A groundbreaking approach to fertility preservation is gaining traction as women increasingly seek alternatives to traditional egg-freezing models. Cofertility, a U.S.-based startup co-founded by former Uber executive Lauren Makler and health-tech investor Halle Tecco, allows individuals to preserve their eggs without financial burden through an innovative sharing initiative.
Under their “Split” programme, participants donate half their retrieved eggs to families struggling with infertility, while retaining the remainder for their own future use. This model addresses the prohibitive costs of egg freezing—typically $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle—which often deter women in their 20s and early 30s from pursuing the procedure during their most fertile years.
The company recently secured $7.25 million in Series A funding from investors including Next Ventures and Offline Ventures, bringing its total raised capital to $16 million.
Makler’s inspiration stemmed from a personal health crisis in 2018, when a rare abdominal condition threatened her ovarian function. Though she eventually conceived naturally, her experience exposed systemic inequities in donor egg pricing.
“It felt sort of like surge pricing for egg donors, which felt icky to me,” she reflected, comparing variable costs based on donor ethnicity and education levels to ride-hailing algorithms.
Prospective donors aged 21 to 33 undergo rigorous medical screenings aligned with FDA guidelines and psychological evaluations before proceeding. The process involves 10-12 days of hormone injections to stimulate egg production, followed by a brief retrieval procedure.
Cofertility reports that participants often yield dozens of mature eggs, with half preserved for their personal use and half allocated to matched families. Intended parents cover retrieval costs and an $8,000 coordination fee, eliminating direct financial compensation to donors—a structure designed to reduce ethical concerns about commodification.
The programme’s donor pool includes significant diversity, with over half holding postgraduate degrees. Nikole, a 27-year-old participant, described helping a single gay father achieve twin parenthood via surrogacy as “life-changing.” Medical professionals note the dual benefit: recipients gain access to high-quality eggs, while donors preserve their fertility during peak reproductive years.
Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Meera Shah emphasises that while egg freezing does not guarantee future pregnancy, earlier intervention improves success rates. For those unwilling to donate, Cofertility offers a self-funded “Keep” programme with discounted rates.
Makler’s vision extends beyond financial accessibility to societal change. “The big vision is removing the taboo of egg donation,” she said. “There’s zero shame in however you become a parent.”
With its unique model, the company is transforming conversations around reproductive autonomy, offering a path that balances personal fertility preservation with compassionate family-building support.