Parabon NanoLabs
Parabon NanoLabs provides forensic DNA analysis services—primarily genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis—to U.S. law enforcement agencies, and sells DNA design and analytics software to research and pharmaceutical clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersReston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Parabon NanoLabs does
Parabon NanoLabs is a privately held, Reston, Virginia-based biotechnology company founded in 2008 that develops computational DNA tools for both forensic and life-science applications. Its core offering is the Snapshot® Advanced DNA Analysis service, which combines genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping (predicting physical traits from DNA), and kinship analysis to generate investigative leads for unsolved criminal cases and unidentified remains. The firm also markets inSēquio Design Studio, a DNA design software platform for nano-pharmaceutical and synthetic biology research, and a DNA Analytics suite for next-generation sequencing and SNP analysis aimed at forensic and medical users.
The company operates a hybrid business model. Revenue from law enforcement is generated through direct contracted forensic services with federal, state, and local agencies (e.g., FBI, Illinois State Police, NYPD, Pima County Sheriff's Office, Framingham PD, Berks County investigators), with each engagement structured as a professional services case. Software-based revenue is generated through subscription and free-trial licensing of inSēquio and the DNA Analytics tools to research institutions and pharmaceutical clients. The firm's distribution is primarily direct enterprise/government sales for forensics and self-serve online registration for software. Marketing relies heavily on earned media from high-profile cold case resolutions rather than paid demand generation.
Parabon is led by co-founder and Chief Science Officer Michael L. Norton and President Steven Armentrout, with co-founder Chris Dwyer still involved. Operational indicators—11–50 employees, a single disclosed $150,000 NSF grant in 2014, an early-stage Virginia Venture Partners engagement in 2010, and the absence of any subsequent priced funding round—suggest a small, self-sustaining services firm that has selectively expanded into adjacent product lines (nano-pharmaceuticals, vaccine development) without significant external capital infusion.
Parabon NanoLabs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Parabon NanoLabs
- Website
- https://parabon-nanolabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Parabon NanoLabs provides forensic DNA analysis services—primarily genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis—to U.S. law enforcement agencies, and sells DNA design and analytics software to research and pharmaceutical clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Parabon NanoLabs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forensic DNA Analysis
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD)
Keywords
Where Parabon NanoLabs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Parabon NanoLabs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Forensic DNA Analysis Services: Contracted forensic DNA analysis services for law enforcement agencies including genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis to solve cold cases and identify unknown individuals.
- DNA Analytics Software: Software tools and diagnostic tests for next-gen sequencing and SNP data analysis for forensic and medical applications.
- DNA Nanotech Design Software (inSēquio): DNA design software with free trial and subscription options for research institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Parabon NanoLabs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Parabon NanoLabs provides contracted forensic DNA analysis services to law enforcement through its Snapshot Advanced DNA Analysis platform, combining genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis to generate investigative leads for cold cases. The company also develops and sells DNA design software (inSēquio Design Studio) for nanotechnology and pharmaceutical research, along with DNA Analytics tools for next-generation sequencing and SNP data analysis.
Product overview
Parabon NanoLabs develops products at the intersection of DNA technology and computational science for life sciences and forensics. The portfolio includes Snapshot® Advanced DNA Analysis as the core forensic product, combining genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis. Supporting this is inSēquio Design Studio for DNA nanotechnology research, and DNA Analytics providing software tools for next-generation sequencing and SNP data analysis. The company integrates bits and bases through computation, chemistry, and genetic investigation to transform human health and public safety.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Snapshot: Advanced DNA analysis service combining genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis for forensic investigations
- inSēquio Design Studio
- Snapshot Genetic Genealogy
Products and services
- Snapshot Advanced DNA Analysis Forensic DNA analysis service that combines genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis to generate investigative leads from forensic DNA evidence for law enforcement cold case investigations, suspect identification, and victim identification.
- inSēquio Design Studio DNA design software offering that enables researchers to revolutionize their work through powerful computational tools for designing synthetic DNA sequences for nanotech and pharmaceutical applications.
- DNA Analytics Software tools and diagnostic tests for deeply analyzing and understanding next-generation sequencing and SNP data for forensic and medical applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% DNA match confirmed for Nuria Rodriguez identification after 30+ years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Parabon NanoLabs
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Parabon NanoLabs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature5 records
Parabon NanoLabs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Parabon NanoLabs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Identix (forensic DNA services): Niche forensic DNA laboratories offering relationship testing and investigative genetic genealogy services in specific geographies, overlapping with Parabon's casework offerings.
Direct peers
- Bode Technology: Forensic DNA services provider offering traditional STR analysis, relationship testing, and advanced DNA capabilities to law enforcement — overlapping directly with Parabon's forensic services portfolio.
- Othram: Forensic genomics company specializing in genetic genealogy and advanced DNA analysis to resolve cold cases and unidentified remains, directly competing with Parabon's Snapshot service for law enforcement contracts.
- DNA Diagnostics Center: Relationship and forensic DNA testing laboratory offering kinship analysis, paternity, and identification services with a similar customer base of legal, governmental, and investigative clients.
- Gene by Gene: Parent of FamilyTreeDNA, operates a large consumer genealogy DNA database used by investigators; competes with Parabon in both consumer genetic testing and forensic IGG casework.
- Verogen (QIAGEN): Provides forensic DNA sequencing kits and the GEDmatch database used for investigative genetic genealogy; now owned by QIAGEN, offering direct competition to Parabon's Snapshot workflow with greater scale.
Emerging players
- Codex DNA: Provider of synthetic biology tools and DNA design platforms for vaccine and therapeutic development, comparable to inSēquio's nano-pharma R&D positioning.
- Twist Bioscience: Synthetic DNA and DNA design platform serving pharma and synthetic biology customers — adjacent competition for inSēquio in the DNA design software market.
Broad incumbents
- 23andMe: Consumer genetic testing platform with one of the largest DNA databases; competes indirectly as an alternative source of genetic genealogy data and as a broad incumbent in DNA analytics tooling.
- Ancestry: Consumer genealogy and DNA testing service with a massive opt-in database used by investigators; competes in the same genetic genealogy ecosystem as Parabon's Snapshot service.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Parabon NanoLabs social profiles
Digital presenceParabon NanoLabs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Parabon NanoLabs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Parabon NanoLabs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Parabon NanoLabs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Parabon NanoLabs
What does Parabon NanoLabs do?
Parabon NanoLabs provides contracted forensic DNA analysis services to law enforcement through its Snapshot Advanced DNA Analysis platform, combining genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis to generate investigative leads for cold cases. The company also develops and sells DNA design software (inSēquio Design Studio) for nanotechnology and pharmaceutical research, along with DNA Analytics tools for next-generation sequencing and SNP data analysis.
Is Parabon NanoLabs a public or private company?
Parabon NanoLabs is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Parabon NanoLabs founded?
Parabon NanoLabs was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Parabon NanoLabs based?
Parabon NanoLabs is headquartered in Reston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Parabon NanoLabs make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Forensic DNA Analysis Services are the primary driver. The others are DNA Analytics Software and DNA Nanotech Design Software (inSēquio).
Who are Parabon NanoLabs's main competitors?
Identix (forensic DNA services) is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Bode Technology, Othram, DNA Diagnostics Center, Gene by Gene and Verogen (QIAGEN). Emerging players are Codex DNA and Twist Bioscience. Broad incumbents are 23andMe and Ancestry.
Does Parabon NanoLabs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Parabon NanoLabs.
What industry is Parabon NanoLabs in?
Parabon NanoLabs's product category is Forensic DNA Analysis. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAF, Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays), with a secondary code of HLAAALAD, Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.