Enabling conception to be what it was always meant to be - A Blessing

Having faced this first hand, I don't want any one to undergo the emotional rollercoaster that comes along with striving for a child when you have been demarcated as ones with low hope. Fertility issues and problems with conceiving a child are much more prevalent now than society would rather talk about. The bad news - it is only going to get worse with our increasingly strenuous lifestyle choices and the sometimes unjustified passion with which we approach the question of what means we wish to provide to whomever we bring into this world - thus delaying the time at which we might wish to conceive. It literally becomes a chicken and egg story - pardon the pun.

"For eff sake, I will cry already - what is the good news Shubbankar?" For one - science keeps progressing, and two something big in terms of a business idea might be lurking us in the face but we are shy as a society to veer into that direction this often across our young years.

Summary of Business Idea

Let us think about any postpaid telephone plan that you get with a new mobile device. You pay something down up front, and then keep paying what you owe across the contractual period of a few years.

Think about education funds across the globe. As soon as your child comes into the world, you start to plan their education which will be immensely expensive - in your head at least. Let the child grow up already, lol. But it is good planning nonetheless no matter how much I am smirking at that dad joke. This is often a regular payment but without anything paid upfront in lump sum as a down payment.

Why don't we merge a few concepts of the two to try to come up with a financial plan for individuals to save for their future fertility needs? Here's how it might probably work:

1. An individual would make an initial down payment to start a "fertility fund" at our hypothetical company called "Sonlin".
2. The individual would then make regular monthly payments, similar to paying off a loan, to increase their balance. As with an education fund, this balance can be reinvested (but not mandatory) according to the individual's choices with the motivation of growing it.
3. The purpose and goal for this fund is for the individual to have enough money saved as their balance to cover the cost of fertility treatments if needed in the future. If the individual does not end up needing the money for fertility treatments, they could have the option to receive the balance back, receive a service in lieu, or donate it a portion or all of it to another person in need.
4. An individual would be able to initiate this plan between ages 18 and 30 (say) or by parents for any individual when they are as young as 12 years old (say).
5. You necessarily don't need to contribute every year but there are conditions associated with some of that. For every year you don't contribute, you will have to wait 30 days to getting your balance back at the time of taking it back (say). If you haven't contributed two subsequent years, any other person more in need of those funds will be able to buy your balance from you at 80% the cost (again, say). This does not mean the individual who didn't pay for two years loses 20% of their balance. It just means Sonlin paid for 20% the cost but now the individual from whom balance was bought out has no balance, and is also without the incremental additions that reinvestments would have otherwise brought in.

This type of plan could provide individuals with a way to save for their future fertility needs while also incentivising them to visit a fertility clinic on a yearly basis to ensure their financial plan stays on track.

Why do I think this is a massive business idea? I never thought I could come up with a "verb idea" - "Uber it" , "Google it", "Venmo me", etc. But his essentially will be a verb idea. "After marriage, when do you want to have a baby? Never mind, we will just Sonlin it".

It will essentially remove that question from dates and arrange marriages altogether. Every child will have a Sonlin account, and there will be no pressure on women to conceive at any point. "But isn't the biological clock still clicking, Shubbankar?" It is but we now have resources to put plans in place for everything. Having "Sonlin'd it" might become synonymous with women having had their eggs frozen with a portion of their balance, with a good portion still remaining. This might undoubtedly give us new problems of bigger age gaps and thus some generation gap as well, but please - one problem at a time people ;-) !!

Founder Hypothetical Introduction: 

Our company is dedicated to helping individuals plan for their future fertility needs and overcome the challenges associated with infertility.

We have developed a unique business model that allows individuals to make an initial down payment to start a "fertility fund" at a clinic and make regular monthly payments to increase their fund balance. The goal is for the individual to have enough money saved in their tab balance to cover the cost of fertility treatments if needed in the future.

Our target customer segments are individuals between the ages of 15 and 45 who are interested in planning for their future fertility needs and parents of children who want to ensure their children are able to have a healthy and balanced life. We offer a range of services, including regular check-ups, annual tests and reports, recommended interventions via AI, and IVF and IUI related activities.

We have established partnerships with key players in the fertility industry, including fertility specialists, drug companies, activity and gym sponsors, gyms and centers promoting activity, and insurance companies. These partnerships allow us to provide comprehensive and personalized services to our customers.

Our revenue streams come from monthly payments from individuals, partnerships with insurance companies and drug companies, and additional services provided by our partner clinics. Our cost structure includes costs associated with setting up the platform for transactions and contributions, hiring a team of fertility specialists, operating a network of clinics, partnerships with drug companies and insurance companies, and costs associated with providing regular check-ups, annual tests, and interventions.

Our company is revolutionizing the way individuals plan for their future fertility needs; to build a financial plan for individuals to save for their future fertility needs.

Problem Statement

• Fertility treatments can be expensive and often not covered by insurance.
• Many individuals delay starting a family because of financial constraints, leading to added stress and health complications.
• Currently, there is no convenient and affordable way for individuals to plan and save for their future fertility needs.

Solution

• Our solution is a fertility savings plan that works similar to a tab in the telecom industry.
• Individuals make an initial down payment to start a "fertility fund" at a clinic and then make regular monthly payments to increase their tab balance.
• The goal is for the individual to have enough money saved in their balance to cover the cost of fertility treatments if needed in the future.

Key Features and Benefits

• Regular check-ups and annual tests: To ensure the individual's financial plan stays on track and their health is monitored.
• AI-based recommended interventions: To provide personalized recommendations based on the individual's health and fertility status.
• A way to transact and contribute to this plan for the long term: To allow individuals to plan and save for their future fertility needs over an extended period.
• Reverting into the system or recouping the money: To provide flexibility to individuals who do not end up needing the money for fertility treatments.

Customer Segments

• Our customer segments are individuals aged 15 to 50 comprising both - who want to plan for their future fertility needs and parents who want to secure their child's future fertility.

Key Partners

• Our key partners include doctors who are specialists in fertility, drug companies who are specialists in fertility, activity and gym sponsors, gyms and centers promoting activity, and insurance companies.

Revenue Streams

• Our revenue streams include initial down payments, monthly payments, and transaction fees.

Cost Structure

• Our cost structure includes costs associated with providing regular check-ups and annual tests, AI-based recommendations, and transactions.

Market Potential

• The global fertility market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, providing a large market opportunity for our solution.

Conclusion

• We believe that our solution has the potential to disrupt the fertility market and provide a much-needed solution to individuals planning for their future fertility needs.
• In conclusion, our company is addressing a real problem faced by many individuals, and we believe that our solution has the potential to make a significant impact in the market

We believe that there is a significant market opportunity for this product and that our unique approach to addressing infertility issues sets us apart from our competitors. We are seeking investment to expand our operations and bring our product to more customers. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Customer Journey

1. Awareness: The customer becomes aware of the fertility savings plan through advertising, word of mouth, or other marketing channels. They begin to research the product and consider whether it is right for them.
2. Consideration: The customer considers their options for saving for their future fertility needs, including traditional savings accounts, loans, and the fertility savings plan. They weigh the pros and cons of each option and determine which is the best fit for their needs.
3. Decision: The customer decides to sign up for the fertility savings plan and makes an initial down payment to start their tab at the clinic.
4. Onboarding: The customer is onboarded into the fertility savings plan and receives information on how to make regular monthly payments, what their tab balance will be used for, and what the benefits of the plan are.
5. Regular check-ups: The customer receives regular check-ups from fertility specialists and receives annual tests and reports to track their fertility status. They also receive personalized recommendations and interventions via AI.
6. Adding funds: The customer has the option to add funds to their tab balance as needed, either through regular monthly payments or one-time contributions.
7. IVF or IUI treatments: If the customer needs IVF or IUI treatments, they use their tab balance to cover the cost of the treatments.
8. Outcome: If the customer does not need the treatments, they have the option to receive the balance back, receive a service in lieu, or donate it to another person in need.
9. Follow-up: The customer receives follow-up support from fertility specialists and continues to receive regular check-ups and updates on their fertility status.

The Jobs to be Done

1. Planning for their future fertility needs: The customers want to have a plan in place for their future fertility needs and ensure that they have the necessary funds to cover the costs of fertility treatments if needed.
2. Taking control of their fertility: The customers want to be in control of their fertility and have peace of mind that they have a plan in place for the future.
3. Avoiding financial stress associated with fertility treatments: The customers want to avoid the financial stress associated with fertility treatments and have a way to save for the cost of treatments over time.
4. Receiving personalized recommendations and services: The customers want to receive personalized recommendations and services based on their individual needs and circumstances.
5. Staying informed about their fertility status: The customers want to stay informed about their fertility status and receive regular check-ups, annual tests, and recommended interventions via AI.
6. Having a flexible and convenient savings plan: The customers want a flexible and convenient savings plan that they can easily contribute to and modify as needed.
7. Receiving support from fertility specialists: The customers want to receive support from fertility specialists who can provide guidance and recommendations throughout the process.

Business Model Canvas

Product Line - Features and Benefits

Initial Down Payment: The customer makes an initial down payment to start their tab at the clinic. This payment sets the foundation for the customer's fertility savings plan.

Features:

• Low initial investment
• Easy to set up and start saving
• Ability to start small and add funds as needed

Benefits:

• Provides a secure way to save for future fertility needs
• Offers peace of mind and reduces stress
• Increases the likelihood of being able to afford fertility treatments if needed

Regular Monthly Payments: The customer makes regular monthly payments to increase their tab balance. This helps the customer build up their savings and ensures that their fertility plan stays on track.

Features:

• Affordable monthly payments
• Automated payment process
• Ability to adjust payments as needed

Benefits:

• Provides a consistent and reliable way to save for fertility treatments
• Helps ensure that the customer has enough funds when they need them
• Offers flexibility to adjust payments as needed

Check-Ups and Tests: The customer receives regular check-ups and tests from fertility specialists. This helps track the customer's fertility status and identify any potential issues early on.

Features:

• Regular check-ups and tests
• Personalized recommendations and interventions via AI
• Access to fertility specialists

Benefits:

• Provides peace of mind and reduces stress
• Increases the likelihood of successful fertility treatments
• Increases the chances of having a healthy pregnancy

IVF or IUI Treatments: If the customer needs IVF or IUI treatments, they can use their tab balance to cover the cost of the treatments.

Features:

• Access to leading fertility specialists
• High-quality fertility treatments
• Use of tab balance to cover treatment costs

Benefits:

• Increases the likelihood of successful fertility treatments
• Offers a secure and reliable way to finance fertility treatments
• Reduces the financial burden of fertility treatments

Competition:

1. Traditional savings and investment options: Individuals may choose to save for their future fertility needs through traditional savings and investment options, such as a savings account or a retirement account.
2. Fertility clinics: Fertility clinics may offer their own savings or financing options for individuals seeking fertility treatments.
3. Insurance companies: Insurance companies may offer insurance coverage for fertility treatments, which could be a more affordable option for some individuals.

Risks:

1. Lack of customer interest: There is a risk that the target market may not show enough interest in this business idea, which would result in low customer adoption.
2. Regulatory restrictions: There may be regulatory restrictions on the type of financial plan that can be offered for fertility treatments, which could impact the viability of this business idea.
3. Technological advancements: Technological advancements in the field of fertility treatments may make the concept of a "fertility tab" obsolete.
4. Market saturation: The market for fertility treatments may become saturated, leading to decreased demand for this type of financial plan.
5. Unforeseen costs: There may be unforeseen costs associated with running this business, such as the cost of acquiring key resources or the cost of marketing to potential customers.

Final Thoughts

This seems too simple an idea to be a "verb idea". I agree. I also might be a little biased given my personal turmoil with this problem so one has to take that with a pinch of salt as well.

Regardless of those things, I see there being a lot of value in a lot more conversations, and even more action on this. Freezing eggs for example should be second nature in our society but it isn't.

Finally, two things I see being pivotal for this issue. One is how expensive and uncertain it is, and the second being the number of decisions a couple has to make and keep their sanity all along this journey. Both of those aspects are being addressed here - wherein we are tackling this problem as a society and alleviating the mental stress with not having the finances to overcome such a verdict. Every unit of decrease in stress for our communities means a better outcome and less expenses on such issues. And we are also reducing the decisions you have to take by being a guide all along.

I hope you found that useful. This was personal - and so I end with this - please feel free to connect with me if you or anyone wants to get in touch for anything related to this issue. Happy to be a sounding board at the least and share whatever experiences we had.

Thanks and hoping you go build this :-)