California Institute for Biodiversity

What California Institute for Biodiversity does

The California Institute for Biodiversity (CIB) is a Berkeley, California-based nonprofit founded in 1995 that coordinates scientists, conservationists, philanthropists, educators, and policymakers to safeguard California's biodiversity. Originally focused on K-12 environmental education through its Cal Alive! curricula (delivered in partnership with Fresno State and CSU East Bay), CIB executed a strategic renewal in 2020 that broadened its mission to include biodiversity research, conservation financing, seed banking, museum collections rescue, de-extinction, and policy advocacy. Headcount is described as a "lean team" of 1-10 employees.

CIB's core technical platform is the California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI), a voucher-based, DNA-powered inventory of California's biodiversity hotspot organized into five taxonomic workstreams (Insecta, Funga, Soil, Intertidal, and eDNA). Supporting technologies include a DNA barcode reference library built with BOLD and partner museums (Essig, Bohart, Jepson, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology), environmental DNA analysis via CALeDNA and eDNA Explorer, hyperspectral imaging and computer vision for species/seed analysis, ML-driven robotics for sorting micron-scale specimens into next-gen sequencing pipelines, and agentic AI systems that autonomously produce publications and mint DOIs. Programmatic offerings include Miyawaki Method Pocket Forests for schools and communities, a Land Conservation Accelerator, scientific collections infrastructure funding, orphan collections rescue, seed banking, the Monarch Rescue program, and de-extinction work on California Monardella mints.

CIB operates as a grant-funded nonprofit with no commercial product revenue. Funding sources include the State of California, private philanthropy, crowdfunding via Experiment.com and PayPal Giving Fund, and donations of appreciated securities and land. CIB distributes "hundreds of grants" to early-career scientists and partner organizations via Common Grant applications and direct partnerships. It functions as a convener and pass-through funder rather than a direct service provider: it has secured $6.3M for rare-plant seedbanking and $8M for California Wildlife Conservation Board habitat grants, with the dollars flowing primarily to partners. The organization reports no disclosed operating revenue and is privately held with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

California Institute for Biodiversity

Legal name

California Institute for Biodiversity

Website

https://calalive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

California Institute for Biodiversity is a 1995 Berkeley-based nonprofit that coordinates scientists, conservationists, philanthropists, and policymakers to safeguard California's biodiversity via the CalATBI DNA inventory, Cal Alive! education curricula, conservation grants, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Conservation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps) (EUAHAHAM), Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation
• DNA barcoding services
• Environmental education
• Scientific collections rescue
• Habitat restoration programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: CIB receives funding from State of California and private philanthropy to rescue natural history collections and support field, museum, and lab work for insect, fungi, and soil biodiversity efforts

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The California Institute for Biodiversity coordinates and funds biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and K-12 environmental education in California. It advances the California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI), develops DNA barcode reference libraries, deploys robotics/AI/eDNA technology for species discovery, delivers Cal Alive! curricula and teacher training, and grants funds for seed banking, scientific collections rescue, de-extinction efforts, habitat restoration, and Miyawaki Method pocket forests.

Product overview

The California Institute for Biodiversity operates as a conservation organization offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include CalATBI (California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory) — a voucher-based, DNA-powered biodiversity inventory — supported by the DNA Barcoding Library for species identification. Educational programs feature the Cal Alive! portfolio of curricula and teacher training. Conservation initiatives span land protection (Land Conservation Accelerator Project), seed banking, scientific collections rescue, and de-extinction efforts. Advanced technology programs deploy Machine Learning, hyperspectral imaging, and autonomous AI agents for species discovery and data analysis. The organization also runs community-focused initiatives including Pocket Forests using the Miyawaki Method and Monarch Rescue programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI): A voucher-based, DNA-powered inventory of California's global biodiversity hotspot, currently completing five areas: Insecta, Funga, Soil Biodiversity, Intertidal Biodiversity, and environmental DNA (eDNA).
• Cal Alive!

Products and services

• California All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (CalATBI) A voucher-based, DNA-powered inventory of California's global biodiversity hotspot covering five taxonomic areas: Insecta, Funga, Soil Biodiversity, Intertidal Biodiversity, and environmental DNA (eDNA), used by scientists and conservation partners to document species.
• Cal Alive! Educational Materials Biodiversity curricula, educational resources, activity books, DVDs, digital resources, and professional development workshops for K-12 teachers and students, integrating field investigations with hands-on classroom and outdoor activities.
• DNA Barcoding Library Voucher-based DNA barcode reference library for all California biodiversity, providing baseline data for conservation action and enabling 21st century monitoring and assessment of species evolution in response to climate change.
• Pocket Forests for Schools and Communities Miyawaki Method pocket forests installed in urban areas to provide communities access to nature, including installations for Berkeley schools and supported by state legislation for a CAL FIRE program.
• Land Conservation Accelerator Project Portfolio of conservation reforms including land trusts for underserved areas, Ecosystem Development Financial Institutions, shared revolving loan funds for nonprofits, and novel approaches for landowner conservation.
• Seed Banking & Restoration Support for partners collecting local native plant seeds for restoration and seed banking, including securing $6.3M for rare plant seed banking and certification for locally-appropriate source-identified seeds.
• De-extinction of Lost Species Effort to revive extinct California Monardella mints through harvesting seeds from antique herbarium specimens, analyzing via hyperspectral imaging and AI, and propagating for potential wild reintroduction.
• Monarch Rescue Program Program addressing Western Monarch decline through pesticide reform, habitat restoration, and emergency population rescue efforts, having secured $8M for California Wildlife Conservation Board Monarch habitat grants.
• Orphan Collections Rescue Identification of at-risk biodiversity collections and funding for supplies, equipment, and rescue personnel to secure specimens of extinct species and samples from irretrievably lost habitats.

Quantifiable outcome

• $6.3M secured for seed banking California rare plants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adventure ScientistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure Scientists has teamed up with CIB on the California Insect Biodiversity Project to help document the biodiversity of the state by 2030.
• BOLD (Barcode of Life Datasystems)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational consortium supporting DNA barcoding library development for all California biodiversity.
• Bohart Museum of EntomologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Davis museum partner for insect biodiversity research and specimen preservation.
• CALeDNAcoreTechnology or IntegrationEnvironmental DNA technology partner for biodiversity monitoring and species detection.
• California Academy of SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research institution partner in biodiversity science and conservation.
• California Department of Food and AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner for agricultural biodiversity and pest management.
• eDNA ExplorercoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform partner for environmental DNA data exploration and analysis.
• Essig Museum of EntomologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Berkeley museum partner for insect biodiversity research and collections.
• Experiment.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrowdfunding platform partner for scientific research funding.
• FunDiS (Fungal Diversity Survey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for fungal biodiversity documentation in California.
• Jepson HerbariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Berkeley partner for plant biodiversity research and specimen preservation.
• Museum of Vertebrate ZoologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Berkeley partner for vertebrate biodiversity research and collections.
• Natural History Museum of LA CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor museum partner for biodiversity research and education in Southern California.
• Point Blue Conservation SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation science partner for ecosystem monitoring and restoration.
• Pollinator PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for pollinator conservation and habitat restoration efforts.
• Revive & RestorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for de-extinction and species revival efforts including California Monardella mints.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation partner for wildlife science and breeding programs.
• Santa Barbara Botanic GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for plant conservation and botanical education.
• Silicon Valley Barcode of LifecoreTechnology or IntegrationRegional DNA barcoding initiative partner for biodiversity identification.
• Smithsonian InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor national partner for biodiversity research and collections.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation organization partner for land protection and habitat management.
• UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for biodiversity research, education, and specimen collections.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for agricultural and environmental research.
• UC RiversidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for biodiversity and entomology research.
• UC Santa CruzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for environmental and marine research.
• University of California Natural Reserve SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of natural reserves for field research and biodiversity monitoring.
• Center for Plant ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for plant conservation and endangered species preservation.
• Coastal QuestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for coastal ecosystem conservation.
• Stillwater SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental consulting partner for ecosystem assessment.
• Sierra Streams InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner for Sierra Nevada ecosystem conservation.
• Nature CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation partner for nature education and habitat protection.
• SaveNature.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for conservation and wildlife preservation.
• San Francisco ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for urban wildlife conservation and education.
• Western Foundation of Vertebrate ZoologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for vertebrate specimen collections preservation.
• San Diego Natural History MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional museum partner for Southern California biodiversity research.
• MongabayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for biodiversity news and conservation storytelling.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (California): One of the world's largest conservation organizations with deep California operations covering land protection, habitat management, and policy advocacy. A CIB partner, TNC operates at vastly greater scale and budget than CIB but overlaps on land conservation and biodiversity priorities.
• Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of Natural History): Major U.S. research institution operating the world's largest natural history collections and conducting global biodiversity research. Listed as a CIB partner, the Smithsonian is a broader incumbent with overlapping biodiversity collections, research, and education missions.

Direct peers

• Center for Plant Conservation: National network dedicated to preventing the extinction of rare plant species through seed banking, conservation horticulture, and recovery planning. Listed as a CIB partner, it is a direct peer on rare plant conservation and seed banking work.
• Point Blue Conservation Science: California-based conservation science nonprofit focused on ecosystem monitoring, climate-smart conservation, and habitat restoration. Already a CIB partner, Point Blue is a direct peer in applied biodiversity science and habitat monitoring across California.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: International nonprofit focused on the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats, particularly pollinators and aquatic species. Strong peer overlap with CIB's insect biodiversity work and pollinator conservation via the Pollinator Partnership partnership.
• Revive & Restore: California-based nonprofit advancing genetic rescue and de-extinction science, including the California Monardella mints project that overlaps with CIB's de-extinction program. Direct peer in applying biotech and conservation science to species recovery.
• Pollinator Partnership: International nonprofit dedicated to pollinator conservation and habitat protection. Already a CIB partner, Pollinator Partnership is a direct peer on pollinator-focused biodiversity conservation work in California.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Major California conservation organization combining wildlife science, breeding programs, and habitat protection. CIB lists SD Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a core partner; the two share species conservation, rewilding, and applied biodiversity work in California.
• California Native Plant Society: California-focused nonprofit working to conserve California native plants and habitats through advocacy, education, and rare plant protection. Direct peer on California-native plant biodiversity, habitat conservation, and seed banking programs.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based research institution and natural history museum conducting biodiversity research, maintaining scientific collections, and delivering public education programs. CIB partners with Cal Academy on biodiversity science, making it a direct peer in California's biodiversity research and education ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cal_alive
• Facebookfacebook.com/CAInstituteforBiodiversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about California Institute for Biodiversity