What is the name of your organization?
Elle, MD Biotechnologies Inc.
What is the name of your solution?
The Better Ring
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
A hormone-free, once-monthly contraceptive ring that provides safe, effective and non-invasive birth control.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
New Minas, NS, Canada
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Canada
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Millions of people around the world rely on birth control, but the options available today often come with compromises. Hormonal contraceptives can have serious side effects like depression, breast cancer, autoimmune disease and an increased risk of blood clots. Non-hormonal options, like the copper IUD, are highly effective but can cause intense cramping, heavier periods, and require an invasive procedure for insertion and removal. Many people struggle to find a solution that meets their needs without impacting their health or quality of life.
Globally, almost a billion people are using contraception, yet a significant percentage discontinue their method due to side effects or discomfort. In North America alone, the contraceptive market is valued at over $10 billion, but there remains a massive gap for non-hormonal, user-friendly options. Women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals deserve better choices—ones that prioritize safety, comfort, and control over their own reproductive health.
What is your solution?
The Better Ring is a hormone-free, once-monthly contraceptive ring designed to provide highly effective birth control without the need for hormones or medical procedures. The Better Ring is user-inserted and removed, thereby giving additional reproductive autonomy. It's also designed with people in mind; easy to use birth control without the side effects of hormones.
The device works by releasing copper ions, which create an environment that prevents fertilization. It is designed to be worn for three weeks and removed during menstruation, providing a simple, non-invasive birth control method that doesn't affect periods. It's also intended to be used as an emergency contraceptive if inserted within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, offering the first user controlled, dual indication device of its kind.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The Better Ring is designed for people seeking effective, non-hormonal contraception—particularly those who experience side effects from hormonal birth control or discomfort with existing non-hormonal options.
Our beachhead market includes North American women and girls aged 16-35 who are health conscious and interested in hormone free birth control. We plan to expand to those over 35, since the risk of hormone related blood clots increases with age.
Beyond that, we also want to empower gender-diverse individuals who may not feel comfortable with traditional contraceptive options and people in underserved areas where access to medical care is limited.
The Better Ring empowers users with a non-hormonal, non-invasive contraceptive option that puts their health and comfort first. By eliminating the side effects commonly associated with hormonal birth control, it offers a reliable solution that doesn’t force people to choose between preventing pregnancy and maintaining their quality of life. It's discreet, easy to use, and designed to meet the real needs of those who want control without compromise.
