Today marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and as the founder of Bubble FLO®, I've been reflecting on my journey in med-tech and what this day means to me.

Let me share some context. Last year, I had the privilege of participating in two meaningful events. I joined Lisa Crombie of ConfiPlus in February for a virtual Women in Business talk. Then in the May, I spoke at the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC) Conference at Heriot-Watt University, sharing the stage with Louise Kennedy, Helena Feasey, and Michael Crichton. I joined Lisa in March for a virtual Women in Business talk. Both experiences reminded me why diverse voices in science and technology matter.

Here's what I've noticed: the landscape in Scotland is genuinely moving in the right direction. The agencies I've connected with have strong female representation, and I've actually had opportunities specifically because initiatives recognise women as underrepresented in this space. That's progress, and it's worth celebrating.

But let's talk about the bigger picture, because that's where we still have work to do.

Women make up less than 25% of engineering and technology roles in the UK, with core engineering disciplines showing even lower representation. The Alison Rose Review found that if women started businesses at the same rate as men, we'd add £250 billion to the UK economy through 1.1 million more female entrepreneurs.

And here's where it gets challenging: whilst recent data shows improvement, female-led startups still receive only around 2-8% of UK venture capital funding, depending on how it's measured. Women's average starting capital remains significantly lower than men's, and we're 55% more likely to cite fear of starting alone as a barrier.

When girls don't see themselves represented in science and technology, they simply don't consider it as a path. The Rose Review found that women are far less likely to personally know an entrepreneur, cutting them off from the role models and networks that make all the difference.

Developing Bubble FLO® over the past nine years has taught me that support systems matter enormously. The MDMC's expertise in regulatory compliance and manufacturing strategy has been invaluable. One of my favourite moments? Finally meeting Edwin Lindsay face-to-face after seven years of remote collaboration. That's what this industry does, it builds long-term relationships through shared challenges and genuine support.

Here's what gives me hope: the government's "Investing in Women" code, expanding networking opportunities, and growing entrepreneurship education aren't just nice ideas anymore. They're becoming real initiatives with actual backing.

The UK government aims to match countries like France, Canada, and the United States for entrepreneurship gender parity by 2030. That means 600,000 additional female entrepreneurs. It's ambitious, but I believe we can do it.

I see every day how innovation changes lives. Families using Bubble FLO® to manage respiratory health at home, kids getting better care, parents feeling more confident. That drives me. But I also know we need all voices in this conversation, all perspectives at the table, to create the best solutions.

To anyone considering a career in science or thinking about starting their own venture: yes, there are challenges. But your perspective matters, your ideas matter, and the world genuinely needs what you have to offer. And increasingly, there are people and systems ready to support you.

One year on from those conversations, I'm more committed than ever. Not just to make Bubble FLO® accessible to every family who needs it, but to do my bit in making sure the next generation of women in med-tech has an even better path than we've had.

Katie Vance is the founder of Bubble FLO®, a med-tech innovation helping families manage respiratory health at home. She is passionate about increasing female representation in STEM and entrepreneurship.

Want to learn more about Bubble FLO® or connect with Katie? Visit www.bubbleflo.com or reach out directly.

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