Sequel Tampon, Backed by Cyan Banister, Receives FDA Clearance for "Completely Absorbent" Spiral Design

San Francisco, CA – Sequel, a femtech startup co-founded by two athlete engineers, has secured FDA clearance for its innovative Spiral Tampon, designed for enhanced absorption and leak prevention. The development was highlighted by investor Cyan Banister, who championed the product on social media, emphasizing its significant innovation in a stagnant market. The company has also raised $5 million in seed funding to bring its re-engineered product to market.

The Sequel Spiral Tampon features a patented helical design, a departure from traditional linear grooves, which allows for more even absorption and aims to prevent leakage before the tampon is full. This design is touted as the first major redesign in the tampon category in approximately 80 years. Cyan Banister stated in a recent tweet, "You wouldn't think we'd need another tampon company, but it might surprise you that there hasn't been much innovation in this space - just repackaging."

Founded by Stanford product designers and former high-level athletes Greta Meyer and Amanda Calabrese, Sequel was born from their personal experiences with inadequate period products during athletic competitions. Their mission is to elevate the standard of women's products through superior design and technology, creating a product "completely absorbent to its core and better for sports." Banister added, "If it's good enough for a tennis player, it is good enough for me."

The company's $5 million seed funding round saw participation from notable investors including MaC VC, Pear Accelerator, Long Journey Ventures, Ulu Ventures, Graph Ventures, and angel investor Cyan Banister. This capital is intended to fuel Sequel's market entry and broader launch following its FDA 510(k) clearance. The founders, recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, are poised to disrupt the menstrual care industry.

Sequel has already begun forging strategic partnerships, including becoming the Official Tampon Partner of the Indiana Fever, making their products available to players and fans. This move underscores the product's focus on supporting active individuals and addressing the specific needs of athletes. The company plans to conduct further consumer trials before a full-scale product rollout in the coming year.