Telegram CEO Pavel Durov offers free IVF to women interested in using his sperm

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has launched an unexpected initiative that has nothing to do with messaging but might just remind people of the Bollywood film Vicky Donor—minus the comedy. In the movie, a young man unknowingly helps couples fulfill their dreams of becoming parents through sperm donation. Durov’s offer is intentional and structured, but it shares the same heartfelt aim: to help those who want to start a family.
Durov has teamed up with Altravita, a top fertility clinic, to provide free IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) for women who choose to use his sperm. Not only is he donating, but he’s also covering the full cost of the IVF process. Altravita, which exclusively holds the rights to store and use Durov’s biomaterial, highlights that this is a rare and generous offer. The clinic is promising each participant high-quality care from some of the best specialists in reproductive health, using the latest technology to maximize success rates.
The process is straightforward but selective. Women interested in the program can contact Altravita to set up an initial consultation, where a doctor will explain the IVF procedure and conduct initial tests. To qualify, applicants need to meet the clinic’s eligibility criteria, including being under 37 and in good health. Once approved, they’ll begin the IVF journey, supported every step of the way by Altravita’s dedicated team.
Durov once talked about his journey with sperm donation in his Telegram channel, giving this initiative an even more unique backstory. “I was just told that I have over 100 biological kids. How is this possible for a guy who has never been married and prefers to live alone?” he remarked with his usual humor. He went on to explain how, 15 years ago, a close friend approached him, asking for a sperm donation because he and his wife couldn’t conceive. “I laughed my ass off before realizing he was dead serious,” he recalls. Eventually, he agreed, and this decision opened the door to a much larger impact.
Durov continued to donate, encouraged by the clinic director who explained the shortage of “high quality donor material” and urged him to help more families. Fast-forward to today, his donations have reportedly helped over a hundred families across 12 countries. “The shortage of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious issue worldwide, and I’m proud that I did my part to help alleviate it,” Durov explained.
Durov also expressed a desire to destigmatise sperm donation, seeing it as an important resource for families struggling to conceive. “Defy convention—redefine the norm!” he says, hoping more healthy men will be inspired to consider donation.