Mate Fertility Launches to Expand Access to Family Planning

Mate Fertility, a Los Angeles-based startup, has secured $2.8 million in funding to address the challenges of cost and accessibility within the fertility clinic landscape across the United States.

The Origins of Mate Fertility

The company was founded by brothers Oliver and Gabriel Bogner, stemming from their personal experiences navigating family planning. Oliver encountered high costs and limited options while exploring IVF for BRCA1 gene screening.

Gabriel, an IVF-conceived member of the LGBTQ community, observed a lack of inclusivity within existing family planning services.

Addressing a Gap in Services

“IVF and surrogacy represented my only path to parenthood,” Gabriel Bogner stated. “The queer community has historically faced barriers to accessing these vital services, prompting my commitment to democratizing healthcare.”

Oliver’s market research revealed a significant disparity in clinic distribution, with only 460 fertility clinics serving the entire U.S., and over 80% concentrated in just five major metropolitan areas.

Expertise and Investment

The Bogner brothers partnered with Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, a renowned reproductive endocrinologist trained by pioneers of In Vitro Fertilization in Britain, to establish Mate Fertility.

Their venture has attracted a diverse group of investors, including Andy Dunn (Bonobos founder), Peter Pham (Science co-founder), Patrick Schwarzenegger, and firms like Rosecliff Ventures and Maschmeyer Group Ventures.

Lowering Costs and Expanding Reach

Mate Fertility is initially launching in Oklahoma City, a market where existing providers charge 10% to 15% above the national average for family planning.

The company aims to offer services at 50% to 60% lower costs than competitors.

Pricing and Profitability

Egg freezing services will be available for as low as $5,000, and IVF for $9,400, significantly below the national average of $15,000 to $18,000 (including medication).

Oliver Bogner emphasized that these lower prices do not compromise profitability. “Current clinics often apply substantial markups to procedures, with some exceeding a 1,000% profit margin.”

The Need for Increased Access

Considering that approximately 18% of the U.S. population may experience fertility issues, the demand for more clinics is substantial.

“We require around 3,000 clinics to adequately serve the population, yet currently have only 460,” Bogner explained. “A significant gap in care exists.”

Clinic Design and Patient Experience

Mate Fertility is collaborating with Heitler Houstoun, the architectural firm behind Dry Bar, to create welcoming and destigmatized clinic environments.

Commitment to Success

Adam Struck, founder of Struck Capital (Mate Fertility’s lead investor), highlighted the importance of their mission. “Creating life is a serious undertaking. Patient success rates are our top priority, and Mate is dedicated to assembling a world-class medical team.”

Comprehensive Services Offered

Mate Fertility provides a range of services, including IVF, genetic screening, egg freezing, surrogacy, and treatments tailored for LGBTQ family building.

These services are supported by modern EHR platforms, an e-pharmacy, established protocols, financial assistance programs, and digital portals for both patients and providers.

Expansion Plans

Initial clinic locations are planned for Oklahoma City, Anchorage (Alaska), Arkansas, Bakersfield (California), Lancaster (Pennsylvania), Austin (Texas), and Portland (Oregon).

*Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the IVF price as $8,000.