The local female-founded businesses that are keeping us healthy

The temperature is starting to cool and the leaves are turning beautiful colours—but with stunning autumnal weather comes the knowledge that dreaded cold and flu season will be quickly upon us.

Good health and wellbeing have never been more important, but the good news is there are plenty of locally founded female businesses keeping us healthy, right here in Canberra.

Ahead of our Female Founders event on Tuesday 9 May, we would like to share a few of the incredible women making their mark and leading the way.

Tina McIntosh (Brain Changer)

When Tina attempted to manage her chronic pain the best she could with what was available at the time (meditation, injections, and massages) nothing seemed to have a lasting effect. After experimenting with exposure therapy, safety signalling, danger identification and consulting with a healthcare team, Tina launched Brain Changer to help others just like her. Brain Changer’s BOOST Recovery Program empowers people to re-think chronic pain and live well again.

Edwina Griffin (AtOne)

With 25 years of experience in mental, physical and emotional wellness, local Edwina Griffin founded AtOne—aworld-first multi-sensory meditation app—which has evolved from her own journey and discovery. Suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome at the age of 16—sleeping 22 hours per day for four months—Edwina’s interest in mind-body connection began when she began to experience the benefits of mental, physical and emotional wellness and was able to compete on the international sporting stage.

AtOne targets stress and anxiety by using the Oculus Quest virtual reality headset to immerse the user in a state of meditation with LED lights or virtual moving scenery along with music from Australian and Indigenous artists.

Chaturica Athukorala (Aurabox)

Patient care is paramount for Aurabox co-founder and CEO Chaturica. As a radiologist, Chaturica understands the integral role of diagnostic imaging in the assessment and management of patients – for both the individual and treating doctor. The inability to easily access a patient’s entire medical imaging history in one place is a frequent source of frustration for Chaturica and it is out of that frustration that Aurabox was born.

Designed for both patients and doctors, it empowers them by providing easy access to medical imaging, engaging patients in the management of their health and allowing doctors to efficiently assess patients, collaborate on care, and monitor treatment outcomes.

Heather Lawton (GymAware)

Heather Lawton and the GymAware team have been dedicated to changing the way we exercise since 2002 when an opportunity to bring power monitoring to weights rooms was identified.

GymAware is a world class athlete monitoring system that provides real time data that can help improve technique and reach goals more effectively. Working with clients in Australia and globally (including in the NBA, NFL, AFL and NRL) GymAware brings tech to the gym in a way that could change the way we train forever.

Kate Freeman (Healthy Eating Hub & Ayla Health)

Nutritionist Kate Freeman began writing a healthy eating blog in 2009 and went on to open the Healthy Eating Hub Clinic in 2013. The blog that Kate had carefully crafted has now become Australia’s only online positive habit building platform that combines ‘flip-learning’ education principles, one-on-one support and behaviour change principles right at your fingertips. And with plans to soon launch Ayla Health—a habit-based learning, meal and snack planning, nutrition advice and support—you’ll soon be able to access Kate’s expert knowledge all through a mobile app.

Swan Ricco (LIFA LAB)

Swan Ricco is the founder of LIFA LAB, an Australian family-owned carbon-neutral clean beauty and wellness company dedicated to educating and supporting people looking to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Helping people to achieve a healthy lifestyle through all-natural organic, and plant-based beauty products and supplements, the standout is the collagen cookies!

Kim Houghton and Simone Annis (Switched on Cycles)

Switched on Cycles was established by Kim Houghton and Simone Annis in 2008 to bring high quality, mid-priced electric bicycles to Canberra. They believe that e-bikes are a fun alternative to cars but purchasing and maintaining them can be difficult with the resources offered at traditional bike shops. Their bikes extend your range without making you sweat (too much!) and help you get to work or just go exploring.

Want to know more about local female founders doing cool things in the community? Connect with the Canberra Innovation Network to find out about the programs, events and opportunities available!

Register for Female Founders now!

Article written in partnership with HerCanberra.