Women Entrepreneurs Fund Winner - Annette Swale

Protecting Young Athletes: Annette Swale's Ruru Headgear

Annette Swale is transforming safety in contact sports with her innovative Ruru Headgear—a testament to why The Christchurch Foundation's Women Entrepreneur Fund is so vital for female-led ventures in Aotearoa.

As both a mother and mechanical engineering PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, Annette brings unique perspective to the critical issue of head protection in youth rugby. While traditional headgear primarily prevents soft tissue injuries, Annette's research-backed design specifically targets the reduction of impact forces that contribute to concussions.

Her commitment stems from a powerful motivation: ensuring no parent has to choose between their child's love for rugby and their long-term brain health. Ruru Headgear stands apart by creating protection that young athletes will actually want to wear—balancing safety with comfort and appeal.

The Women Entrepreneurs Fund grant will facilitate essential impact testing, material refinement, and production scaling—bridging the crucial gap between academic research and market-ready product. This support means Annette can maintain momentum while completing her doctorate, accelerating the timeline for bringing this potentially game-changing protection to young athletes.

With women leading only 15% of startups in New Zealand and receiving just 18% of venture capital, Annette's success highlights the importance of targeted funding for female innovators.

Congratulations, Annette!