Three Fertility Startups Cut Egg Freezing Costs 50% via Shared Models Biotech Data Transparency

Three fertility startups—Cofertility, Freeze, and Gameto—are redefining access to egg freezing by addressing its high costs and limited affordability. These companies, all led by women, are leveraging shared financial models, data transparency, and biotech innovation to reduce the economic and emotional burdens of preserving fertility. Their approaches reflect a growing industry trend to make reproductive healthcare more inclusive, particularly as women increasingly delay childbearing for career or personal reasons [1].

Cofertility eliminates upfront costs by connecting women who agree to donate half their frozen eggs to another individual, allowing participants to freeze their eggs for free. The startup recently secured $7.25 million in Series A funding, bringing its total capital to $16 million. This model shifts the financial risk and responsibility to a cooperative framework, though it raises ethical questions about gamete ownership and consent. By pooling resources, Cofertility reduces individual expenses, such as clinic consultations and storage fees, which traditionally total $15,000–$20,000 per cycle in major U.S. cities [1].

Freeze focuses on transparency by compiling detailed pricing data from over 500 global clinics into its "Compare Clinics" tool. The platform, born from a public Google spreadsheet, helps users navigate the opaque fertility market, which often lacks standardized pricing. While Freeze does not directly lower costs, it empowers consumers to make informed decisions and negotiate better terms with providers. The startup also explores data-sharing incentives, offering free services in exchange for biological data to refine its algorithms—a strategy that aligns with broader trends in healthcare data monetization [1].

Gameto, a biotech firm, is developing a streamlined alternative to traditional IVF. Its technology uses ovarian support cells to mature eggs outside the body, potentially reducing the need for hormone injections and lengthy clinic visits. This "lightweight" IVF approach aims to cut both the time and cost of egg freezing, with the first birth reported using the method last year. By minimizing invasive procedures, Gameto addresses both financial and physical barriers to fertility treatments [1].

The startups’ strategies highlight a shift in the fertility industry toward affordability and accessibility. Traditional egg freezing, which costs $10,000–$20,000 upfront plus annual storage fees, has excluded many potential users. Cofertility’s shared-cost model could halve individual expenses, while Gameto’s biotech innovations may reduce reliance on expensive clinic resources. Meanwhile, Freeze’s data-driven approach fosters competition among providers, potentially driving down prices through market visibility [1].

However, challenges remain. Data privacy concerns, particularly for platforms like Freeze that collect sensitive biological information, could deter users. Regulatory scrutiny is also increasing, as governments seek to oversee digital fertility services. Additionally, the emotional and logistical complexities of egg freezing—such as the psychological weight of decision-making—persist even as costs decline.

The rise of these startups signals a broader reimagining of reproductive healthcare as a preventive, rather than discretionary, service. By framing fertility treatments as essential to long-term planning, they challenge insurers and policymakers to expand coverage. Analysts note that such models could influence future healthcare policies, particularly as demand for egg freezing grows among women who prioritize career development over immediate motherhood [1].

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[1] "3 fertility startups to watch," Fortune, https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/fertility-startups-to-watch-cofertility-freeze-gameto-egg-freezing/