Andreia Trigo underscored the significance of a female-led startup winning the Road 2 Web Summit.
“It’s something I’m very passionate about, which is encouraging other women to enter this startup world,” stated Andreia Trigo, CEO of Enhanced Fertility and a nurse.
She shared her personal story, revealing, “I was diagnosed with infertility at Santa Maria Hospital over 20 years ago, and it was a challenging diagnostic process involving multiple doctors and exams,” she recounted emotionally.
Andreia Trigo noted it took “many years” to identify her condition, a rare disorder called MRKH, which meant she was born without a uterus.
“It’s very difficult to deal with an inability to conceive at a young age. Therefore, this company for me signifies turning my diagnosis into something positive and doing good in the world,” she expressed.
Enhanced Fertility “helps individuals and fertility clinics achieve a quicker diagnosis through remote diagnostic tests,” she explained, describing ‘kits’ sent via mail requiring a simple finger prick, similar to diabetes tests, to collect blood droplets.
The samples are analyzed in a lab, with results available within 24 hours, and “our algorithm automates diagnosis for both doctors and patients,” Andreia Trigo detailed.
“Our goal is to have a million babies worldwide; we currently have 35 babies, some of whom are Portuguese, but we are available throughout Europe,” the CEO highlighted.
The ‘kits’ are marketed and produced in Lisbon, regulated by Infarmed.
“They are medical devices” offered in seven languages and distributed across Europe, she added.
Enhanced Fertility sells directly to consumers via its website or through clinics.
Last year, 500 tests were sold across Europe.
The team, based in Portugal, joined Unicorn Factory in 2023.
“We have received substantial support from Startup Portugal, which has been transformative,” Andreia Trigo emphasized.
Reflecting on her early entrepreneurial attempts, she noted, “I remember over 20 years ago when I had my first business idea, I made every imaginable mistake without any support. I was just someone trying to improve a hospital system,” she recalled.
Repatriating to Portugal from the UK, she found “an ecosystem that greatly supports companies, especially those led by women, which is rare,” she said, describing the experience as transformational.
The company, consisting of nine employees, plans to expand and is currently raising capital.
“We are currently fundraising for two million euros, having already secured half, and welcome potential investors from Portugal,” she mentioned.
The next step involves “start monitoring prescribed treatments” for patients, which vary among doctors, and linking treatment outcomes to a comprehensive database of pre-treatment data covering symptoms, diseases, genetics, and lifestyles.
The startup is collaborating with clinics in Lisbon, Coimbra, and the Algarve.
This year’s Web Summit, a technology conference launched in Lisbon in 2016, concludes today.
