Yessica Klein
8 min read
09 November 2025
Lisbon-born nurse, entrepreneur and TEDx speaker Andreia Trigo has spent nearly two decades transforming healthcare through innovation. After her first venture, a medical simulation center, was shut down by the 2009 global economic crash, she moved to the UK and cofounded SedateUK, training thousands of healthcare professionals across 180 hospitals. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Enhanced Fertility, a company leveraging AI, remote diagnostics and data-driven insights to help fertility clinics across Europe speed up accurate diagnoses and treatments that maximize the chances of live birth. Returning to Lisbon in 2023, Andreia tapped into a dramatically evolved startup ecosystem, finding international networks, mentorship and opportunities that fueled her mission to make reproductive choice truly accessible across Europe.
What was your first business in Lisbon?
It was a medical simulation center where doctors and nurses could practice procedures safely before working with patients. We had a beautiful venue, simulators and collaborations with universities. But the crash hit, an investor pulled out, and we lost a lot of money. Looking back, we didn’t validate the concept enough or focus on a minimum viable product, which is something I now emphasize with every venture.
How did Enhanced Fertility come about?
It stems from my personal experience with infertility. Diagnosis was slow and complex, and I noticed other patients struggling similarly. I realized we could use AI to automate processes, support clinicians in decision-making and ultimately improve patients’ chances of having children. That’s how Enhanced Fertility was born in the UK in 2020 and expanded to Lisbon in 2023.
How has the Lisbon ecosystem changed since you first started?
The ecosystem is now vibrant and international. Everywhere you go, people speak English, share ideas and support innovation. Opportunities like Unicorn Factory Lisboa have been transformational; they’ve helped us connect with the market and scale our business. It’s a far cry from my first experience in 2008, and I wish something like this had existed back then.
What’s been your biggest lesson as a founder?
Validation at every step is critical. We don’t let our tech team develop solutions that aren’t validated with patients and clinicians. You can have many ideas, but they need to solve real problems and provide measurable value. Change is constant in our field, so ongoing feedback is crucial.
How do you handle the ups and downs of entrepreneurship?
It’s a rollercoaster. One hour we have a sale, the next an investor meeting doesn’t go well, and then we get a grant. Some days I wonder if it’s time to quit. But having a cofounder – my husband – who keeps perspective helps immensely. Our personal mission drives us: helping people struggling to have children. That keeps us going.
“I want to build a business that sustains the test of time, that survives the challenges ahead, because the problem of infertility isn’t going away – it’s global and worsening.”
Where did you meet your cofounder?
We met in the hospital where I was a research nurse. He was helping with a project to reduce opioid prescriptions using a patient app. We knew we could collaborate effectively. Being husband and wife also helps because we share the same mission. I focus on clinical decisions; he handles tech. Our roles complement each other.
How has your leadership style evolved?
As the team grows, I’ve become more confident. I hire smart people and trust them to make decisions. I also trust my instincts more. Founders get advice from many mentors, but ultimately, you have to make the decision you believe in and move fast. I wear multiple hats, but I don’t need to be an expert in everything. I need to know enough to guide my team.
What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
The worst is probably the suggestion to go direct-to-consumer. Acquiring patients that way is expensive, and it’s not sustainable. The best advice was from a mentor in Portugal about tightening our pitch deck, linking the problem, the solution and traction clearly. It transformed how investors understood our business.
What’s unique about building a company in Lisbon?
Lisbon is increasingly easy for foreigners to set up businesses. The quality of life is high, and the cost of living is moderate. But raising investment is still challenging; many investors are risk-averse, and grants aren’t as available as in the UK. So, while Lisbon is a great base, scaling usually means thinking about Europe or even the US early on.
What does success look like in five years?
We see Enhanced Fertility as a global company. We aim to help tens of thousands of babies come into the world through our treatments. Every time a baby is born thanks to our work, we ring a bell in the office: that’s our net baby score. By 2030, we hope to expand further across Europe and into Asia, helping as many families as possible.
How do you see the fertility ecosystem evolving in Europe?
Currently, many countries don’t offer fertility treatments through national health systems. Some restrict egg donation, sperm donation or surrogacy. I hope that in five years, reproductive choice will be a true choice across Europe, with faster diagnostics, accessible care and better treatment options. Fertility is a societal issue, especially in countries with declining birth rates.
Any thoughts on political and cultural barriers?
Some countries are still conservative regarding fertility treatments, but we see progress. For example, France is promoting fertility testing among young people, and South Korea is offering incentives due to low birth rates. Governments need to recognize that supporting fertility is essential for population sustainability. Once that focus exists, investors and innovations will follow.
“AI allows us to automate processes and help clinicians make more accurate decisions, ultimately leading to more babies being born.”