Centre for Biodiversity Genomics

What Centre for Biodiversity Genomics does

The Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG) is a non-profit research facility within the University of Guelph, founded in 2005 and headquartered in a 50,000 ft² purpose-built complex in Guelph, Ontario. It is the global leader in DNA-based species identification, having developed and operationalized the DNA barcoding method pioneered by its founder Dr. Paul Hebert, which uses sequence diversity in a short standardized gene region (COI) to discriminate species rapidly and inexpensively. CBG serves academic researchers, government agencies, museums, conservation organizations, and an emerging set of agricultural and industrial clients worldwide, with active collaborations in 41+ countries through the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Consortium and the Global Malaise Trap Program (48+ countries).

The Centre's core technology stack combines high-throughput DNA sequencing (Pacific Biosciences Sequel II, Oxford Nanopore, Sanger) in the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB), high-resolution automated imaging (Keyence VHX-7000 microscopes producing ~3M images per year), and high-performance computing infrastructure (1,250+ processors, 325 TB storage) supporting two flagship informatics platforms: BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System), the world's largest DNA barcode repository with 20M+ specimen records and 19M+ barcodes representing 1M+ species, and mBRAVE, a high-throughput sequencing analytics platform launched in 2019. The proprietary Barcode Index Number (BIN) system provides algorithmic taxonomy that functions as a de facto global standard for dark taxa. CBG processes 3M+ specimens and generates 30,000+ identifications per week, having reduced per-specimen cost from $20 in 2005 to under $0.01 today.

Revenue is generated primarily through multi-year competitive grants from Canadian federal and provincial sources (CFI, Genome Canada, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, NSERC, Ontario) and complementary international foundations (Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, AEON). A secondary revenue stream comes from DNA barcoding services delivered to academic, governmental, and private research organizations. Distribution occurs through direct research collaboration, the BOLD/mBRAVE web platforms, and standardized field programs (Global Malaise Trap, BIOSCAN) that route specimens to CBG for processing. Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led: thought leadership is built through scientific publications (nearly 2,000 publications cite CBG analytical support), conferences, and international consortium coordination rather than commercial sales motions. CBG's leadership includes a Canada Research Chair in Machine Learning as Chief Data Officer, signaling embedded AI/ML capability for image-based taxonomy, predictive biodiversity modeling, and automated quality control.

Name

Centre for Biodiversity Genomics

Legal name

Centre for Biodiversity Genomics

Website

https://biodiversitygenomics.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Centre for Biodiversity Genomics is a University of Guelph non-profit research facility that pioneered DNA barcoding and operates the world's largest DNA barcode repository (BOLD) and high-throughput sequencing analytics platform (mBRAVE), serving academic, government, museum, conservation, and agricultural clients across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Genomics Research Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Libraries and Archives (51921), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sample / Biorepository & Biobank Informatics (Chain-of-Custody) (HLAGAJAH), Biobank & Biospecimen Management LIMS (HLACAMAG), Microbiome Analytics, Sequencing & Bioinformatics Platforms (HLAAAFAI), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE), Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE)

Keywords

• DNA barcoding services
• Biodiversity genomics
• DNA sequencing
• Bioinformatics platforms
• Species identification

Headquarters

HQ city

Guelph

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: Major funding from Canadian federal agencies including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Genome Canada, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, and provincial sources. Funding supports research infrastructure, operations, and major research programs.
2. DNA Barcoding Services: Analytical services delivering genetic identification to academic, government, and private organizations. Processes millions of specimens annually from hundreds of research groups worldwide.
3. Technology Platform Funding: Genome Canada funding for technology platform development, including nanopore sequencing protocols and distributed sequencing network infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Centre for Biodiversity Genomics provides DNA barcoding, high-throughput sequencing, digital imaging, and bioinformatics services for global biodiversity research. Its core offerings include the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB) sequencing facility, the BOLD data repository and workbench, the mBRAVE high-throughput analytics platform, and the BIN algorithmic taxonomy system, all anchored on the COI gene-region DNA barcoding method pioneered at the centre.

Product overview

The Centre for Biodiversity Genomics operates as a research facility with a unified platform architecture centered on DNA barcoding technology. The core offerings include BOLD (Barcode of Life Data Systems), the world's largest DNA barcode repository and workbench, and mBRAVE, a high-throughput sequencing analytics platform launched in 2019. The Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB) serves as the core sequencing facility processing over 3 million specimens annually. Key technology systems include the BIN taxonomy algorithm, automated imaging systems generating 3M+ images per year, and the Global Malaise Trap Program providing standardized sampling protocols. The Innovation Unit develops new protocols including nanopore technology applications. All services are coordinated through the BIOSCAN research program (2019-2028) which aims to build a planetary biodiversity observation system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System): The world's largest repository of DNA barcode data and workbench for supporting DNA barcode research.
• Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB)
• BIOSCAN

Products and services

• BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) The world's largest repository and workbench for DNA barcode data, supporting acquisition, storage, analysis, and publication of DNA barcode records. Hosts 19M+ DNA barcodes representing 1M+ species and provides over 30K specimen identifications per week.
• Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (CCDB) Sequencing Services The core genomics facility of CBG delivering genetic identification services to academic, government, and private organizations. Processes more than 3 million specimens per year, analyzing tissue samples to DNA barcode records, and is empowered by $7M in sequencing and liquid handling instrumentation.
• mBRAVE (Multiplex Barcode Research And Visualization Environment) Platform launched in 2019 for storing, validating, analyzing, and publishing DNA-based biodiversity survey data using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Focuses on big-data analytics and scalability for global biosurveillance projects.
• Global Malaise Trap Program Standardized sampling kit and protocol program for global biodiversity monitoring using Malaise traps. CBG provides equipment and processes samples for DNA barcoding through BOLD, with partners collecting samples worldwide.
• BIOSCAN Research Program International research program (2019-2028) to establish an Earth observation system for biodiversity, developing globally accessible DNA-based systems for species discovery, probing species interactions, and establishing biodiversity baselines. Aims to assemble a DNA barcode library for 2 million species.
• Innovation Unit Research and Development Services Develops new laboratory protocols and informatics systems, including applications of nanopore technology for distributed sequencing networks and methods for analyzing species interactions through long-read Hi-Fi sequencing.
• Education and Training Programs Sampling protocols, tutorials, workshops, and training for researchers on DNA barcoding, specimen processing, and biodiversity analysis methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• DNA barcoding cost reduced from $20 to less than $0.01 per specimen
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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 capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• International Barcode of Life (iBOL) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Global consortium establishing an Earth observation system for biodiversity. CBG serves as the central node and headquarters for iBOL, coordinating researchers and organizations from over 41 nations. BIOSCAN research program (2019-2028) aims to assemble DNA barcode library for 2 million species.
• Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArctic BIOSCAN project developing DNA-based biosurveillance system for Canadian Arctic, with support from Polar Knowledge Canada and Genome Canada. Enables community-based biodiversity monitoring in Nunavut.
• McCain Foods Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarms of the Future project uses DNA metabarcoding to identify practices that foster biological communities and enhance soil productivity in regenerative agriculture. McCain acquired 400-acre farm in New Brunswick to test farming practices.
• African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBGMP South Africa project developing inventory of arthropod species in South African National Botanic Gardens through DNA barcode analysis.
• Wellcome Sanger InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTree of Life Programme collaboration with Sanger scientists serving on CBG Science Committee and Board of Directors.
• McGill University, University of Toronto, Western University, York University, Simon Fraser University, University of VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborators on CFI Innovation Fund grant supporting CBG infrastructure transformation and biodiversity genomics research.
• Paul Hebert Centre for DNA Barcoding and Biodiversity Studies (PHCDBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia's central hub for DNA barcoding at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. Named after CBG founder Paul Hebert, opened new campus in 2023.
• Dynabiod (France)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner€45 million French research program led by CNRS and Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. CBG extending collaborations with Dynabiod alliance for biodiversity monitoring.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Earth BioGenome Project: International initiative aiming to sequence genomes of all eukaryotic life. Overlapping with CBG's BIOSCAN mission of comprehensive biodiversity cataloguing, but using whole-genome sequencing rather than DNA barcoding markers, positioning it as a broader but related genomic effort.
• Wellcome Sanger Institute: UK-based genomics research institute running the Darwin Tree of Life programme to sequence all British species. Comparable as a large-scale biodiversity genomics institution collaborating on CBG's Science Committee, with broader scope across human and pathogen genomics beyond CBG's barcoding specialization.
• Natural History Museum (London) - Darwin Tree of Life: Major UK natural history institution co-leading the Darwin Tree of Life biodiversity genomics programme with Sanger. Comparable to CBG as a large-scale biodiversity genomics effort, with broader museum collections and specimen digitization alongside DNA barcoding.

Regional players

• Atlas of Living Australia (ALA): Australian national biodiversity data infrastructure aggregating species occurrence records. Comparable to BOLD as a regional biodiversity informatics platform, but geographically scoped to Australia and focused on occurrence data rather than DNA barcodes.

Direct peers

• NatureMetrics: UK-based commercial eDNA and biodiversity genomics company offering species monitoring kits and analytics to enterprise and conservation clients. Directly comparable to CBG as a provider of DNA-based biodiversity services, but operating as a commercial for-profit rather than a research institution.
• Spygen: French eDNA company providing environmental DNA analysis for biodiversity monitoring and aquatic species detection. Directly comparable to CBG in DNA-based species identification using standardized genetic markers, with a stronger commercial focus on environmental consulting and regulatory markets.
• eDNAtec: Canadian eDNA company founded by Dr. Mehrdad Hajibabaei (CBG's CSO) providing genetic-based environmental monitoring for ocean industries and resource sectors. Directly comparable spin-out leveraging the same metabarcoding technology and founder expertise as CBG's commercial applications.

Others

• Geneious (Biomatters): Commercial bioinformatics platform for DNA and protein sequence analysis. Comparable to BOLD/mBRAVE as a sequence analysis and informatics tool used by genomics researchers, but sold as commercial software rather than provided as a free reference repository.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Intergovernmental network providing open access to biodiversity occurrence data. Ecosystem-comparable to BOLD as a foundational biodiversity data infrastructure, with broader occurrence/observational records versus CBG's molecular barcode specialization.

Emerging players

• NatureServe: US-based non-profit providing biodiversity data and conservation science to government and conservation clients. Comparable to CBG in serving conservation decision-makers with species and ecosystem data, but with more emphasis on terrestrial vertebrate and ecological data than molecular methods.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CBG_UofG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/iBOLConsortium
• Facebookfacebook.com/BiodiversityGenomics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-biodiversity-genomics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Biodiversity Genomics