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Colossal Biosciences reportedly in talks to raise new capital at $20B–$30B valuation
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Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction startup known for its ambitious efforts to resurrect species like the dire wolf and woolly mammoth, is reportedly in talks to raise new funding at a valuation between $20 billion and $30 billion. The news, first reported by Axios, comes roughly 16 months after the company was valued at $10.2 billion, marking a dramatic increase in its perceived worth. The five-year-old company has not disclosed the lead investor or the amount of capital sought, but sources indicate that Colossal has begun generating revenue over the past year.
Founded in 2021 by geneticist George Church and entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Colossal focuses on de-extinction and conservation technologies. The company’s initial valuation of $10.2 billion was controversial, given the ethical debates surrounding resurrecting extinct animals. However, supporters argue that the underlying technologies—such as gene editing, synthetic biology, and artificial wombs—have broad applications beyond reviving lost species. Colossal’s core science has attracted investments from the U.S. government and the UAE, the latter of which infused $60 million into the company, according to Wired.
Key financial figures include Colossal’s three spin-out startups: Breaking, which specializes in plastic degradation; Form Bio, a computational biology platform that raised $30 million; and Astromech, an AI-driven predictive modeling company valued at $2 billion in March. The company also operates from a 55,000-square-foot headquarters in Dallas and continues to expand its target species list, adding the bluebuck antelope in April. Additionally, its nonprofit arm, the Colossal Foundation, partnered with the University of Tasmania to protect Tasmanian devils from contagious facial cancer.
The implications of this valuation surge are significant for the deep-tech sector, particularly in longevity, alternative energy, and biotech. Colossal’s potential revenue streams include conservation technology sales, biodiversity credits (similar to carbon credits), and licensing of its artificial womb technology, which CEO Ben Lamm told Rolling Stone could be ready next year. The company also plans to spin off this technology for human fertility treatments. If successful, Colossal could disrupt multiple industries.
Reactions from the scientific community remain mixed. Critics question the feasibility and ethics of de-extinction, citing ecological risks and resource allocation. However, investors appear optimistic, with the reported valuation reflecting confidence in Colossal’s technological platform and revenue potential. Lamm has previously emphasized that the company’s value lies not just in resurrecting extinct animals but in the tools developed along the way.
Looking ahead, Colossal’s new capital could accelerate its de-extinction timeline and spin-off ventures. The company aims to reintroduce the woolly mammoth and dodo bird to their native habitats, though no firm dates are set. With revenue now flowing and multiple high-value subsidiaries, Colossal is positioning itself as a leader in synthetic biology and conservation tech. The outcome of these funding talks will likely shape the trajectory of the de-extinction movement and broader biotech innovation.
