Note: This episode was recorded only hours after it was confirmed that an agency-held escrow had engaged in fraudulent activity.

In this episode, Erin Quick sits down with Adam Winder, one of the earliest innovators in surrogacy technology and the President & CEO behind SeedTrust, a financial platform built for escrow services in third-party reproduction; Orchid, a journey-management platform; and Adam has been deeply involved in medical-record collection through Gather.

In this conversation, Erin and Adam explore how surrogacy has changed, where technology has accelerated progress, and why education, regulation, and transparency are essential for the industry’s next stage of growth. Adam shares his transition from banking into surrogacy, the emotional connections that shaped his work, and the challenges he sees as the field becomes more complex and digitized.

They unpack the new SEEDS $10M bonding requirement, the differences between attorney-held, agency-held, and third-party escrow models, and the growing importance of cybersecurity (and cyber insurance!).

This episode is both a reflection on how far the surrogacy escrow field has come — and a preview of where it’s going next.

Key Takeaways

• The surrogacy industry has grown dramatically over the last decade, increasing the need for secure, transparent systems in escrow.
• Technology now plays a central role in improving efficiency, preventing fraud, and strengthening trust.
• Education is critical for intended parents and surrogates to make informed, safe decisions around escrow.
• There is a strong need for standardized practices, ethics, and financial oversight in surrogacy escrow.
• Insurance, bonding, and cybersecurity are core components of modern escrow protection.
• Regulation across escrow and surrogacy operations is both inevitable and necessary.
• The emotional dimension of surrogacy is often overlooked in business conversations.
• A badge, accreditation, or standards framework could help identify trustworthy industry providers.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Surrogacy and Current Landscape
 02:13 — The Journey from Banking to Surrogacy
 04:15 — Growth and Evolution of the Surrogacy Industry
 05:48 — Technology’s Role in Surrogacy
 08:20 — Understanding Escrow Models in Surrogacy
 10:22 — The Importance of Third-Party Providers
 12:28 — Challenges with Attorney- and Agency-Held Escrow
 14:59 — The Need for Education in Surrogacy Escrow
 17:25 — Establishing Standards for Escrow Providers
 24:28 — Understanding Insurance and Bonding in Escrow
 28:10 — The Importance of Due Diligence and Risk Management
 31:20 — Navigating Internal and External Threats
 35:37 — The Role of Standards and Accountability
 38:51 — The Future of Regulation in Surrogacy and Escrow
 40:14 — Embracing Technology and Innovation
 44:51 — A Vision for a Better Surrogacy Experience