So Rebecca, tell us a bit about yourself and Raise.
I’m the co-founder of Raise. Raise is a parental leave engagement platform, which supports a positive work-related pregnancy, maternity and back to work experience in a way that works for the employee and employer.
By improving the experience for both sides – we increase retention, increase engagement and ensure the careers of these potential future leaders don’t stall. All of which would have helped me enormously throughout my maternity leave, and the hundreds of women I’ve shared it with.
We increase retention, increase engagement and ensure the careers of these potential future leaders don’t stall
I previously have worked in a range of senior marketing roles for brands including Corinthia hotels, British Airways, John Lewis.
So, the FemTech space is new to me but a really super, inclusive and important place to be right now. Places like FemTech Lab are a great place to be for support!
What motivated you to set up Raise?
I’ve experienced parental leave three times, twice working for a very large Corporate, once for a smaller luxury brand. To say the experiences I had were mixed is a complete understatement.
One thing I learnt, which speaks to many women in this position, is that regardless of a company’s maternity policies – the relationship with and experience of the individual’s line manager, plus company circumstance play a huge role in shaping this important experience, both positive or negative.
It often isn’t additional pay and benefits that they crave, but more communication
I’ve spoken with hundreds of women and line managers about their experiences as Raise has developed throughout 2021. Time and time again from women I heard that it often isn’t additional pay and benefits that they crave, but more communication, understanding and support in re-entering the workplace.
For line managers, many feel unsure or awkward about what to say and how to act throughout this time for repercussion, so are often quite absent. This is where the idea for Raise was born.
What does the future look like for Raise?
Our plan is to develop lasting relationships with each of our clients. We believe there is a place for Raise to add value to both smaller and larger clients, given parental leave affects all companies and employees.
Companies are looking at new ways to attract and retain talent
The opportunities for growth are huge – companies are looking at new ways to attract and retain talent and increase the number of females in senior-level positions, and Raise really talks to this.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt since starting Raise?
It’s early days for us. One important lesson really is around the importance of network and taking every opportunity. Being a company founder requires so many different hats and skills – which is super exciting, challenging.
Being a company founder requires so many different hats and skills
Pushing myself to pitch the idea to businesses early. I had a real sense of achievement when on the first pitch the CEO of the company I pitched to completely got it and signed up on the spot to being our first development client.
If you were able to create ANY solution what would it be?
Must be something to help manage the daily demands that come with 3 children and a startup…
Raise are part of FemTech Lab’s Fall 2021 Cohort.
You can keep up to date with the latest updates via the Femtech Lab website.
