How One Founder's Insurance Denial Built One of the Largest Fertility Marketplaces
When Eran Amir and his husband were denied insurance coverage for surrogacy, he took matters into his own hands to start his own fertility marketplace, GoStork
Introduction
Previously, we spoke with Eran Amir, founder and CEO of GoStork, about how his personal journey as a gay man navigating the surrogacy process inspired him to build a platform that simplifies the path to parenthood for all families.
Since then, GoStork has grown into a leading destination for intended parents, connecting them with surrogacy agencies, egg donors, and fertility clinics worldwide. We recently caught up with Eran to learn how the company has evolved, the impact it’s creating across the fertility industry, and how it continues to break barriers in access to family-building and transparency.
You're about to read that original story along with an update on how GoStork is shaping the future of family-building through technology and empathy.
The origin of GoStork
The intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ community crosses a diverse spectrum of races, genders, and identities. There is no "one" kind of founder, entrepreneur, or investor that is a part of this community. However, there are certain challenges faced by these individuals that do transcend the challenges of others.
Eran Amir grew up in Israel where he studied computer science and business. After 25 years in the tech world, and reaching the milestone age of 40 years, as a gay man he realized that if he wanted to start a family, he'd have to use a surrogacy. But his insurance at the time informed him that because he was gay, surrogacy benefits and expense would not be covered.
As is often the case in tech company origin stories, Eran decided to solve this problem by starting a company that could tackle the problems that both gay and straight couples face when attempting to find a surrogate. And GoStork was born.
Catching Up with Eran and GoStork
Milestones Since the Last Interview
HubSpot for Startups: Since your last interview, what have been the most significant milestones for GoStork?
Eran: Over the past year, we’ve grown to 21,000+ members from 125+ countries, onboarded over 100 vetted fertility providers, and expanded our egg donor database to 10,000+ profiles — making it the largest transparent marketplace of its kind. Also we added fertility providers in Colombia and Mexico.
Stories That Inspire
HSFS: Can you share any recent success stories from GoStork users?
Eran: A couple from Europe recently shared how overwhelming their fertility research had been until they discovered GoStork. Within two weeks on our platform, they matched with both an egg donor and a surrogate agency, saving them months of research and tens of thousands of dollars by being able to compare costs transparently. Their baby is due early next year — a powerful reminder of why we built GoStork.
Turning Experience into Innovation
HSFS: How has your journey influenced new features or directions for GoStork?
Eran: My personal journey showed me how fragmented, opaque, and emotionally taxing the fertility process can be. That’s why we recently launched an AI-powered concierge, available via chat, voice, or video. It educates intended parents about timelines, costs, and laws, while guiding them to the right match. It’s essentially the supportive, knowledgeable partner I wish I’d had when I started my own path.
Looking Ahead
HSFS: What’s next for you and GoStork in the coming years?
Eran: We’re focused on expanding internationally, deepening our provider network, and scaling our AI concierge into a full-service fertility navigator — not just for choosing an egg donor or surrogate, but supporting families from first consultation through birth. We’re also preparing for potential strategic acquisition, as we see larger healthcare players showing interest in fertility marketplaces.
Guidance for Intended Parents
HSFS: What advice do you have for intended parents starting their fertility journey in 2025?
Eran: Do your homework, ask every question, and don’t settle for vague answers. Transparency is key — in costs, medical outcomes, and legal protections. Surround yourself with trusted experts, and remember that you’re not alone: communities, technology, and platforms like GoStork exist to give you clarity and control.
Building an Inclusive Future
HSFS: What role does inclusivity play in GoStork’s mission today?
Eran: Inclusivity is at our core. Families come in many forms — LGBTQ+, single parents, international parents — and we’ve designed GoStork to support all paths to parenthood.
Priorities Over Funding
HSFS: Did you receive any recent funding or awards?
Eran: No, we haven’t raised additional funding or received new awards recently. Instead, our focus has been on investing in product development, expanding our provider network, and scaling our AI concierge.
Overcoming Platform Challenges
HSFS: What recent challenges have you faced with the platform, and how did you overcome them?
Eran: Earlier this year, we faced a Stripe account hack that caused serious financial strain. It was a wake-up call, and we responded by tightening our financial infrastructure, adding enhanced fraud protection, and diversifying payment flows. Transparency with our community was critical, and we came out stronger, with new safeguards that protect both our users and our business.
HubSpot's Role in GoStork's Growth
HSFS: What were the key features of HubSpot that made it the right choice for GoStork’s sales and marketing teams?
Eran: HubSpot gave us a single source of truth for tracking intended parents through a long, complex journey. The CRM’s automation allows us to nurture relationships at scale, while reporting dashboards help us refine messaging based on real user behavior. Its ease of use made adoption seamless for our lean team.
Streamlining Operations Through Integration
HSFS: Have you integrated HubSpot with other tools or platforms to enhance GoStork’s operations?
Eran: Yes — we’ve integrated HubSpot with Stripe, Zoom, and our internal provider database. This means when a parent books a consultation or completes a payment, the data flows directly into HubSpot, triggering tailored follow-ups and keeping the entire team aligned. It’s been a game-changer for efficiency and personalization.
GoStork’s Mission Continues to Guide Families with Care
For Eran Amir, GoStork is more than just a business—it’s a movement toward clarity, compassion, and inclusion in the fertility journey. As both a founder and a parent, Eran brings lived experience to a mission that’s reshaping how families begin.
Eran Amir’s vision for transparency and inclusion has turned GoStork into a prominent and verified fertility marketplace that continues to evolve through guidance, global expansion, and community trust.
As the platform grows worldwide, Eran remains focused on one mission - ensuring that every path to parenthood feels informed, supported, and possible.
