From Oxford MBA to Startup CEO with Lily Elsner, Co-Founder of Jack Fertility

Oxford+

In this episode, Susannah de Jager welcomes Lily Elsner, CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility. The conversation explores Lily’s journey from the US, to becoming a startup founder in Oxford. Lily shares her experiences across various roles in Oxford, highlighting how the support ecosystem within Oxford helped to shape her entrepreneurial path. The conversation also focuses on Jack Fertility, how the service aims to address male infertility, the hurdles faced by female founders, the potential for more integrated ecosystems in Oxford and the importance of gender inclusivity in business leadership

• (00:00) - Introduction to Male Infertility
• (00:26) - Meet Lily Elsner: CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility
• (01:52) - Lily's Journey to Oxford and Career Path
• (03:21) - The Oxford Ecosystem and Its Opportunities
• (04:26) - Challenges and Opportunities in Oxford
• (08:57) - Founding Jack Fertility: The Inspiration and Journey
• (15:18) - Breaking Taboos and Technological Innovations
• (18:45) - Barriers to Male Fertility Treatment
• (21:17) - Innovative Postal Fertility Testing
• (23:54) - Direct-to-Consumer vs. B2B Models
• (25:09) - Challenges in the UK Investment Landscape
• (28:04) - Current Fundraising Efforts
• (31:53) - Gender Bias in Venture Capital
• (37:45) - Strategies to Mitigate Gender Bias
• (41:53) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About the guest:
Lily Elsner is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility, the first postal sperm testing service. With a background in Biological Sciences and Philosophy from Wellesley College, Lily’s career began in global M&A before moving to the UK for an MBA at the University of Oxford. She has held strategic roles in the biotech industry, rediscovering her passion for science and innovation. Co-founding Jack Fertility, Lily is committed to providing accessible and stigma-free fertility solutions and advocating for more gender inclusivity in the tech and health sectors.

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About the host:
Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mischon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.