A Chat with Morten G. Ulsted, CEO & Co-Founder at Reproductive Health Technology Company: ExSeed Health

“The biggest innovation in male fertility isn’t a device – it’s empowering men to take responsibility earlier than ever before.”

Tell us about ExSeed Health

ExSeed Health is a reproductive health technology company dedicated to transforming how men engage with their fertility. Although male factor issues contribute to around half of all infertility cases, testing and treatments, as well as the public discourse, have historically focused on women. That imbalance has placed an enormous emotional, logistical, and treatment burden on women and delayed meaningful action from men.

Our goal is to shift that paradigm completely.

We’ve built a clinically robust home sperm testing platform that allows men to understand their fertility quickly, privately, and accurately – without the stigma, inconvenience, or embarrassment that often keeps men from seeking help. More than 65,000 tests have now been performed using ExSeed, and every one of those tests represents a man who might otherwise never have checked his fertility.

ExSeed Health was founded in 2017 and today we operate internationally, supporting individuals, clinics, corporates, and healthcare organisations. Our mission is simple:

Earlier testing, earlier understanding, earlier treatment – and ultimately, better outcomes for men and couples.

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

The idea for ExSeed was born from a combination of personal experience and an awareness of a huge unmet need. My co-founder Dr Emil Andersen and I started the company after realising just how difficult, uncomfortable, and inaccessible male fertility testing was for most people.

Men didn’t test early. Many didn’t test at all. And when they did, the clinic experience was rarely supportive or convenient.

We believed technology could remove these barriers – and more importantly, empower couples to act sooner. Early detection matters: when male fertility issues are identified early, lifestyle changes, clinical pathways, and treatment planning can be significantly more effective.

We wanted to build something that removed the friction and stigma entirely. A tool that fit into modern life, provided clear insights, and helped couples take steps long before reaching crisis point. That’s how ExSeed began.

Tell us about your core product: the ExSeed Home Sperm Test Kit

Our core product is the ExSeed Home Sperm Test Kit, which uses clinically validated, purpose built AI-powered technology to provide accurate sperm analysis through a smartphone. The test measures Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) – one of the strongest indicators of male fertility – by analysing concentration, motility, and sample volume.

The focus in our design has always been ease of use, reliability, and clear actionable results.

Men can test from home, receive lab-grade results within minutes, and access personalised lifestyle guidance, medical pathways, and educational resources directly in the app. For many, it’s the first time they’ve engaged with their fertility in a meaningful way.

We’ve intentionally removed friction from every step:

• No clinic visits
• No awkward rooms
• No long waiting times
• Clear explanations instead of confusing lab reports
• Ongoing support, not just a number

The result is a testing experience that finally meets men where they are and encourages earlier, proactive engagement.

What excites you most about the fertility industry?

The fertility landscape is evolving fast, and what excites me most is the shift toward education, empowerment, and earlier action. For too long, fertility conversations happened too late, often after years of silent struggle- but digital health tools are changing that.

Today, we can reach men earlier, give them clear information, and make fertility part of everyday health rather than a taboo topic. Seeing people use our platform not just to test, but to learn, improve, and communicate openly with their partners is hugely rewarding.

We’re also encouraged by the increasing recognition that male fertility matters just as much as female fertility – something we’ve advocated for since day one. As the sector continues to modernise, we believe ExSeed will play a leading role in improving access, awareness, and outcomes.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

One of the biggest challenges in male fertility has been cultural – but it could only be addressed through technology.

Despite male factor infertility contributing to around half of all fertility challenges, societal focus has overwhelmingly been on women. This imbalance has created:

• A reluctance among men to test
• A delayed path to diagnosis
• An emotional and physical burden placed disproportionately on women
• A lack of awareness of how lifestyle and health affect sperm quality

Breaking through decades of stigma and silence requires persistence, empathy, and education – supported by tools that make action possible. By combining clinically credible technology with an accessible, supportive experience, we’re seeing more men take responsibility earlier, not because they’re pressured to, but because they feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Changing attitudes is difficult. Building a solution that removes barriers and delivers trusted insight is what makes that change possible.

What is your number one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Choose a problem you care deeply about.

Building a company is hard – emotionally, financially, and practically. But when the mission matters to you, the work becomes meaningful, and the harder days become easier to push through.
For me, working in fertility isn’t just about technology. It’s about helping real people at one of the most emotionally challenging moments of their lives. When you care deeply about the outcome, you stay passionate, resilient, and committed over the long term.

So my advice is:

Pick a problem that feels important, human, and close to your heart – and build something that genuinely makes life better for others.

What can we hope to see from ExSeed in the future?

Our long-term vision is to give every man and every couple access to fast, accurate, clinically meaningful fertility insights – wherever they are in the world.

Looking ahead, you can expect to see:

• Continued advancements in our testing technology
• Even more seamless and intuitive app experiences
• Deeper clinical integrations with fertility clinics and healthcare providers
• New tools that make early detection and ongoing monitoring easier than ever
• Expanded research and educational initiatives
• Larger-scale partnerships that make at-home male fertility testing as normal as blood pressure or cholesterol checks
• We believe a future is possible where fertility testing is proactive rather than reactive – and where men play an equal, informed role in conception and reproductive health.

Our mission is to make male fertility testing as routine as any other health check – because earlier action leads to better outcomes for everyone.