Cofertility, a startup co-founded by former Uber exec Lauren Makler and health tech angel investor Halle Tecco, is changing all of that. They’re changing the face of fertility choices for women in innovative and dynamic ways. Weigel’s company allows women to freeze their eggs for free, she says. In exchange, they give away half of the eggs they collect to women facing fertility challenges. This creative initiative helps normalize egg donation as a viable and accessible option for women to pursue. Most importantly, it addresses the taboo that still too often surrounds this key discussion.
Under Cofertility’s model, the costs of egg retrieval are paid for by intended parents. This is on top of a coordination fee paid to connect intended parents with practitioners, which is in line with coordination fees in the egg donation industry. In doing so, it takes financial responsibility off the shoulders of those in need and adds to their access to egg freezing through the process Cofertility facilitates.
The startup’s new tech-enabled “Split” program is what really separates it from traditional clinics. Most clinics typically only have a few donors on hand. By comparison, Cofertility is proud to provide access to hundreds of donors for intended parents to choose from. This large talent pool makes it more likely that families looking to grow their families receive the help they need to succeed during their fertility journey.
There is no shame in how you choose to create your family. The possibility of using that donor to freeze her own eggs is incredibly exciting,” said Makler. Her clarion call is at the heart of Cofertility’s purpose. Its goal is to normalize and demystify egg donation as an alternative option for women prioritizing their reproductive wellness.
Cofertility, a 2023 Americaninno Fire startup, just announced raising an impressive $7.25 million in a Series A funding round. Next Ventures and Offline Ventures co-led this new round of funding. The company has now raised $16m in total. This funding further solidifies the company’s remarkable momentum and development, both in the sphere of fertility advancement.
Makler saw the challenges facing the current state of egg donation. He characterized it as, “It was kind of like surge pricing for egg donors, and that seemed really icky. This personal experience underscores the vital need for a more efficient, safe, and morally sound model for egg donation. Cofertility is dedicated to fulfilling that dream.
Through its unique co-fertility model, Cofertility gives women and families more power over their reproductive choices. It is dedicated to removing barriers that still exist around egg donation. The company has hundreds of these donors on standby at any given time. Its mission is to revolutionize the egg donation journey and restore hope to those battling the adversity of fertility.
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