Colossal Biosciences Eyes Major Capital Raise Amidst De-Extinction Ambitions

TL;DR

• **Valuation Surge:** Colossal Biosciences has secured new capital that pushes its valuation to **$10.3 billion**, marking it as Texas' first "decacorn" and a massive jump from its previous $1.5 billion worth, though it remains below the rumored **$20B–$30B** target for future rounds.
• **Capital Breakdown:** The company recently closed a **$200 million Series C** round in January 2025 followed by a **$120 million extension** in September 2025, bringing total funding to **$555 million** to advance de-extinction and conservation technologies.
• **Project Timeline:** CEO Ben Lamm confirmed a concrete scientific timeline to produce a living **dodo in 5–7 years**, while the company continues pursuing **mammoth hybrids** by 2028 and other extinct species like the Tasmanian tiger.

Colossal Biosciences Eyes Major Capital Raise Amidst De-Extinction Ambitions

Dallas-Based Biotech Firm Solidifies Decacorn Status with $555M Total Funding, Setting Stage for Future Valuation Growth

Colossal Biosciences is rapidly cementing its position as the world's leading de-extinction company, having recently secured significant capital that elevates its valuation to **$10.3 billion**. While the company has not yet officially closed a round at the staggering **$20B–$30B** valuation rumored in industry speculation, its recent funding milestones and scientific breakthroughs suggest the startup is aggressively positioning itself for a massive future capital raise to fulfill its ambitious genetic engineering goals.

The Rise of the Texas Decacorn

The biotech firm, founded in 2021 by Harvard geneticist **George Church** and entrepreneur **Ben Lamm**, achieved a historic milestone in January 2025 by becoming the first startup in Texas to reach "decacorn" status—a valuation exceeding $10 billion. This achievement was driven by a **$200 million Series C round** led by **TWG Global**, the investment arm of Guggenheim Partners co-founder Mark Walter and billionaire Thomas Tull.

At the time of the January announcement, the funding round valued Colossal at **$10.2 billion**, a dramatic increase from its reported **$1.5 billion valuation** just two years prior. The company's total funding climbed to **$435 million** following this initial round, signaling intense investor confidence in its mission to reverse extinction.

By September 2025, Colossal further strengthened its financial foundation with a **$120 million extension** of the Series C round. This additional capital, announced alongside a breakthrough in avian primordial germ cells, brought the company's total raised capital to **$555 million** and pushed its valuation to **$10.32 billion**. Investors in this extension included the **US Innovative Technology Fund**, **ARCH Venture Partners** co-founder Robert Nelsen, and filmmaker **Peter Jackson**.

Concrete Timelines for De-Extinction Projects

The influx of capital is directly tied to accelerating Colossal's high-profile scientific projects. CEO Ben Lamm has provided a concrete timeline for the company's most immediate de-extinction target: the **dodo**. Following the September 2025 funding announcement, Lamm stated that the company expects to produce a living dodo within **five to seven years**.

This timeline was made possible by a critical scientific breakthrough: the successful growth of **pigeon primordial germ cells** in a laboratory setting, a key step in reviving avian species. The new funding will also support the construction of a dedicated **avian research facility in Texas** to further this work.

Beyond the dodo, Colossal continues to pursue its broader mission to de-extinct several species, including the **woolly mammoth**, **Tasmanian tiger**, **dire wolf**, and **bluebuck**. The company has maintained its ambitious goal of creating **mammoth hybrids by 2028**, a project that relies heavily on advanced genetic engineering and reproductive technologies. The capital raised is also earmarked for developing new software, wetware, and hardware solutions with applications in species preservation and human healthcare.

Strategic Acquisitions and Expansion

Colossal's growth strategy extends beyond fundraising, with the company actively expanding its operational capabilities through strategic acquisitions. In August 2025, Colossal acquired the **University of Melbourne's TIGRR lab**, a move designed to bolster its genetic research capabilities. Additionally, the company completed the buyout of **ViaGen Pets** in November 2025, further integrating commercial reproductive technologies into its portfolio.

The company also launched the **Colossal Foundation** in October 2024, a nonprofit conservation entity designed to deploy its proprietary technologies for ecosystem preservation. This dual approach of commercial biotech development and nonprofit conservation reflects a comprehensive strategy to address "the colossal problem of extinction."

Future Valuation Targets and Market Implications

While current valuations sit at **$10.3 billion**, the tech and biotech sectors are closely watching Colossal for signs of a future round that could reach the **$20B–$30B** range. Such a valuation would represent a near-tripling of its current worth and would validate the de-extinction model as a viable, high-value investment class.

The company's trajectory suggests that the $20B–$30B valuation is a **long-term target** rather than an immediate reality. The rapid increase from $1.45 billion to $10.3 billion in just two years demonstrates the market's willingness to bet on Colossal's scientific milestones. As the company delivers on its dodo timeline and progresses toward mammoth hybrids, investor enthusiasm is likely to drive the valuation upward, potentially paving the way for the massive capital raise mentioned in industry discussions.

With **$555 million** in total funding and a clear path to reviving extinct species, Colossal Biosciences is not just a biotech startup but a pioneering force in genetic engineering. The company's ability to secure continued investment at a decacorn valuation underscores the growing belief that de-extinction is not only scientifically possible but financially lucrative.

AndroGuider Team

Articles written by the AndroGuider team. We try to make them thorough and informational while being easy to read.