Startups Helping You Start A Family And Have Kids

Starting a family can be a very special and important journey for many. The planning process, on its own, is a key part of every family’s lives. It also requires accessibility to different resources, to make sure that the best decisions are made for the future.

A recent study by the Advisory Group On Contraception found that 7.4 million women aged 15 to 44 in England live in places where they have no local plan to reduce and address the issue of unplanned pregnancies. The study found that 1/3 of councils have no plan to address unplanned pregnancies, while 43% are currently developing one. Only 20% of commissioners reported having a plan. Even with the government’s health policies, unplanned pregnancies continue to affect many.

 

How Authorities Are Handling Unplanned Pregnancies

 

Since the Government ended its national Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in 2010 and changed the responsibility for commissioning sexual health services to local authorities last year, concerns have grown about decreased investment and focus on the issue. Harry Walker, FPA’s Policy and Parliamentary Manager said, “We were right to be worried. Millions of women in England need information, advice, and unrestricted access to contraceptive services.”

Walker urged for local commissioners to assess the sexual and reproductive health needs of women in their areas and provide services accordingly. Schools, communities, individuals and caregivers should all act together to promote safer and more responsible decisions when it comes to such a big milestone.

The startup scene is also finding practical ways to help women and families. Many offer products or services that make the planning process more informed, and with the best support:

 

10 Startups Helping With Family Planning And Planned Pregnancies

 

 

1. Hormony

 

 

Hormony (Prelude Health) is a new subscription-based solution which allows women to measure, monitor and track their hormones to understand whether they are experiencing perimenopause, and whether they can still conceive. While most at-home tests focus on fertility alone, the market addressing perimenopause is virtually nonexistent, and yet women don’t understand how this phase affects their hormones and fertility. Using the only rapid, at-home salivary cortisol test in the world, Hormony tests offer results in minutes.

Hormony allows women to monitor fluctuating hormonal patterns, and provides insights and evidence to hyper-personalise results in the AI-powered Hormony app. The Hormony app also offers specialist support, allowing women to speak to OB-GYNs, endocrinologists, nutritionists and more, which saves women time and money. Women can experience perimenopause as young as their 30s, and yet there is a dearth of information on how this affects their career and fertility. Hormony empowers women to take control of their hormones, allowing them to make informed decisions about family planning and understand how their hormones are changing.

 

2. Flo Health

 

 

Flo Health is the #1 downloaded women’s health app worldwide, supporting nearly 70 million monthly active users.

With a team of over 120 medical experts, Flo is committed to supporting women at every stage of their health journey, from menstruation to conception, pregnancy, and menopause. It provides curated cycle and ovulation tracking, tailored health insights, daily bite-sized visual content, and a private community for users to share their questions and concerns.

As part of its mission to build a better future for female health, Flo’s Pass it on Project aims to improve health literacy by providing up to 1 billion women in need with free access to Flo Premium.

Flo prioritises safety and focuses on being the most trusted digital source for women’s health information. Flo Health’s Anonymous Mode feature was recognised as one of TIME’s Best Inventions 2023 and also named a finalist for Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards in the Rapid Response category as part of the company’s commitment to privacy.

 

3. Compt

 

 

Compt is a leading HR software company that empowers companies to offer personalised lifestyle benefits, enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity. We understand the importance of supporting employees’ family planning needs and provide innovative solutions to make this process easier.

Compt offers a health and wellness stipend as well as an out-of-state care stipend specifically designed to support employees who may not be able to access fertility care in their home state. Our flexible benefits platform allows employees to choose the best options for their family planning journey, whether it involves fertility treatments, wellness support, or other family-related needs. By prioritising inclusive and customisable benefits, Compt is committed to helping individuals navigate their family planning goals with confidence and ease.
 

 

4. Legacy Bundles

 

 

Shannon and Anthony Taylor started Legacy Bundles knowing there had to be an easier, more cost-effective way to keep kids in nice clothes that fit. Their goal was to help parents keep up with clothes that fit their kids and their budgets while saving time and storage space.

Legacy Bundles, the one-for-one baby clothing swap where parents can trade 30 outgrown, unwanted, clean kids’ clothes for “new-to-you” items that fit, all for one low price of $39. Their goal was to help parents keep up with clothes that fit their kids and their budgets while saving time and storage space. Legacy Bundles is helping parents save on clothing items, which is of course one of the most expensive areas for parents.

 

5. ZEM Life

 

 

ZEM Life was created after one of the co-founders lost his son unexpectedly to a fentanyl overdose. He felt tremendous guilt wondering if there was more he could have done. Out of this pain grew a purpose to do good. Steve Muth, the above mentioned father, and Dr. Joanna Sawyer worked together to create a smartwatch device that can hold medication cartridges and auto-inject in need of emergency (or timeliness). The flagship cartridge is Narcan, in memory of Steve’s son. However, the team saw tremendous value in the ability to auto-inject medications and is now working on cartridges for cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, venomous bites and so much more.

Timed fertility is another important vertical they are focusing on. With a staggering increase on rates of infertility, many are turning to science and medication to help. Being able to carry your medication on you and eliminate the need for consistently setting alarms to take your prescriptions, gives an element of freedom back to the patient.

 

6. Healthcare Navigator

 

 

The Healthcare Navigator a groundbreaking platform designed to empower families with essential healthcare insights and financial planning tools.

Our digital modules help families:

• Compare hospital procedure prices and quality scores
• Access low-cost medications and labs
• Evaluate doctors
• Receive AI-driven assistance in medical bill lowering/negotiations

These features enable families to make informed care choices and manage healthcare costs effectively, avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Our platform’s success includes partnerships with Rice University, the National Patient Advocacy Foundation, and USI Insurance Services. Our female leadership team, with alumni from Rice University, Harvard Medical School, and Wharton School of Business, drives this initiative.

We offer affordable medications and lab services through our partnership with Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs Company, saving users an average of $4,080.

The Healthcare Navigator aims to significantly impact American families in their journey to pregnancy and financial literacy, ensuring they can plan and manage healthcare costs with confidence.

 

7. Binto

 

 

Binto is a women’s health company specialising in personalised healthcare solutions. We are founded and fully run by female health providers who specifically came from the fertility world and have a large focus on helping people plan for their fertility and family planning.

We offer tailored subscriptions of supplements and products designed to support reproductive health, including fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum needs, because the Binto providers understand that every body is different. Binto combines expert-backed educational content, a supportive community, and innovative digital tools like telehealth consults to help women navigate their health journeys with confidence and convenience.

 

8. Yazen Health

 

 

Yazen Health is a digital health platform offering a comprehensive approach to obesity treatment by integrating services from doctors, dietitians, psychologists, and personal trainers. Their 360° support system ensures that each patient receives a personalised treatment plan, continuously adjusted in real-time based on their progress. Through ongoing monitoring and feedback, patients can quickly address any issues or barriers, allowing for seamless follow-ups and sustained success.

A unique focus of Yazen Health is assisting women who are struggling to conceive. Excess weight can significantly impact fertility, reducing the chances of pregnancy. By helping women achieve a healthy weight, we aim to enhance their fertility outcomes. Their tailored weight loss programmes are designed not only to support overall health but also to specifically improve the chances of pregnancy for women facing fertility challenges.

In addition to one-on-one support, Yazen provides access to a wealth of resources, including nutritional information, educational courses on weight management, and an online community. These tools empower patients to build sustainable habits, supporting long-term weight maintenance even with ongoing medication use. By merging medication with holistic digital support, Yazen Health creates personalised, long-term care plans that address each individual’s unique needs and goals, including family planning.
 

9. Viya Health

 

 
Viya Health, a PSI Social Business, is transforming lives in over 20 lower- and middle-income countries by ensuring equitable access to healthcare for women and girls and their partners in a digitally-enabled health and wellness ecosystem that provides comprehensive support throughout their sexual wellness journey. Viya Health is designed to support people throughout their lifetime, by offering a go-to place for affordable and high-quality information, products and services tailored to different life stages.
 

10. InCircle Fertility

 

 
At InCircle Fertility we know all too well how taxing the infertility process can be: emotionally, financially, physically and relationally. Trying to conceive can take over your life, leaving you drained, depressed, isolated and alone.

Too often during this struggle, there is a gap between the clinical approach of doctors and the well-meaning, but frequently off-the-mark input from friends and family. There is much information to sort through, many decisions to be made and few people in your daily life that can relate.

InCircle Fertility is a built-in support system to lean-on, and a resource to help you navigate this difficult and complex process.

Through one on one coaching we work through:
– Strategies and tips for an emotionally resilient experience
– Decision Making Guidance and Support
– Preparing for doctors visits and procedures
– Financing your fertility journey
– Fertility Resources

Whether you need help finding the right doctor or you need a shoulder to cry on. Whether you need to talk through choosing a course of treatment or vent about another pregnancy announcement on social media. Whether you need an advocate beside you at your next appointment or a pep-talk after a failed cycle – InCircle is here.