Infertility affects 1 in 6 adults, but what if hundreds of IVF injections could be replaced by a non-invasive, connected drug delivery platform, designed by a daughter who became a “human pin cushion” and the father who spent 50+ years in non‑invasive drug delivery? Today, we chatted with Ellen Gonda, co‑founder of GonGlobal, a pioneering Femtech startup on a mission to radically transform the IVF journey. After enduring cycle after cycle of injections and describing herself as a “human pin cushion,” Ellen turned to her father, a leading expert in non‑invasive drug delivery, and asked a simple but life‑changing question: “Is there a better way? Tune in because she’ll take us behind the scenes of preclinical R&D, IP strategy, fundraising with doctors and pharmaceutical executives, and navigating the “Valley of Death” between preclinical work and commercialization. If you’re interested in IVF, femtech, non‑invasive drug delivery, or the realities of building a mission‑driven women’s health company from the ground up, this conversation will give you both a deeply human story and a front‑row seat to a game‑changing innovation. Key Takeaways: How Ellen’s personal IVF journey and “human pin cushion” experience sparked the idea for a non‑invasive alternative to hundreds of injectionsWhy infertility isn’t just a woman’s issue and how male‑factor infertility contributes to around half of all casesLearn how GonGlobal’s connected, non‑invasive drug delivery platform could transform the IVF patient experience and improve treatment outcomesUnderstand why Australia—especially Victoria—has become a powerhouse hub for women’s health, IVF innovation, and early clinical researchFind out how Ellen leveraged accelerators and pre‑accelerators to transition from corporate communications into a biotech founder roleLearn how IP strategy, licensing, and preclinical R&D shape the future of a femtech startup like GonGlobalUnderstand why doctors, pharma executives, and IVF patients themselves are backing this innovation with capital and convictionFind out what stigma and silence still surround infertility and how Ellen’s candour is changing the conversation Resources: Ellen Gonda: LinkedIn GonGlobal: LinkedIn GonGlobal: https://gonglobal.com/ Maaike Steinebach LinkedIn Website Femtech Future: https://www.femtechfuture.com Instagram Femtech Future: @femtech_future This conversation is more than a founder story—it’s a glimpse into a future where IVF is less painful, more personalised, and truly centred on the patient. Ellen Gonda and Gon Global are showing what’s possible when lived experience, world‑class science, and a relentless mission to serve women come together. If this episode moved you, be part of the movement: share it with someone on a fertility journey, like it, and leave a review so we can keep amplifying the voices of the builders changing women’s health. And see you next week for another episode of Femcheck at Work, where we spotlight the founders reshaping the future of care.
