities
87% of women say they would switch health providers for care that really “understands” them, 63% say they have had to step back from work in the past year because of caregiving responsibilities, and 51% say they feel financially insecure. They are cobbling together strategies to cope with these stressors, including turning increasingly to new technologies—70% of women use AI weekly—and they want more permanent fixes that make their lives feel sustainable.
Pivotal Ventures makes direct investments in companies that provide market-based solutions to overlooked social problems, with the goal of making life easier for women and families. Pivotal’s strategy has focused on two areas, caregiving and women’s health, where there is strong demand for modern solutions. Financial access has now been added as a third focus area, since personal finances are another major pain point for families. The Holding Co. research indicates that opportunities for investment in these areas are as promising as ever, with women and families actively looking for innovative products and services that meet their needs.
"Families are desperate for better ways to navigate the complexity of their day-to-day lives. Women especially spend hours caring for their kids and older adults, scheduling doctor’s visits and managing prescriptions, and just trying to make ends meet. We invest in start-ups that center the needs of women and families by tackling these challenges. Companies that deliver long-term solutions will be very successful—and they’ll make life healthier, more secure, and more equal for everyone."
Key Findings
Caregiving
Caregiving responsibilities continue to take a toll on women’s health, wellbeing, and economic security.
- ~63% of women with caregiving responsibilities have stepped back from work (e.g., left a job, reduced hours, switched to gig work) in the past year due to caregiving responsibilities.
- Among women not currently employed, 78% agree with the sentiment that they would re-enter the workforce if they had access to jobs that fit their lifestyle and schedules.
- 60% of caregivers for older adults are paying $100-$1,999 per month on aging care. 52% of caregivers for children are paying $100-$1,999 per month on child care.
- 77% of women expected to provide financial support to their aging parents in the next 5-10 years. 73% agree with the sentiment that they are worried about whether they will be able to afford it.
- 18% of women with care responsibilities have delayed care for themselves in the past month due to a conflict with a child or older adult’s needs.
- When asked how they would use one hour of extra time each week, 30% say they would prioritize their own health.
Women’s Health
Women are the key decision-makers and influencers in healthcare, and they are seeking better options.
- 63% of women identify as the primary decision maker in choosing providers for their families.
- 55% have recommended a health provider or service in the past six months.
- 87% say they would switch providers for care that truly understands them.
- ~65% of women agree with the sentiment that care that centers their experiences—like making them feel valued, acknowledging their racial identity, and connecting physical and mental health—would make their healthcare experience great.
Financial Access
Women feel financially insecure but are proactively navigating through the uncertainty.
- 51% of women feel somewhat or very financially insecure.
- ~59% say they would not be able to cover a $400 emergency with their savings.
- In the past year 27% of women experienced a rent increase and 23% said medical and dental expenses went unmet.
- In the next year, amid the uncertainty:
- 69% of women aim to increase their savings and investments.
- 46% plan to boost their income through a new job or promotion.
- 43% plan to pay down debt.
- 35% plan to start a new business or take on freelance work.
- 33% plan to strengthen their credit scores.
- 26% of women have recommended a financial services product or app at least once in the last month, with almost half of them having done so more than once.
Technology
Contrary to stereotypes about women being slow to adopt AI and other technologies, they are taking advantage of new tools to save time and simplify their lives.
- 70% of women use AI weekly, and about four in ten use it every day. Only 10% say they avoid or don’t trust it.
- To meet their healthcare needs, 26% of women use at least one app, and 19% are turning to AI.
- 62% trust AI to suggest next medical steps and 56% are comfortable with AI matching them to caregivers.
- 64% of women share the sentiment that tools to better budget, invest, and track their finances would make it easier for them to improve their finances in the next three months.
- 85% are comfortable with AI explaining an insurance bill, 77% are open to using it to manage their spending and saving, and 75% would turn to it for starting or running a business.
Methodology: This data was generated through a Remesh Live study. Remesh Live is a scalable qualitative research method that uses artificial intelligence to facilitate and analyze real-time, text-based discussions with a large audience. Some questions asked participants about their opinions on certain topics. For these questions, Remesh infers every participant’s preference towards each response using a machine learning model called collaborative filtering, which uses voting activities participants complete after submitting their own responses. Survey respondents included 150+ women aged 18-50+.
About Pivotal
Founded by Melinda French Gates in 2015, Pivotal is a group of organizations that work to accelerate the pace of social progress and expand women’s power and influence in the U.S. and around the world. Through high-impact investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy, Pivotal seeks to remove the barriers that hold women—and all people—back. Pivotal includes Pivotal Ventures, LLC and Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private foundation launched in 2022.
About The Holding Company
The Holding Co. is a strategy and design consultancy reimagining the future of care. Founded in 2020 after a year-long exploration of caregiving’s potential, the firm partners with startups, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits to design solutions that meet the needs of families. Its diverse team of designers and strategists translate insight into compelling products, brands, and services that make care more accessible and valuable. With over 50 partnerships, including the WA Cares Fund, CareScout, Wellthy, Little Otter, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, The Holding Co. shows that care is not just essential, it’s a driving force for innovation.
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