Colossal Biosciences — Startup Profile
De-extinction and genetic engineering company resurrecting extinct species
HQ: Dallas, Texas | Founded: 2021 | Employees: 180+ | Stage: Series C | Website: https://colossal.com
About
Colossal Biosciences is a genetic engineering and de-extinction company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church, the company's flagship mission is to bring back the woolly mammoth, thylacine (Tasmanian tiger), and dodo bird using CRISPR-based gene editing, stem cell biology, and synthetic embryo development. Colossal's work extends beyond de-extinction to include conservation genomics tools designed to protect currently endangered species. The company operates multiple research labs and collaborates with universities and conservation organizations worldwide. Colossal has raised over $430 million in venture funding and achieved decacorn status in early 2025.
The Take
Colossal Biosciences has established itself as the leading de-extinction company, backed by over $430M in funding and a $10.2B valuation. Its core thesis — that genetic engineering tools developed for de-extinction can simultaneously advance conservation biology — gives it a dual value proposition. The company's progress on woolly mammoth and dodo de-extinction programs, combined with its growing portfolio of conservation genomics IP, positions it uniquely at the intersection of synthetic biology and biodiversity preservation. Key risks include the unproven technical feasibility of full de-extinction, long development timelines, and uncertain commercial monetization pathways beyond government and philanthropic partnerships.
Key Metrics
- Total Funding: $430M+
- Valuation: $10.2B
- Employees: 180+
- Founded: 2021
- HQ: Dallas, Texas
- De-extinction Targets: Woolly Mammoth, Thylacine, Dodo
Funding Rounds
- Round: $120M (2025-09-17) — Peter Jackson, others
- Round: $200M (2025-01-15) — TWG Global
- Round: $150M (2023-01-01) — Various
Key People
- Ben Lamm
- George Church
- Eriona Hysolli
Key Competitors
- Revive & Restore —
- Ginkgo Bioworks —
- Mammoth Biosciences —
Timeline Highlights
- 2021-09-01: Company Founded
- 2023-01-01: Series B — $150M
- 2024-06-01: Thylacine Genome Milestone
- 2025-01-15: Series C — $200M at $10.2B Valuation
- 2025-09-17: $120M Extension Funding
- 2025-11-03: Australian Conservation Partnerships Announced
Recent News
- Colossal Biosciences expands conservation genomics partnerships with Australian wildlife agencies (2025-11-03)
- Startup working to bring back dodo bird raises $120 million (2025-09-17)
- Colossal Biosciences raises $200M at $10.2B valuation to bring back woolly mammoths (2025-01-15)
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