The Growing Trend of Egg Freezing and Its Challenges
In recent years, the focus on career advancement and delayed marriage has led many women to explore fertility preservation options like egg freezing. This procedure allows women to preserve their eggs during their most fertile years—typically their 20s and early 30s—for use later in life. However, the high cost of egg freezing, which can range from $10,000 to $15,000 per attempt, makes it inaccessible for many who would otherwise consider it.
Understanding the Cost Barrier
Egg freezing is a complex medical process that involves hormone treatments and surgical procedures, contributing to its steep price tag. For many women, this financial hurdle prevents them from pursuing the option at a time when their eggs are most viable. The disparity between the desire to delay childbearing and the inability to afford fertility preservation underscores a growing societal challenge.
Introducing Cofertility: A Solution for Women Seeking Fertility Preservation
Cofertility, a startup co-founded by former Uber executive Lauren Makler and health tech investor Halle Tecco, offers an innovative solution to this issue. Through its “Split” program, Cofertility provides no-cost egg freezing to women in exchange for donating half of their retrieved eggs to individuals or couples struggling to conceive. This model not only addresses the financial barriers associated with fertility preservation but also expands access to donor eggs for those in need.
How Cofertility Came to Be
The inspiration for Cofertility stems from Makler’s personal health journey. In 2018, she was diagnosed with a rare abdominal disease that required multiple surgeries and put her ovaries at risk. During this time, she learned about egg freezing as a potential option for preserving fertility but found it unattainable due to cost constraints. Her experience sparked a deeper exploration into egg donation, revealing the high costs and limited availability of donor eggs, particularly for specific ethnic or educational backgrounds.
Makler described her findings as reminiscent of “surge pricing,” drawing parallels to Uber’s peak-demand pricing model. This realization motivated her to create a business that could bridge the gap between women seeking fertility preservation and those needing donor eggs.
Cofertility’s Unique Approach to Egg Donation
While the concept of egg sharing is not entirely new, Cofertility distinguishes itself by operating at scale. Through its Split program, the company maintains a large pool of available donors, ensuring a higher likelihood of matches for intended parents. At any given time, hundreds of donors are accessible through Cofertility, compared to the handful typically available at traditional fertility clinics.
The donors participating in Cofertility’s program come from diverse backgrounds, with approximately 55% holding graduate degrees. Intended parents cover the costs associated with egg retrieval and Cofertility’s coordination services, but they do not pay the donor directly. This approach reduces out-of-pocket expenses for families while enabling donors to preserve their fertility at no cost.
Funding Growth and Future Goals
Cofertility recently secured a $7.25 million Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $16 million. The round was led by Next Ventures and Offline Ventures, with participation from Initialized, Gaingels, and other investors. This financial backing underscores confidence in Cofertility’s mission to make fertility preservation more accessible and affordable.
Breaking Down Barriers and Reducing Stigma
Makler envisions Cofertility as more than just a service provider; it aims to address structural challenges in the fertility industry. By creating a platform that connects donors and intended parents, the company seeks to normalize egg donation and reduce the stigma surrounding non-traditional paths to parenthood. The message is clear: there should be no shame in building a family with the help of a donor, especially when the donor benefits as well.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Greater Accessibility
Cofertility’s innovative model represents a significant step forward in addressing the financial and logistical barriers associated with fertility preservation. By offering women the opportunity to freeze their eggs at no cost while providing much-needed resources to those struggling to conceive, the company is reshaping the landscape of reproductive health. As societal attitudes toward family-building continue to evolve, solutions like Cofertility highlight the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and empowerment in the journey to parenthood.
