Zoologische Staatssammlung München

Name

Zoologische Staatssammlung München

Legal name

SNSB – Zoologische Staatssammlung München

Website

https://zsm.snsb.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1811

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural History Research Museum & Zoological Collection

NAICS

Museums (71211), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Natural history collections
• Taxonomic research
• DNA barcoding services
• Specimen digitization
• Zoological reference collections

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM) is a state zoological research collection and museum that preserves 22 million zoological specimens across 13 taxonomic sections and provides scientific reference, DNA barcoding, molecular laboratory, and specimen digitization services to researchers worldwide. Its core offerings combine physical specimen curation with proprietary digitization technology (DScan 2.0, DiversityScanner AI) and a dedicated molecular laboratory. Complementary offerings include the Spixiana peer-reviewed scientific journal, a specialized zoological library of 113,796+ volumes, and public engagement through exhibitions and citizen science.

Product overview

The Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM) operates as a collection-oriented research institution rather than a commercial product company. Its primary offerings center on zoological specimen collection management, digitization, and research services. The core infrastructure includes the physical collection of approximately 22 million zoological objects and a digitized specimen management system. Key products include DScan 2.0 for drawer digitization, the DiversityScanner for automated specimen sorting using AI, and DScan Mobile for collection data management. Supporting services include molecular laboratory analysis (DNA extraction, sequencing), DNA storage repository, micromorphology and SEM imaging facilities, and the Spixiana scientific journal. Research projects like GBOL III: Dark Taxa and Barcoding Fauna Bavarica provide DNA barcoding services. The institution also maintains specialized zoological library resources and international research station partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spixiana: Scientific journal published by ZSM (ISSN 0341-8391), publishing peer-reviewed articles in zoology, preferably in taxonomy, morphology, phylogenetics, zoogeography and methodology. Published annually with two issues. Impact Factor 2024/25: 0.3.
• Spixiana Supplement

Products and services

• DScan 2.0 Drawer Digitalization System An integrated digitization system for digital capture of insect drawers, using a Phase One XF camera with IQ4 150MP back, Schneider-Kreuznach 120mm macro lens, Hensel flash system, and mobile/stationary applications for specimen data recording. Used by ZSM and partner institutions to digitize large entomological collections.
• DiversityScanner An automated specimen sorting device that uses Convolutional Neural Networks to sort insects from Malaise trap samples into taxonomic classes; insects are individually transferred to 96-well microplates for downstream molecular analysis. Developed in collaboration with Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and KIT.
• High-Throughput Insect Photography System Custom photographic system using Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II with 60mm macro, Raynox DCR-250, and Mitutoyo microscope objectives; capable of producing 100+ depth-focused image stacks in under 30 seconds. Used for DNA barcoding voucher photography and type specimen documentation.
• Molecular Laboratory Services DNA extraction and analysis services including PCR, long-range PCR, real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, NGS library preparation, ddRAD, and target gene capturing for phylogenetic and population genetic research on animal species.
• DNA Storage Repository Long-term preservation of DNA and tissue samples at -80°C, -25°C, or +4°C in 2D-barcode tubes (96-well format), with metadata linkage to voucher specimens. Established in 2007 as part of the DNA-Speicher-Netzwerk (German DNA Storage Network).
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Scanning electron microscopy services using a Leo 1430VP instrument in conventional, low-voltage, low-vacuum, and QBSE modes for various specimen types; available to researchers including LMU Biozentum scientists.
• Micromorphology Laboratory Micromorphological analysis services including serial sectioning for light and electron microscopy, whole-mount staining techniques, SEM sample preparation, and 3D reconstruction using Amira software.
• Zoological Library One of Europe's largest specialized zoological libraries with over 113,796 volumes, approximately 1,500 current journals, and valuable historical works dating to the 16th century. Read-only access for staff, associated society members, biologists, and visiting researchers.
• Spixiana Journal Peer-reviewed scientific journal published by ZSM (ISSN 0341-8391, Impact Factor 2024/25: 0.3), covering zoology topics including taxonomy, morphology, phylogenetics, zoogeography, and methodology. Published annually with two issues plus the Spixiana Supplement series. Distributed via Pfeil-Verlag.
• Barcoding Fauna Bavarica (BFB) Long-running DNA barcoding initiative generating a genetic reference library for all approximately 35,000 Bavarian animal species to enable accurate species identification including all life stages. Funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture (2009-2018 and beyond).
• GBOL III: Dark Taxa Third phase of the German Barcode of Life project, focused on integrative-taxonomic discovery of previously unknown species ('Dark Taxa') in native German fauna via DNA barcoding of Diptera and parasitoid Hymenoptera. Coordinated by ZSM and funded by BMBF with over 3.5 million euros over three years.
• Visiting Researcher Programme Research visits by appointment for scientists requiring access to ZSM's 22 million physical zoological specimens, type specimens, and laboratory facilities across 13 taxonomic sections.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 million zoological objects preserved and catalogued
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Museum für Naturkunde BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation in biodiversity research, including IndoBioSys project (2015-2018) funded by BMBF and VIETBIO project. Joint development of integrated biodiversity discovery and monitoring systems.
• Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational partner maintaining and developing the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). DNA barcoding at ZSM is conducted in close cooperation with CBG.
• Research Center for Biology – LIPI (Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in IndoBioSys project for Indonesian biodiversity discovery and information system, conducted 2015-2018.
• Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on DiversityScanner development with Christian Pytuliak's group, currently further developing the AI-based robotic system for automated insect sorting.
• Universität Sapienza RomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on DiversityScanner development for automated biodiversity analysis.
• Forschungsmuseen Bonn und StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperating research museums in GBOL III: Dark Taxa project for integrative taxonomic discovery of megadiverse insect taxa.
• Universität WürzburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in GBOL III: Dark Taxa project focusing on DNA barcoding of German fauna.
• Entomologische Gesellschaft KrefeldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GBOL III: Dark Taxa project for discovering previously unknown species in native fauna.
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSequencing services for NGS projects and high-throughput sequencing at the university's sequencing center; scientists from LMU Biozentrum use ZSM's SEM facilities.
• Münchner Entomologische Gesellschaft e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated society with library administered by ZSM since 1905; publishes Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft.
• Ornithologische Gesellschaft in Bayern e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated society with library administered by ZSM since 1909; publishes Anzeiger der Ornithologischen Gesellschaft.
• CETAF (Consortium of European Taxonomic Infrastructures)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZSM/SNSB contributes to development of Code of Conduct for Access and Benefit-Sharing as part of this European consortium of non-commercial scientific institutions.
• Leibniz-Rechenzentrum (LRZ)coreTechnology or IntegrationData backup and storage support for ZSM IT infrastructure.
• Pfeil-VerlagminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of Spixiana journal and Spixiana Supplement series.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (University of Guelph): Operator of the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) and ZSM's most direct partner and global reference for DNA barcoding methodology. Compares directly on molecular laboratory infrastructure and reference library construction for animal species.
• Senckenberg Nature Research Society: German Leibniz Institute operating multiple natural history museums and major zoological collections, with comparable biodiversity research, DNA barcoding, and library infrastructure. A direct competitor for German federal biodiversity research grants and taxonomic leadership.
• Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (Stockholm): Swedish natural history museum with comparable zoological collections, DNA barcoding programs (Swedish Barcode of Life), and library resources. A northern European peer with overlapping research scope and funding model.
• Museum für Naturkunde Berlin: Germany's largest natural history museum and ZSM's most direct domestic peer. The two jointly developed the DiversityScanner with KIT and have run IndoBioSys and GBOL III together, sharing DNA barcoding infrastructure and biodiversity informatics methodology.
• Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris): Major French national natural history institution with comparable zoological collections, library, and research mandate. Overlaps with ZSM in taxonomic research, DNA barcoding contributions, and European biodiversity policy participation.
• Natural History Museum of Denmark (University of Copenhagen): University-affiliated Danish natural history museum with comparable zoological research collections, molecular laboratory facilities, and active participation in European DNA barcoding networks and CETAF.
• Naturhistorisches Museum Wien: Austrian natural history museum of similar scale, holding comparable zoological collections (including historically important 19th-century material) and operating overlapping taxonomic and DNA barcoding programs in the German-speaking research ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Global leader in natural history collections (150M+ specimens) with significant investment in digitization and genomics. A broader incumbent with overlapping research scope in zoological taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and biodiversity informatics.
• Natural History Museum London: One of the world's largest and most digitized natural history museums with comparable zoological collections, large-scale digitization programs, and DNA barcoding initiatives. Operates at materially greater scale, funding, and global visitor reach than ZSM.
• Museum of Comparative Zoology (Harvard): Major US university-affiliated zoological collection with deep historical holdings, active genomic and digitization programs, and a strong Lepidoptera collection. Overlaps with ZSM in systematic research and DNA barcoding methodology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zoologische-staatssammlung-m%C3%BCnchen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zoologische Staatssammlung München