Barclays Female Founder Accelerator 2023 member
Jack Fertility

Jack Fertility is developing a mail-in sperm test kit, offering lab-grade semen analysis results without needing to set foot in a clinic.
Upon receipt of a posted sample, our lab will send secure digital traffic-light style results and recommendations along with results and next steps, along with an anonymous support community. Our mission is to remove the barriers to men’s reproductive health in the UK, making it as easy as possible to assess male fertility. We aim to empower all people with sperm to start taking control of their fertility journeys, and reduce the fertility burden borne by women.
Why did you apply for the Female Founder Accelerator?
I had hoped that in 2023 there would be no need for a female specific support programme, but since I started Jack Fertility, I have already contended with many of the biases documented in the research as we begin to fundraise. Investors (predominantly male) frequently question my motivation, background, and limitations of the product, while my male business partner only gets questions about possibilities. I know I could use some specific help and coaching to overcome these barriers specifically.
I have long respected the mission and the performance of both AcceleratHER and Barclays, and as a first-time founder, am honoured to learn from both.
Do you think there's a need for programmes like this for Female Founders?
Yes, I do think there is a need for female specific programmes. The single sex nature of the forum allows us to speak candidly about these issues that are very real but hard to talk about in a mixed group. Frequently peer male founders either avoid the gender issue or dismiss it. It’s an entirely different process, I’m finding, to raise as a woman rather than the thousands of accounts I have read written by men. Rather than spending mental energy and running reputational risks, it is invaluable to have a supportive forum where the gender dynamic is lessened.
Why did you want to start your business?
My co-founder, Nick Shipley, had a baby with his wife on the first day of UK lockdown in 2020 during our MBA at Saïd Business School. In the ensuing months, the lack of access to fertility care and the rise in remote health testing inspired us to think about potential applications. As many of our close friends and family battled the pain and frustration of infertility, we knew there must be a better way. By mapping the customer journey with a patient-first mentality, we realised with help from our Oxford friend finishing up her PhD in Reproductive Health, our now co-founder, Maryam Rahbar, we could tackle this taboo problem with a discreet solution. Women bear most of the burden of fertility, and I feel extremely compelled to ensure that the burden of infertility is reduced, while empowering male partners.
What are you looking to get out of this programme?
I am hoping to gain a strong peer and mentor network outside of my siloes of Oxford and Healthtech/femtech. I look forward to using the radically different perspectives to challenge myself and my team as we raise pre-seed.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Hard to choose one! Sarah Blakely’s story of starting Spanx reminds me constantly of the potential women have to build unicorns by understanding inherently gendered problems.
Khaled Kteily, founder of the first mover in remote sperm testing, Legacy in the US, inspires me in my industry as he is so committed to the mission and breaking the taboo.
Close to home, my FemTech Lab cohort and alumni ventures constantly inspire me with their hustle, please check them out!
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Our biggest win was cracking the scientific issue with preserving the sperm sample in the post, which was made financially possible through both the 10,000 GBP grant from FemTech Lab for demonstrating exceptional progress during the FemTech Lab accelerator, surpassing the objectives set over a 12-week period with regular check-ins for accountability, and my Innovate UK Young Innovator 22/23 award grant.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Again, the access to capital issue. The market as we have experienced it seems swept up in the obsession with Enterprise SaaS and DeepTech approaches. As we are a HealthTech with a medical device, we fall outside of the mainstream.
Plus, the gender issue (as mentioned above). Investors (predominantly male) frequently question my motivation, background, and limitations of the product, while my male business partner only gets questions about possibilities. I know I could use some specific help and coaching to overcome these barriers specifically.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
I have been very fortunate to be supported by some incredibly generous and smart people in the greater UK ecosystem. My Said Business School MBA professors and the Creative Destruction Lab mentors really made me realise I could launch Jack. There are so many sources of guidance. In particular I must mention the FemTech Lab team and mentors, the Enterprising Oxford and Increasing Diversity in Entrepreneurial Activities (IDEA) initiative, and Founders & Funders at the University of Oxford, my incredible Innovate UK Innovation Champion Ryan Davies via my Young Innovator Award, and Innovate EDGE support. Oxford Brookes’ Enterprise Hub and the awesome support of Georgie Phillipson at Tech Nation has also been very helpful. Audrey Mandela, serial entrepreneur and Angel Academe board member, and Wellesley UK Club president has also been an incredible support.
What drives you to make your business a success?
The difference our product can make to people's lives. We really do have something that can give people another option than taking their own life because they feel stuck in debt.
Also the team around me and building something amazing with them.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
The mission of Jack Fertility is to remove all barriers to male reproductive healthcare drives me every day. Not only do I hope to ensure that people with sperm are empowered to take control of their fertility and have access to healthcare, I hope we are able to raise awareness of the importance of fertility support to avoid the pain and trauma associated with infertility.