In recent years, a growing number of women are choosing to delay marriage and focus on their careers, leading to increased interest in preserving their fertility through egg freezing. However, the high cost of this procedure, often ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 per attempt, presents a significant barrier for many women during their most fertile years, typically in their 20s and early 30s. Cofertility, a startup founded by former Uber executive Lauren Makler and health tech angel investor Halle Tecco, is tackling this challenge head-on. The company offers women the opportunity to freeze their eggs at no cost in exchange for donating half of the retrieved eggs to individuals or couples who are unable to conceive. This innovative approach addresses both the financial burden on women seeking to preserve their fertility and the needs of those requiring donor eggs. The inspiration for Cofertility stems from Makler's personal experience. Following a diagnosis of a rare abdominal disease in 2018, which led to multiple surgeries threatening her ovaries, she began exploring options for fertility preservation. While egg freezing was suggested, the high costs made it inaccessible. This experience sparked her interest in egg donation and the realization of the financial strain it placed on both donors and recipients. She noted the high costs associated with finding specific donor profiles, which she likened to “surge pricing.” Fortunately, Makler conceived naturally, but her experience fueled her desire to create a business that connects women who want to freeze their eggs with those who need donor eggs. This led to the creation of Cofertility and its unique “Split” program. While egg sharing isn't a new concept, Cofertility distinguishes itself by offering eggs at scale, providing a much larger and more diverse pool of donors than traditional clinics. According to Makler, Cofertility typically has hundreds of donors available at any given time, increasing the likelihood of a successful match for intended parents. She also notes that a significant portion of their donors, around 55%, hold graduate degrees, adding to the diversity of backgrounds represented. Intended parents using Cofertility cover the egg retrieval costs and a coordination fee, similar to standard egg donation processes. However, they avoid the additional expense of compensating the donor directly, significantly reducing their overall out-of-pocket expenses. This model creates a mutually beneficial arrangement, making egg freezing more accessible for women and reducing the financial burden on those seeking donor eggs. Makler emphasizes that Cofertility is solving a significant structural problem in the fertility industry by removing the taboo surrounding egg donation and promoting the idea that there is no shame in how one becomes a parent. Cofertility recently secured a $7.25 million Series A funding round led by Next Ventures and Offline Ventures, with participation from Initialized, Gaingels, and other investors. This latest round brings the company's total funding to $16 million, demonstrating strong investor confidence in its mission and innovative approach to fertility preservation and egg donation.
