Cofertility: Freezing Eggs & Sharing Hope for Future Families
In today's world, many women are prioritizing their careers and delaying marriage. This often leads them to consider egg freezing as a way to preserve their fertility. However, the high cost, typically ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per attempt, makes it inaccessible for many during their most fertile years, their 20s and early 30s.
Enter Cofertility, a startup with a groundbreaking solution. Founded by Lauren Makler, a former Uber executive, and Halle Tecco, a health tech angel investor, Cofertility offers women the opportunity to freeze their eggs for free. The catch? They donate half of the retrieved eggs to individuals or couples who are unable to conceive naturally.
This innovative approach addresses two critical issues: the financial burden of egg freezing and the shortage of donor eggs. Cofertility's "Split" program is unique in its scale, providing intended parents with a significantly larger pool of potential donors compared to traditional clinics.
The Inspiration Behind Cofertility
The idea for Cofertility arose from Makler's own personal experience. After being diagnosed with a rare abdominal disease in 2018, she faced multiple surgeries that threatened her ovaries. While doctors suggested egg freezing, it wasn't a viable option for her at the time. This led her to research egg donation, where she discovered the exorbitant costs involved.
Makler realized the need for a more equitable and accessible system, one that connects women who want to preserve their fertility with those who need donor eggs. While she eventually conceived naturally, her experience fueled her passion to create Cofertility.
How Cofertility Works
Cofertility operates through its "Split" program, which allows women to freeze their eggs at no cost in exchange for donating half of them. Intended parents cover the egg retrieval costs and a coordination fee to Cofertility, similar to the standard egg donation process. However, they avoid the hefty compensation typically paid to egg donors, significantly reducing their overall expenses.
Makler emphasizes that Cofertility is not just a marketplace; it's a solution to a structural problem within the fertility industry. The company's vision is to destigmatize egg donation and promote the idea that there's "zero shame" in using donor eggs to build a family.
Recent Funding and Future Goals
Cofertility has recently secured $7.25 million in a Series A funding round, led by Next Ventures and Offline Ventures. This brings the company's total funding to $16 million, which will be used to expand its services and reach more women and families. With a diverse pool of donors, many of whom hold graduate degrees, Cofertility is revolutionizing the egg donation process and making fertility preservation and family building more accessible.
Source: TechCrunch