In recent years, the emphasis on career advancement and the increasing age of marriage has led some women to explore the option of preserving their fertility through egg freezing. However, the high cost of the procedure, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 per attempt, often makes it inaccessible for many women during their prime fertile years, which are typically in their 20s and early 30s.
Cofertility, a startup co-founded by former Uber executive Lauren Makler and health tech angel investor Halle Tecco, provides a solution by offering women the opportunity to freeze their eggs at no cost, in exchange for donating half of the retrieved eggs to individuals who are unable to conceive. The startup, now three years old, recently secured $7.25 million in a Series A funding round, led by Next Ventures and Offline Ventures, with contributions from Initialized, Gaingels, and other investors, increasing its total funding to $16 million.
The inspiration for Cofertility came from Makler’s personal experience with fertility challenges. In 2018, she was diagnosed with a rare abdominal disease that required multiple surgeries, posing a risk to her ovaries. In such cases, doctors might suggest egg freezing to young women who wish to have children in the future. However, Makler did not have this option and instead sought to learn more about egg donation.
While exploring egg donation, Makler discovered that donors are compensated for their eggs but was surprised by the high costs associated with certain eggs. The expense increased if she sought a donor egg from someone with similar Jewish heritage or from an educated woman. She likened this pricing model to surge pricing used by Uber, expressing discomfort with the concept.
Although Makler eventually conceived a child naturally, the experience motivated her to create a business that connects young women wanting to preserve their fertility with individuals needing donor eggs. While the concept of egg sharing is not new, Makler asserts that Cofertility is the only company providing eggs on a large scale through its “Split” program. According to Makler, Cofertility maintains a large pool of donors, unlike the limited options typically available at clinics.
The egg donors at Cofertility represent diverse backgrounds, with approximately 55% holding graduate degrees. Intended parents cover the costs associated with egg retrieval and Cofertility’s coordination service, but do not need to compensate the donor, thus reducing their financial burden. Although Makler refrains from describing Cofertility as a marketplace, she acknowledges its marketplace-like functionality, addressing a significant structural issue.
Makler emphasizes that the company’s vision is to eliminate the stigma surrounding egg donation, stating, “There is zero shame in however you become a parent. Doing that with the help of a donor who’s also interested in freezing her own eggs is a really exciting option.”