Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche
Dr. Jenn is a wife, mother, innovator, and passionate advocate for women’s health. Hintzsche was Northern Illinois University’s first recipient of a doctoral degree in bioinformatics (a field of study that combines computer science and biology) in 2014 after obtaining a Master's Degree in the same subject. She earned her BA in Biochemistry from Augustana College. She is the author of over two-dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles and her work has been cited nearly 500 times in respected science journals for her clinical expertise.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
OVERVIEW
Empowering people to take control of their fertility journey
Here at PherDal, we aim to provide a science-based, safe, sterile, and affordable fertility option - all in the privacy of your own home.
(source, source, source, source, source)
In addition to making the fertility journey less invasive, we feel we are a source of support for the LGBTQAI+ community, single parents by choice, and people struggling with infertility. With that, we believe Pherdal offers the only patent-pending, sterile, at-home intracervical insemination kit.
Founded by a couple who has experienced infertility themselves - our company genuinely understands the hurt, frustration, and pain of trying to conceive. After Dr. Jenn and her husband created PherDal, they conceived their first child in the second month of use. It gave them hope that they could help others as well.
THE PROBLEM
1 in 5 women have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying
An additional 1 in 4 have difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term (source). On top of that, many people also struggle to even afford the services fertility clinics offer (source). The need for assisted reproduction technology is growing at a rate of 5-10% per year to meet the demand of increased infertility (source). We think people need access to safe, sterile fertility options to try in the privacy of their own homes - especially before trying more invasive measures.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI, is often the first line of fertility treatment and is performed in a sterile environment at a fertility clinic (source, source). However, there is a lesser-known form of artificial insemination called Intracervical Insemination or ICI that can be a great first-line of fertility treatment too (source). A 2015 study showed ICI, like the PherDal kit offers, and IUI have the same live birth rate over a 6 month time period in medicated and natural ovulation cycles (source). Similar results were found in a 2018 study (source).
However, we believe our ICI kit is the first to combine the sterile environment of the fertility clinic with the at home capabilities of artificial insemination. When it comes to the importance of sterile environments for infertility treatments, a 2017 study showed that women diagnosed with idiopathic (or unknown) infertility were proven to have a significant differentiation in the proportion of 3 bacterial species naturally present in the vaginal microbiome (source, source). Since then, there has continued to be more scientific research published about the role the microbiome plays in infertility. So much so that a 2020 review of clinical practice recommendations for fertility specialists called the vaginal microbiome the “new frontier” that would increase the overall knowledge of reproductive health (source).
Therefore, we believe we’re bridging the gap between traditional conception and more invasive options with a sterile ICI option for couples facing infertility, including male factor infertility, single mothers by choice, and the LGBTQ+ community.
*The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market.
THE SOLUTION
Safe, sterile, at-home fertility option for everyone
We are looking to make safe and sterile at-home insemination possible. That’s why PherDal at-home insemination kits are designed to be able to deliver the sperm closer to the egg, potentially bypassing any bacterial or anatomical interference.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
We feel that PherDal is leading the industry by including 3 sterile syringes and 3 cups, per kit. That means more chances per month at less cost - without reusing anything.
We feel our business model is similar to at-home, over-the-counter, pregnancy tests. But what we think makes us unique is what we see as our unestablished market. We don’t think enough people know that sterile Intracervical insemination (ICI) is an option to try before Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - as a safe, affordable, way to try and build families.
(source)
THE MARKET
The fertility treatment market is growing
The Fertility Treatment Market size is valued at $14.27 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $21.7 billion by 2025 (source).
Not to mention, almost two-thirds (64%) of couples trying to get pregnant have tried alternative or natural remedies to conceive (source).
We have found a new industry containing an estimated 12.2 million people struggling to conceive each year (source). PherDal has the potential to offer these people a method of artificial insemination option that we feel is safe, sterile, and private - and we think we are the only ones doing so.
(source, source, source, source, source) *The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market.
OUR TRACTION
PherDal's conception and progress
Here’s our timeline of how our founders overcame unexplained infertility, and how PherDal helped:
While PherDal started as the founder’s story, our proof of concept kit launched last year - selling out in 90 days. Most importantly, we believe PherDal helped others successfully conceive too. We have now set a goal to be the only FDA-cleared insemination kit offered over-the-counter as a safe and sterile fertility option.
WHY INVEST
We intend to offer the first over the counter assisted reproduction catheter to the growing infertility space
And to us, success is giving people the potential to feel hope on their fertility journey.
In the next 3-5 years, we anticipate PherDal being available in local pharmacies across North America and Europe - potentially providing a safe, sterile option for everyone.
We have already engaged with the United States FDA to initiate the premarket submission process. And with that, we anticipate having PherDal cleared via 510(k) premarket notification by the end of 2022.
Once manufacturing is scaled, we anticipate our PherDal kits to sell for less than $149 with a direct-to-consumer unit gross margin of in excess of 75%.
We believe our patent is on track to be awarded this fall, putting us in the position, we feel, to potentially disrupt the 2023 market with our anticipated, patented, FDA-cleared, OTC medical device.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
*The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market
ABOUT
HEADQUARTERS
405 W 2ND ST UNIT 1141
DIXON, IL 61021
VALUATION
$14.01M
We believe PherDal is the only sterile, patent-pending, at-home insemination kit out there. Our goal is to provide access to safe and affordable fertility options backed by science. While we are pre-revenue, we have established the trademark for “Pherdal” and our proof-of-concept kits sold out in just 90 days and helped others conceive. We anticipate having a product on the market by the end of 2022.
Website
TEAM
Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D.
Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jenn is a wife, mother, innovator, and passionate advocate for women’s health. Hintzsche was Northern Illinois University’s first recipient of a doctoral degree in bioinformatics (a field of study that combines computer science and biology) in 2014 after obtaining a Master's Degree in the same subject. She earned her BA in Biochemistry from Augustana College. She is the author of over two-dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles and her work has been cited nearly 500 times in respected science journals for her clinical expertise.
Dr. Jenn was diagnosed with unexplained infertility in 2017 and was told expensive fertility options were her only chance at conceiving. Hintzsche and husband Ryan invented and conceived their daughter using their patent-pending PherDal kit. PherDal is the only sterile at-home insemination kit that has already helped over a dozen women conceive. PherDal is located in Dixon, IL and is registered with the FDA as an over the counter medical device.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
OVERVIEW
Empowering people to take control of their fertility journey
Here at PherDal, we aim to provide a science-based, safe, sterile, and affordable fertility option - all in the privacy of your own home.
(source, source, source, source, source)
In addition to making the fertility journey less invasive, we feel we are a source of support for the LGBTQAI+ community, single parents by choice, and people struggling with infertility. With that, we believe Pherdal offers the only patent-pending, sterile, at-home intracervical insemination kit.
Founded by a couple who has experienced infertility themselves - our company genuinely understands the hurt, frustration, and pain of trying to conceive. After Dr. Jenn and her husband created PherDal, they conceived their first child in the second month of use. It gave them hope that they could help others as well.
THE PROBLEM
1 in 5 women have difficulty conceiving after one year of trying
An additional 1 in 4 have difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term (source). On top of that, many people also struggle to even afford the services fertility clinics offer (source). The need for assisted reproduction technology is growing at a rate of 5-10% per year to meet the demand of increased infertility (source). We think people need access to safe, sterile fertility options to try in the privacy of their own homes - especially before trying more invasive measures.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI, is often the first line of fertility treatment and is performed in a sterile environment at a fertility clinic (source, source). However, there is a lesser-known form of artificial insemination called Intracervical Insemination or ICI that can be a great first-line of fertility treatment too (source). A 2015 study showed ICI, like the PherDal kit offers, and IUI have the same live birth rate over a 6 month time period in medicated and natural ovulation cycles (source). Similar results were found in a 2018 study (source).
However, we believe our ICI kit is the first to combine the sterile environment of the fertility clinic with the at home capabilities of artificial insemination. When it comes to the importance of sterile environments for infertility treatments, a 2017 study showed that women diagnosed with idiopathic (or unknown) infertility were proven to have a significant differentiation in the proportion of 3 bacterial species naturally present in the vaginal microbiome (source, source). Since then, there has continued to be more scientific research published about the role the microbiome plays in infertility. So much so that a 2020 review of clinical practice recommendations for fertility specialists called the vaginal microbiome the “new frontier” that would increase the overall knowledge of reproductive health (source).
Therefore, we believe we’re bridging the gap between traditional conception and more invasive options with a sterile ICI option for couples facing infertility, including male factor infertility, single mothers by choice, and the LGBTQ+ community.
*The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market.
THE SOLUTION
Safe, sterile, at-home fertility option for everyone
We are looking to make safe and sterile at-home insemination possible. That’s why PherDal at-home insemination kits are designed to be able to deliver the sperm closer to the egg, potentially bypassing any bacterial or anatomical interference.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
We feel that PherDal is leading the industry by including 3 sterile syringes and 3 cups, per kit. That means more chances per month at less cost - without reusing anything.
We feel our business model is similar to at-home, over-the-counter, pregnancy tests. But what we think makes us unique is what we see as our unestablished market. We don’t think enough people know that sterile Intracervical insemination (ICI) is an option to try before Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - as a safe, affordable, way to try and build families.
(source)
THE MARKET
The fertility treatment market is growing
The Fertility Treatment Market size is valued at $14.27 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $21.7 billion by 2025 (source).
Not to mention, almost two-thirds (64%) of couples trying to get pregnant have tried alternative or natural remedies to conceive (source).
We have found a new industry containing an estimated 12.2 million people struggling to conceive each year (source). PherDal has the potential to offer these people a method of artificial insemination option that we feel is safe, sterile, and private - and we think we are the only ones doing so.
(source, source, source, source, source) *The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market.
OUR TRACTION
PherDal's conception and progress
Here’s our timeline of how our founders overcame unexplained infertility, and how PherDal helped:
While PherDal started as the founder’s story, our proof of concept kit launched last year - selling out in 90 days. Most importantly, we believe PherDal helped others successfully conceive too. We have now set a goal to be the only FDA-cleared insemination kit offered over-the-counter as a safe and sterile fertility option.
WHY INVEST
We intend to offer the first over the counter assisted reproduction catheter to the growing infertility space
And to us, success is giving people the potential to feel hope on their fertility journey.
In the next 3-5 years, we anticipate PherDal being available in local pharmacies across North America and Europe - potentially providing a safe, sterile option for everyone.
We have already engaged with the United States FDA to initiate the premarket submission process. And with that, we anticipate having PherDal cleared via 510(k) premarket notification by the end of 2022.
Once manufacturing is scaled, we anticipate our PherDal kits to sell for less than $149 with a direct-to-consumer unit gross margin of in excess of 75%.
We believe our patent is on track to be awarded this fall, putting us in the position, we feel, to potentially disrupt the 2023 market with our anticipated, patented, FDA-cleared, OTC medical device.
(source, source, source, source, source, source, source, source)
*The above is an image of a proof of concept kit. Final future product is still currently under development and is not yet available on the market
ABOUT
HEADQUARTERS
405 W 2ND ST UNIT 1141
DIXON, IL 61021
VALUATION
$14.01M
We believe PherDal is the only sterile, patent-pending, at-home insemination kit out there. Our goal is to provide access to safe and affordable fertility options backed by science. While we are pre-revenue, we have established the trademark for “Pherdal” and our proof-of-concept kits sold out in just 90 days and helped others conceive. We anticipate having a product on the market by the end of 2022.
Website
TEAM
Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D.
Dr. Jennifer Hintzsche, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jenn is a wife, mother, innovator, and passionate advocate for women’s health. Hintzsche was Northern Illinois University’s first recipient of a doctoral degree in bioinformatics (a field of study that combines computer science and biology) in 2014 after obtaining a Master's Degree in the same subject. She earned her BA in Biochemistry from Augustana College. She is the author of over two-dozen peer-reviewed scientific articles and her work has been cited nearly 500 times in respected science journals for her clinical expertise.
Dr. Jenn was diagnosed with unexplained infertility in 2017 and was told expensive fertility options were her only chance at conceiving. Hintzsche and husband Ryan invented and conceived their daughter using their patent-pending PherDal kit. PherDal is the only sterile at-home insemination kit that has already helped over a dozen women conceive. PherDal is located in Dixon, IL and is registered with the FDA as an over the counter medical device.
Kristin Perez
Chief Marketing Officer
Kristin Perez is the owner of Unplug Marketing which first established PherDal's social media presence in late 2021. Kristin enjoys using her social media skills to contribute to the success of small businesses. She has been in the marketing industry, and specifically social media for over 15 years.Â
In her free time, Kristin likes to hike and spend time with her husband and two-year-old daughter.Â
Dr. Rhonda Alexander
Chief Regulatory Officer
Dr. Rhonda Alexander is a global entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and author. She is the founder of IUVO Consulting, LLC, an international regulatory-compliance consulting firm, and E2 Entrepreneur & Executive Coaching, LLC, a firm dedicated to facilitating the growth and development of entrepreneurs and leaders.Â
In addition to authoring three books: EntrHERpreneur, Your Life’s Calling, and Side-Hustle or Sustainable, Dr. Rhonda has worked with organizations and professionals around the world. As a result, she has garnered more than 25 years of unique experiences that make her a creative organizational strategist, as well as an inspired, compassionate, and driven speaker and coach.Â
Dr. Rhonda is the mother of Maiyah, an amazing young woman, who is the joy and pride of her life.Â
Makeva Phelps
Chief Operations Officer
With over 25 years of various pharmacy, account management, audit and operations experience, Makeva collaborates with executive leadership, internal and external clients to define long-term goals and identify ways to support the clients mission. Makeva's primary focus is process improvement, efficiency, and training and development. Makeva is a strategic, innovative, and results driven leader committed to partnering with business stakeholders to improve performance and drive results. Makeva is dedicated to enhancing customer and client engagement and fostering a culture that supports the overall business objectives. Prior to joining the Pherdal Executive board, Makeva held roles as a Client Experience Manager, Operations Manager, and Benefits Auditor. Makeva holds a B.S. Business Forensics from Franklin University and B.A. Business Administration from University of Phoenix.Â
Tessa Mills
Advisor, Brain-based coach + fertility doula for women
Hey friend! I’m Tessa Mills, the second PherDal momma as well as a brain-based coach, fertility doula and bodyworker.
I’ll help you understand how your mind-body machine works, use intuitive questioning to help you uncover your own answers and teach you self-care tools that fuel your journey to creating the life you desire.Â
When I say “self-careâ€, I’m not talking about expensive spa treatments or bubble baths (although those feel pretty damn good once in awhile!).Â
I’m talking about self-care tools that help you 1) become aware of the thoughts making you feel like shit and 2) Re-wire your thinking to calm your nervous system and fuel the most evolved parts of your brain (i.e. So you can Â
So whether you want to take charge of your reproductive health and fertility, discover the courage to leave a toxic relationship, or simply create a soul-affirming life that has you jumping out of bed before the sun comes up, I’ll guide you there with fun, effective and science-based tools and strategies.
Ryan Westphal
Chief Engineer & Secretary of the Board
Ryan Westphal has 15+ years of engineering experience in the automotive and aerospace industries. Over the last 10+ years, he has been focused on the development of emissions devices such as heat exchangers, rotary electric valves and actuators. Ryan currently brings his breadth of experience and leadership in new product launch to a team of engineers, designers and technicians working with the major commercial vehicle and passenger car OEM’s in North America.
Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Illinois University in 2008 and resides in Dixon, IL with his wife Jenn and children Lois and Zack. In his free time he is an avid Chicago Bears fan, enjoys tinkering on his car and advancing his 3D printing skills.
Matthew Croll
Chief Financial Officer
Matt Croll has nearly 30 years of finance experience including more than 15 years a CFO. He has worked with a variety of companies in manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, agriculture, and professional services. Matt brings a multi-faceted view to business opportunities and a strong analytical perspective to business decisions. He founded Vector CFO in 2014. Vector CFO delivers fractional CFO services to companies that have needs best served by a seasoned CFO but who lack the scale to require a full-time CFO. During his career, Matt has evaluated dozens of M&A opportunities and executed more than 25 acquisitions or divestitures of businesses. He has also served as CFO during periods of rapid growth within companies. Matt received his BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and his MBA from Northwestern University. He is a registered CPA. Matt resides in Naperville, IL with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys staying active and participating in various sports in his spare time.
David Hintzsche
Chairman of the Board
David Hintzsche was part of the team who grew a family-owned agri-business into a company. For 42 years, he had a successful career with many titles at Hintzsche Fertilizer, Inc., in Illinois. The business grew with over 150 million in sales, 225 employees at 15 ag retail locations, and many contract pork production sites in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa. He is also the grandfather of the first PherDal baby.
David started working at Hintzsche Fertilizer, Inc. as a Second-shift Feed Mill Operator while attending Waubonsee Community College. After two years of college, he became a custom operator, then Troxel Plant Manager. In 1979, David became the Agronomy Division Manager for 11 years, moving his way up in the organization to the General Manager. In 1995, he became the President and Chief Executive Officer. He led the family owned business for 19 years before it was sold in 2014.
David was on several board affiliations including: Hintzsche Companies from 1990 to 2014, Premier Crop Systems from 2000 to 2007 and joined the board again in 2014. He was also on the board at DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation from 2005 to 2013, and United Suppliers and Agricultural Retailers Associations from 2011 to 2014. He was a Vistage (CEO peer group) member from 2002 to 2014 and recently joined the Willard Agri-Service Board of Directors at the beginning 2015.
Kelly Hintzsche
Advisor
My law practice is focused in the areas of business and corporate transactions; estate planning and administration; and residential and commercial real estate. I have advised corporate clients on various formation and governance matters, in addition to handling estate planning and probate and trust administrations. My commercial real estate practice includes property development, economic incentives and zoning matters. My residential real estate practice includes preparing real estate contracts and assisting clients throughout the closing process.Â
I have also represented municipalities in the formation and administration of tax increment financing districts and other municipal financing mechanisms in addition to serving as general counsel on day-to-day governance matters.Â
I received my J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2008 and prior to that earned a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice at Illinois State University in 2005.