Colossal Biosciences’ $10 billion valuation—an extraordinary figure for a company founded just four years ago—reflects investor confidence in both the scientific achievement of de-extinction and the broad commercial applications of the technologies developed in pursuit of this goal. This valuation ranks Colossal among the most valuable biotech startups globally and marks a significant milestone in the commercialization of synthetic biology and genetic engineering.
The company’s financial growth has been remarkable by any standard. After its founding in 2021 by Ben Lamm and George Church, Colossal raised an initial seed round of $15 million. Subsequent funding rounds have brought the total investment to over $435 million, with financial support coming from a diverse array of investors, including traditional venture capital firms, high-net-worth individuals, and strategic corporate partners.
What makes this valuation particularly noteworthy is that Colossal represents a departure from typical biotech investment strategies. Unlike pharmaceutical companies that develop specific drug candidates or diagnostic technologies with clear regulatory pathways and market applications, Colossal’s primary mission—bringing back extinct species—initially appears to lack obvious commercial potential. However, investors have recognized that the technologies required for de-extinction have extensive applications beyond their headline-grabbing purpose.
“We’re not a foundation, we’re not a nonprofit, we are not an academic think tank. We are trying to actually develop products and build technologies,” Ben Lamm, the company’s CEO, has emphasized. This product-oriented approach has manifested in Colossal’s strategy of spinning off commercial ventures based on technologies developed in pursuit of de-extinction.
The first such spinoff, Form Bio, launched in late 2022 with a $30 million investment. The company focuses on computational biology software to improve the working efficiency of scientists across various fields. A second spinoff, Breaking, emerged in 2024, focusing on plastic degradation through synthetic biology, notably developing a microbe capable of breaking down various plastics in as little as 22 months. A third spinoff, not yet publicly detailed, is reportedly in development.
These ventures transform Colossal’s scientific breakthroughs into distinct commercial entities with their own revenue potential, allowing the parent company to maintain its focus on de-extinction while creating tangible value for investors. This model aligns with patterns seen in other deep tech sectors, where fundamental research drives multiple commercial applications across diverse markets.
Beyond spinoffs, Colossal has identified several direct commercial applications for its de-extinction technologies. These include improvements in reproductive technologies that could benefit livestock breeding and endangered species conservation, advanced genetic tools with applications in pharmaceutical research, and novel biomaterials derived from extinct species’ traits.
The potential for carbon credit markets represents another significant economic dimension. Lamm has spoken about the possibility of companies sponsoring the de-extinction of ecologically significant species and receiving credit for the positive climate impact these animals could have upon reintroduction. This aligns with emerging biodiversity credit models being pioneered in Australia and could provide a sustainable funding mechanism for both de-extinction and conservation efforts.
The successful resurrection of the dire wolf has validated Colossal’s technological capabilities and significantly strengthened its market position. By demonstrating that de-extinction is achievable within a commercially viable timeframe—the dire wolf project moved from concept to reality in just 18 months—the company has addressed key questions about the practicality of its mission.
Government partnerships have also contributed to Colossal’s economic foundation. The company meets quarterly with various U.S. government agencies and has received public sector investment, presumably through grants targeting biotechnology innovation. Additionally, state-level partnerships, such as North Dakota’s investment in Colossal to help preserve its dwindling bison population, demonstrate how de-extinction technologies can attract public funding for conservation applications.
The company’s impressive roster of high-profile investors—including Paris Hilton, Thomas Tull, Tom Brady, Peter Jackson, and Chris Hemsworth—has not only brought capital but also cultural visibility, enhancing Colossal’s brand value. This celebrity endorsement has helped position de-extinction as a mainstream technological frontier rather than a fringe scientific pursuit.
For financial analysts, Colossal’s $10 billion valuation represents more than speculation on future returns—it signals recognition that genetic technologies developed for seemingly niche applications can transform multiple industries. While questions remain about the long-term economic sustainability of de-extinction itself, the company has demonstrated that the journey toward this goal creates substantial commercial value through technological innovation across multiple sectors.
