Health Innovation Hub Ireland launches first FemTech case study of 2026 with Daye and it’s Diagnostic Tampon set to revolutionise the testing of HPV
This Monday we’re proud to kick off our 2026 FemTech Case Study Spotlight series with Daye an innovative gynae health FemTech company addressing unmet needs in women’s health through evidence-based medical and diagnostic devices.
Founded in 2017 by Valentina Milanova, Daye is redefining how cervical cancer prevention can be more accessible, acceptable and equitable. Through our FemTech initiative, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) supported a clinical evaluation of Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon a CE-marked, MHRA-registered self-sampling device designed to collect high-quality specimens for HPV testing in a way that feels familiar and comfortable for women.
What does this means for women’s health?
Traditional HPV screening methods can be invasive and uncomfortable, creating barriers to participation and contributing to under-screening in certain populations. Daye’s solution demonstrated strong clinical interest and clear advantages across:
Patient preference & inclusivity – positively received by first-time tampon users, peri- and post-menopausal women, sexual assault survivors, and South Asian & Muslim populations
User friendliness & cost effectiveness – superior to existing self-sampling methods
Sustainability – 100% cotton tampon, bio-based applicator, carbon-neutral and certified B Corp
HIHI’s role
Through our structured, stage-gated clinical evaluation framework, HIHI connected Daye with Irish clinicians, generating meaningful feedback, strengthening the clinical and economic case, and helping build a cohort of clinical champions within the health system.
As Valentina Milanova, Founder & CEO of Daye, shared: “Collaborating with the Health Innovation Hub Ireland team has been an invaluable experience… strengthening the clinical and economic case for Daye’s Diagnostic Tampon.”
This case study reflects the impact of FemTech @ HIHI, supporting high-potential innovations that improve health outcomes for women and girls, and ultimately benefit 50% of the population.
📌 Stay tuned as we spotlight more impactful innovations throughout 2026.
Read the full case study here. https://hih.ie/downloads/case-studies/HIHI-case-study_Daye.pdf