Colossal Biosciences Explores New Funding Round at Up to $30 Billion Valuation as De-Extinction Tech Expands Beyond Reviving Extinct Species

De-extinction startup Colossal Biosciences, which garnered significant attention last year with its ambitious announcement to "resurrect" the dire wolf from ancient genetic material, is now reportedly in discussions to secure new funding that could push its valuation to an astonishing $20 billion to $30 billion. This potential financial milestone, first reported by Axios on July 20, 2026, comes roughly 16 months after TechCrunch’s previous analysis where, despite the inherent controversy surrounding its de-extinction projects, the company’s development of valuable foundational technologies was seen as a justification for its then-$10.2 billion valuation, achieved in a funding round on January 15, 2025.

The latest funding talks underscore a dramatic increase in investor confidence in the five-year-old company’s multifaceted approach to biotechnology. While the specific lead investor for this new round and the total capital Colossal aims to raise remain undisclosed, the Axios report highlights a crucial development: Colossal has begun generating revenue over the past year, a significant step for a company operating at the cutting edge of deep tech and synthetic biology. This shift from pure research and development to commercialization marks a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory.

Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal, previously outlined to TechCrunch three distinct revenue streams for the business, demonstrating a strategic vision that extends far beyond the headline-grabbing efforts to bring back extinct animals. These diversified approaches are now beginning to bear fruit, showcasing the broader applicability and commercial potential of the scientific platforms Colossal is developing.

One primary revenue stream stems from offering its advanced conservation technology to governmental entities. Colossal has actively engaged with both the U.S. government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leveraging its expertise in genetic engineering, reproductive technologies, and bioinformatics to address pressing conservation challenges. The UAE, recognizing the strategic importance of these innovations, recently invested a substantial $60 million in the company, as reported by Wired. This partnership signifies a growing acknowledgment from global authorities that Colossal’s biotech tools can provide critical solutions for protecting endangered species and restoring ecological balance, moving beyond the theoretical into practical, impactful applications. The collaboration with the U.S. Interior Department, also noted by Wired, further solidifies its role as a key player in national and international conservation efforts.

Another significant driver of Colossal’s financial ascent is its strategy of spinning out specialized startups that leverage its core technological advancements in diverse sectors. To date, Colossal has successfully launched three such ventures, each addressing distinct market needs:

• Breaking: This startup is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for plastic degradation. By applying principles of synthetic biology and genetic engineering, Breaking aims to tackle the global plastic waste crisis, a challenge with immense environmental and economic implications. While specific details on its technology are proprietary, its mission aligns with a growing demand for sustainable waste management solutions.
• Form Bio: Positioned as a computational biology platform, Form Bio provides advanced tools and infrastructure for researchers and scientists. It secured $30 million in funding, indicating strong investor belief in its potential to accelerate discoveries and streamline complex biological data analysis. Such platforms are essential for modern biotechnology, offering capabilities for data processing, simulation, and predictive modeling that underpin drug discovery, agricultural innovation, and genetic research.
• Astromech: This company focuses on AI-driven predictive modeling within the biology and life sciences domains. Its technology is designed to analyze vast datasets and predict biological outcomes, which can revolutionize drug development, personalized medicine, and various biotechnological applications. Astromech’s rapid growth was highlighted in March when it was valued at an impressive $2 billion, according to a report by D Magazine, showcasing the significant market demand for sophisticated AI tools in life sciences.

Beyond these diversified ventures, Colossal’s core de-extinction business continues its ambitious expansion. Operating from its expansive 55,000-square-foot headquarters in Dallas, a hub for its scientific research and development, the company has added the iconic bluebuck antelope to its growing list of target species, making it the sixth animal in its de-extinction portfolio, as announced via BusinessWire. The bluebuck, a large antelope native to South Africa that went extinct in the early 19th century, represents another complex genetic challenge for Colossal, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of genetic resurrection.

Furthermore, Colossal’s commitment to broader conservation is exemplified by the work of its nonprofit arm, the Colossal Foundation. This foundation recently forged a significant partnership with the University of Tasmania, focusing on protecting Tasmanian devils from a devastating transmissible cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). This collaboration aims to develop advanced vaccines and employ gene-editing technologies to bolster the devils’ natural resistance to the disease. The company asserts that such initiatives are compelling evidence of its underlying biotech platform’s immense value and versatility, extending well beyond the high-profile goal of reviving extinct animals to address critical threats facing extant species. This work demonstrates a direct application of the very genetic and reproductive technologies developed for de-extinction to real-world conservation challenges, offering a tangible benefit to biodiversity preservation.

Looking ahead, Lamm also revealed to TechCrunch last year Colossal’s plans to spin off its artificial animal womb technology. This groundbreaking innovation, crucial for the gestation of de-extinct species, holds significant potential for applications in human fertility treatment. In an interview with Rolling Stone in May, Lamm indicated that this technology is expected to be ready for practical application as early as next year, suggesting a rapid advancement that could revolutionize assisted reproductive technologies for both animals and potentially humans. The ethical and societal implications of such a development are vast, opening new frontiers in reproductive medicine.

A future revenue stream, as envisioned by Lamm, could emerge from the successful reintroduction of extinct animals, such as the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird, into their native habitats. This ambitious goal could lead to the generation of revenue through the sale of biodiversity credits. Similar in concept to carbon credits, biodiversity credits are market-based mechanisms designed to incentivize and finance conservation efforts by assigning a financial value to biodiversity restoration and protection. Should Colossal achieve its goal of restoring lost ecosystems through de-extinction, these credits could offer a sustainable funding model for ongoing conservation and rewilding initiatives, creating a novel economic incentive for ecological restoration.

Colossal’s current fundraising efforts are unfolding amidst a broader surge of investment in deep-tech sectors globally. There is a palpable boom in areas such as longevity technology, alternative energy, and advanced biotechnologies, reflecting a growing recognition among investors of the transformative potential of science-driven innovation. Companies that are tackling grand challenges with cutting-edge research and development are attracting substantial capital, as the market increasingly values long-term, high-impact solutions to global problems. Colossal Biosciences, with its audacious mission and diversified technological portfolio, epitomizes this trend, positioning itself at the forefront of a new era of scientific enterprise.

When contacted for comment regarding the latest funding talks, Colossal Biosciences did not provide a response.

Marina Temkin is a venture capital and startups reporter at TechCrunch. Prior to joining TechCrunch, she wrote about VC for PitchBook and Venture Capital Journal. Earlier in her career, Marina was a financial analyst and earned a CFA charterholder designation. You can contact or verify outreach from Marina by emailing [email protected] or via encrypted message at +1 347-683-3909 on Signal.