What The Colossal Foundation does

The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2024 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that serves as the conservation arm of Colossal Biosciences. It deploys breakthrough bioscience — CRISPR gene editing, ancient DNA assembly, advanced reproductive biology, AI-powered bioacoustics, drone-based computer vision, and cryopreservation biobanking — to partner-led conservation initiatives targeting critically endangered and "lost" species across six continents and 12+ countries. Its operations are organized around three interconnected programs: Saving Today's at Risk Species (genetic rescue for species such as the northern white rhino, red wolf, pink pigeon, and northern quoll), Vital R&D for Conservation (AI and biotechnology for wildlife monitoring), and Ensuring Tomorrow's Biodiversity (the Colossal BioVault and Species Reintroduction Fund). The Foundation supports roughly 24 active projects, has produced landmark outcomes including the first cloned American Red Wolf (Neka Kayda), 81 Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon hatchlings, 29 viable northern white rhino embryos, and 150+ free-ranging Bolson tortoises.

The Foundation's core "products" are grant-funded technology deployments rather than commercial offerings: the Colossal BioVault (the world's largest distributed biobank, anchored by the Colossal 100 prioritized species list and reference genomes), the Species Reintroduction Fund ($250,000 annually in partnership with Re:wild), and program-specific platforms such as the AI wolf bioacoustics pipeline (GrizCam, >92% individual howl identification accuracy), elephant drone-ML tracking, orphan-elephant reintroduction analytics, EEHV mRNA/protein subunit/monoclonal antibody vaccine development with Baylor College of Medicine, cane-toad toxin resistance engineering via iPSCs and CRISPR, and chytrid fungus antibody engineering in amphibians. Underlying technical differentiators include multiplex gene editing pipelines, primordial germ cell (PGC) culturing for avian genetic rescue, museum-specimen ancient-DNA reconstruction, and modular ML pipelines that ingest bioacoustic, video, and genomic data with minimal human intervention.

The Foundation's revenue model is philanthropic rather than commercial: it is funded by grants, donations, and direct capital from Colossal Biosciences, with total capital raised of $100 million as of December 2025 ($50M initial tranche plus an additional $50M raised in December 2025). It does not sell products or services; instead, it flows technology, funding, and in-kind scientific expertise to a network of 20+ conservation NGOs, zoos, universities, and Indigenous communities through direct grant partnerships. Named large commitments include $3M over three years for chytrid research, $500K over ten years to the Nez Perce Tribe for condor reintroduction, $500K for Bolson Tortoise restoration, and $250K annually to the Species Reintroduction Fund. GTM motion is community-led and relationship-driven, with earned media coverage (Yahoo, Wired, CNN, The Guardian, Forbes, Axios, New Scientist) and an inaugural 2025 Impact Report as the primary awareness channels.

Name

The Colossal Foundation

Legal name

The Colossal Foundation

Website

https://colossalfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys Colossal Biosciences' gene-editing, AI bioacoustics, and biobanking tools to partner-led conservation initiatives across six continents, funding 24 active projects targeting critically endangered species.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Biotechnology / De-extinction Nonprofit

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG)

Keywords

• Conservation biotechnology
• Species genetic rescue
• Wildlife biobanking
• Biodiversity conservation grants
• De-extinction research

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: The Colossal Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its primary revenue comes from grants, donations, and philanthropic funding. It recently doubled its capital to $100 million through an additional $50 million funding round. The foundation deploys funds as grants to conservation partners globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that grants funding, deploys proprietary bioscience tools (CRISPR gene editing, AI bioacoustics, cryopreservation biobanking, reproductive technologies), and partners directly with conservation NGOs, universities, Indigenous communities, zoos, and government agencies to deliver genetic rescue, wildlife monitoring, species reintroduction, and ecosystem restoration projects for critically endangered and extinct species across six continents.

Product overview

The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that serves as the nonprofit arm of Colossal Biosciences, focused on deploying breakthrough bioscience tools to prevent mass extinctions. The organization operates across three interconnected program areas: Saving Today's at Risk Species (genetic rescue initiatives for critically endangered species), Vital R&D for Conservation (AI and biotechnology development for wildlife monitoring), and Ensuring Tomorrow's Biodiversity (biobanking through the Colossal BioVault and species reintroduction via the Species Reintroduction Fund). Key products include the Colossal BioVault (the world's largest distributed biobanking initiative), the Species Reintroduction Fund ($250,000 annual commitment for rewilding), AI-powered bioacoustic monitoring systems for wolf and bird detection, drone-based elephant behavior tracking, genetic rescue programs for Northern White Rhinos, Red Wolves, and Pink Pigeons, EEHV vaccine development for elephants, cane toad resistance engineering for Northern Quolls, and amphibian chytrid fungus immunity engineering. The foundation supports 24 active conservation projects across six continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Colossal Foundation Conservation Programs Three interconnected program areas serving conservation partners: (1) Saving Today's at Risk Species — genetic rescue for critically endangered species; (2) Vital R&D for Conservation — AI, machine learning, and computational biology for wildlife monitoring; (3) Ensuring Tomorrow's Biodiversity — biobanking and species reintroduction.
• Colossal BioVault The world's largest distributed biobank initiative preserving genetic diversity of Earth's biosphere through cryopreserved DNA, tissues, reproductive cells, and reference genomes, starting with the Colossal 100 most endangered vertebrate species.
• Species Reintroduction Fund Annual $250,000 fund supporting global species reintroduction and rewilding initiatives, providing funding, genetic tools, technologies, and organizational support to conservation partners worldwide in partnership with Re:wild.
• 2025 Impact Report Inaugural Impact Report documenting the Foundation's 2025 conservation milestones, project outcomes, and species recovery metrics across its three program areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced Neka Kayda, the first cloned American Red Wolf — a clone of a ghost wolf with 70.8% Red Wolf ancestry — a world-first conservation cloning milestone
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability20 records

Feature14 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Colossal BiosciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Colossal Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction and species preservation company. United in the mission to make extinction a thing of the past, the foundation exists to bring Colossal's breakthrough science out of the lab and into the field. The foundation flows technological advancements — including gene editing, biobanking, and AI monitoring — to partner-led conservation initiatives globally.
• BioRescue Consortium (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Dvůr Králové Zoo)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerColossal Foundation and BioRescue partnered to save the northern white rhino from complete extinction. BioRescue has spent 25+ years collecting oocytes from the last two rhinos (Fatu and Najin) and created 29 viable embryos. Colossal provides genetic rescue technology to restore lost genetic diversity from museum specimens, develop gene editing tools for cell lines, and generate reference genomes. Prof. Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt leads the BioRescue team.
• IPB University (Institut Pertanian Bogor)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IPB University for Sumatran Rhino conservation. Colossal facilitated a pivotal three-day summit in March 2023 with global Sumatran rhino conservation stakeholders in Dallas. IPB provides local scientific expertise and leadership in Indonesia's national conservation breeding program, with Colossal providing funding, ART technologies, and genetic sequencing support.
• Re:wildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRe:wild, co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio, is partnered with Colossal Foundation on Sumatran Rhino conservation and co-manages the Species Reintroduction Fund. Re:wild brings global reach in rewilding initiatives and works with Indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Elephant Havens Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColossal Foundation partnered with Elephant Havens, the only elephant orphanage in Botswana, to establish a new model for reintroducing orphan elephants using AI to study and compare behaviors of orphaned and wild elephants. Colossal deploys machine learning algorithms to analyze video data for herd dynamics insights and conducts genomic sequencing on all elephants at the facility.
• Save the ElephantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElephant Drone Behavior Tracking collaboration between Colossal Foundation and Save the Elephants (November 2023 – May 2026). Drones equipped with high-resolution and infrared cameras collect behavioral data on African elephants; machine learning algorithms analyze movements and social interactions. Fritz Vollrath, Chairman of Save the Elephants, leads the research.
• Baylor College of Medicine (Dr. Paul Ling)coreTechnology or IntegrationColossal Foundation collaborates with Dr. Paul Ling, world's leading EEHV researcher at Baylor College of Medicine, to develop mRNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and monoclonal antibody treatments for Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus — the leading cause of death in juvenile elephants in zoos and the wild.
• University of Melbourne (TIGRR Lab / Prof. Andrew Pask)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColossal Foundation collaborates with the University of Melbourne's TIGRR Lab (headed by Prof. Andrew Pask, Colossal Scientific Advisor) to engineer cane toad toxin resistance in Northern Quolls using CRISPR gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cells. Successfully validated approach in fat-tailed dunnart cells using genetic features from natural toad predators.
• Mauritian Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mauritian Wildlife Foundation for Pink Pigeon genetic rescue. Using DNA preserved in museum specimens, Colossal's gene editing tools (originally developed for dodo de-extinction) are applied to restore lost genetic variations into today's pink pigeon population via primordial germ cell culturing and surrogate parent techniques.
• Gulf Coast Canine Project (Dr. Kristin Brzeski & Dr. Bridgett vonHoldt)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ghost Wolf Genetic Rescue Initiative is co-led by Dr. Kristin Brzeski (Michigan Tech) and Dr. Bridgett vonHoldt (Princeton University). Their field expertise and genomic analyses discovered the ghost wolf — a wild canid carrying high proportions of ancestral Red Wolf DNA. The project combines their academic research with Colossal's cloning and gene editing capabilities to produce Neka Kayda, the first cloned red wolf.
• Karankawa Tribe of TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Karankawa Tribe of Texas is a cultural and community partner in the Ghost Wolf Genetic Rescue Initiative. The tribe's ancestral connection to the Gulf Coast and the red wolf is honored in the project naming (Neka Kadya/Kayda). The partnership exemplifies community-led conservation that respects Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty.
• American Wolf FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Ghost Wolf Genetic Rescue Initiative and red wolf conservation efforts, contributing expertise in wolf management and habitat restoration.
• Yellowstone ForevercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColossal Foundation supports the Yellowstone Wolf Project through a bioacoustics initiative in partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. The project deploys GrizCam acoustic/video traps across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to monitor wolf populations using AI, with data analyzed by Colossal's AI team.
• Grizzly Systems Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationGrizzly Systems Inc. (founders Cody Goldhahn and Jeff Reed) developed the GrizCam — an integrated acoustic and video camera trap. The company has been developing advanced camera trap solutions with built-in acoustic recorders. Colossal Foundation's support funded 25 additional GrizCam units for deployment in Yellowstone and on Nez Perce tribal lands.
• Nez Perce Tribe Wildlife DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nez Perce Tribe's Wildlife Division partners with Colossal Foundation on two initiatives: (1) California Condor reintroduction to ancestral Nez Perce lands ($500,000 ten-year commitment) and (2) a pilot deployment of GrizCam acoustic monitoring on tribal lands to track wolf packs, combining bioacoustic technology with the tribe's on-the-ground expertise and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Yurok TribeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYurok Tribe is a partner in the Camas to Condors (C2C) coalition working on California condor recovery alongside the Nez Perce Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other organizations.
• Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPÊ (Brazilian Institute for Ecological Research), with support from the Colossal Foundation's Species Reintroduction Fund, leads black lion tamarin conservation through population management, habitat restoration of 2,000 acres, and community engagement in São Paulo's Pontal do Paranapanema region. Over 40 years of leadership has improved the species' status from Critically Endangered to Endangered.
• Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTESF leads Bolson Tortoise rewilding in New Mexico, with Colossal Foundation providing $500,000 for juvenile releases, monitoring of 150+ free-ranging tortoises, and publishing rewilding protocols. TESF bred and released the first U.S.-born Bolson tortoises in over 10,000 years.
• Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMSNH leads the Golden Skiffia reintroduction project in Mexico's Teuchitlán River, with support from the Species Reintroduction Fund. The project also targets the banded allotoca and Ameca shiner (both Extinct-in-the-Wild). Colossal Foundation supports river restoration, hatchery expansion (2,000+ individuals per species), and community engagement.
• Viet Nature Conservation Centre & Zoological Society of London (ZSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerViet Nature (local NGO) and ZSL (global conservation charity operating London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo) lead Vietnam Pheasant reintroduction to protected forest reserves in Quang Binh Province. The project includes expansion of the Rare Pheasant Breeding Centre, translocation planning workshop, and operational support, with Colossal Foundation funding accelerating mission-critical steps.
• Centro JambatucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro Jambatu, Ecuador's leading amphibian research and conservation center, leads the Wampukrum Harlequin Frog reintroduction in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With Colossal Foundation support (June 2025 – May 2026), the project aims to breed at least 6 egg clutches and release 800+ tadpoles, juveniles, and adults to Morona Santiago Province.
• Zoos VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoos Victoria leads the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon conservation breeding program at Melbourne Zoo, with Colossal Foundation providing funding for interim quarantine housing, genome sequencing, and genetic relatedness mapping. From 39 rediscovered individuals, 11 breeding pairs produced 81 hatchlings.
• Samoa Conservation Society, BirdLife International & IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to locate the lost tooth-billed pigeon ('little dodo') using AI-powered bioacoustic monitoring. AI algorithms are being developed to detect and identify tooth-billed pigeon calls from microphones deployed in Samoan forests, with real-time alerts to conservation authorities.
• Dr. Frankenberg & Dr. Pask Research TeamcoreTechnology or IntegrationColossal Foundation committed $3 million over three years to support chytrid fungus immunity engineering research. Initial work uses the invasive cane toad as a model species to test and refine the approach. Once validated, technology will be applied to critically endangered Australian amphibians (great spotted tree frog, green and golden bell frog, corroboree frog).
• Houston ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston Zoo participates in Dr. Paul Ling's 'Bench to Barn' EEHV research program, which focuses on diagnostics, treatments, and vaccine development. The zoo's elephant program provides clinical context for the vaccine development effort.
• Conservation NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner listed on the Colossal Foundation Partners page, focused on conservation efforts.
• RewildingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRewilding is a conservation partner supporting Sumatran rhino efforts and broader rewilding initiatives.
• Vertebrate Genomes ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Colossal BioVault initiative, contributing to reference genome generation for the Colossal 100 prioritized species list.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature):

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Operates the Frozen Zoo, the world's most established cryopreserved biobank, and runs major conservation breeding and reintroduction programs. Directly comparable through biobanking infrastructure (analog to Colossal BioVault) and species recovery work in similar vertebrate taxa.
• Conservation International: Major global conservation NGO with significant funding flows and species-focused field programs. Comparable in conservation grantmaking scale, geographic reach, and partnership-driven reintroduction model across similar threatened species.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits with multi-billion-dollar annual revenue and a strong land/habitat conservation focus. Comparable scale of grantmaking, multi-continent footprint, and conservation partnership model, though less biotech-oriented.
• Zoological Society of London (ZSL): International conservation charity operating London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo with active field programs in species recovery. Directly comparable as a partner (Vietnam Pheasant, Sumatran Rhino) and in zoo-based conservation breeding and reintroduction methodology.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Major global conservation NGO operating zoos and field programs across 100+ countries with a $500M+ budget. Comparable in species-focused conservation grantmaking, field partnership model, and global multi-continent footprint, though without biotech R&D focus.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): The largest global conservation NGO, operating species programs across all continents with multi-billion-dollar funding flows. Comparable as a global species conservation grantmaker with similar target species (rhinos, elephants, big cats) and partnership ecosystem.
• Panthera: Global wild cat conservation NGO focused on species-level recovery, anti-poaching, and reintroduction. Comparable in species-specific focus, field-driven grantmaking, and partnership model with Indigenous and local community stakeholders in similar geographies.

Direct peers

• Re:wild: Global rewilding nonprofit co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio that partners with the Colossal Foundation on the Species Reintroduction Fund. Directly comparable in species reintroduction, ecosystem restoration focus, and Indigenous community partnership model across similar geographies.
• Revive & Restore: The leading nonprofit applying genetic rescue and biotechnology to species conservation, including de-extinction-adjacent work. Directly comparable to the Colossal Foundation in mission (biotech-driven conservation), use of CRISPR and ancient DNA, and species focus (passenger pigeon, black-footed ferret).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Colossal Foundation