Female Founder Friday: In Conversation with Nancy Scotford, Co-Founder of GET RUDE – Redefining Pleasure Tech

This week, we sit down with Nancy Scotford, a trailblazing entrepreneur transforming the world of sex tech by challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of sensory innovation.

With a background that spans funding, IoT investments, and an unexpected foray into adult products, Nancy’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. We explore how she’s tackling taboo, redefining pleasure tech, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

FC: Nancy, tell us a bit about your background and how you found yourself in the sex tech space.

NS: Well, my journey into sex tech was a bit unexpected. I started in the world of grant funding and then moved into a science and technology investment role, bringing Chinese investors to the UK to fund IoT projects.

Through a series of serendipitous introductions, I found myself running user research for a major sex toy manufacturer.

That experience opened my eyes to how poorly the market was serving consumers. People were buying products that didn’t meet their needs and tossing them out after a few uses. The market was hiding behind the taboo, and there was a real lack of honest feedback loops between users and manufacturers.

FC: That’s fascinating. So, what gap did you identify, and how did that inform your product development?

NS: We realised that great sex is more than just a quick buzz. It’s about sensory experience, emotional connection, and learning what truly works for your body. Most sex toys are one-dimensional – click, buzz, done. But the best sexual experiences are much more nuanced, involving multiple sensations and feedback loops. Our goal is to replicate that in a tech product.

For instance, the clitoris alone has 247 distinct sensory inputs, and learning what works for someone is incredibly complex. We’re using haptics and sound waves to recreate those sensations and are even developing sensors to detect arousal.

It’s not just about making a product that feels good – it’s about creating a platform that helps users understand their own preferences and enhance their sexual experiences.

FC: How has the market responded? Have investors been open to the idea of a tech-forward sex product?

NS: It’s a mixed bag. The market potential is undeniable – it’s huge at £177BN. But the topic of sex can make people uneasy, especially in the UK, where people can be more reserved.

Getting in front of investors without an introduction can be tough. Some investors shy away simply because of the sector.

That said, we’ve secured some early investment from a high-net-worth individual and backing from an incumbent manufacturer. We’re now speaking with interested parties and are using this summer to build momentum through traction, waitlist growth, and investor validation.

FC: Do you think being a female founder has impacted your fundraising journey?

NS: It’s hard to say definitively. I suspect that if I were a man talking about clitoral stimulation, the reception might be different.

But as a woman and a gay woman, I can speak authentically about what I’m developing. That has its advantages.

FC: What advice would you give to young women considering entrepreneurship?

NS: Start small, but start smart. Validate every part of your idea in the scrappiest, fastest way possible. We identified our core risks early — technical, commercial, and behavioural — and focused on de-risking them one by one. That discipline has served us incredibly well.

Don’t wait too long to commercialise. I wish I’d prioritised early user and revenue signals sooner — it would have made investor conversations move much faster.

Be unapologetic about asking for introductions. I found that awkward at first, but warm doors open faster — and investors aren’t just backing your product, they’re backing you. They want to see resilience, focus, and long-term commitment, so start building relationships early. Other founders will be your greatest allies in this process — in my experience, they’re almost always willing to help.

FC: What’s next for you and GET RUDE?

NS: We’ve secured further angel backing and are now laser-focused on closing the full round after summer. This season is all about building momentum – growing our waitlist, validating early demand, and running a series of invite-only events in Manchester to activate our community. If you want early access or to be part of what we’re building, you can sign up at getrude.co.

It’s a critical window to demonstrate traction and signal. Beyond the raise, we’re focused on refining the product, advancing our tech stack, and scaling a user base that’s ready to explore, learn, and help shape the future of sexual wellbeing.

Nancy Scotford is more than just a founder – she’s a disruptor in a space that’s ripe for innovation. By taking on the complexities of sensory technology, she’s not only building a business but also challenging societal taboos and advocating for open, honest conversations about pleasure.

🔗 Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn

Stay tuned for our next Female Founder Friday, where we’ll continue to highlight incredible women changing the entrepreneurial landscape.

Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst