A growing number of men in the US are choosing to freeze their sperm, making way for a slew of startups specializing in male fertility, which is an estimated $4 billion market.
The need is real. Average sperm counts have dropped by 50% from 40 years ago, according to a 2017 study. Freezing early is becoming a go-to option for men concerned about aging, illness, or in high-risk jobs like the military.
Additionally, methods of collecting and storing sperm have improved in the past few years. Previously, a sample had to be evaluated by a medical professional within an hour. But now, healthcare labs provide preservative liquids that help keep the sperm viable for a longer time.
Firms like Legacy offer direct-to-consumer kits that cost $100–$150 per year to collect and store sperm. And the process is simple: collect, preserve with a special fluid, and ship overnight in a tamper-proof case.
The NYC-based company boasts 40,000 customers and $50 million in funding from VC firms and celebrities like Justin Bieber.
Another startup, Fellow, has raised $40 million and serves 11 hospitals and 2,500 clinics. Its preservative keeps samples viable for 52 hours.
These startups are offering discreet, at-home collection kits for sperm that can be mailed easily for storage, eliminating awkward hospital visits.