What Vertebrate Genomes Project does

The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) is a non-profit scientific research consortium operating as a project of the G10K Consortium, with founding laboratories at Rockefeller University (New York), the Sanger Institute (UK), and the Max Planck Institute (Germany). The organization is generating near error-free reference genome assemblies for approximately 70,000 extant vertebrate species, executing a phased roadmap that begins with 271 species representing all vertebrate orders (Phase 1, ~85% complete) and extends to genus- and species-level coverage. The core technical stack combines third-generation sequencing platforms (PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore, Illumina) with Bionano optical maps, Arima Hi-C chromatin capture, and 10X Genomics linked reads, processed through a Galaxy-based assembly pipeline and validated against the 3.4.2.QV40 quality standard.

VGP's product portfolio comprises the Genome Ark (AWS-hosted public S3 repository integrated with NCBI, Ensembl, and UCSC), the Phase I Assembly Pipeline Version 2.0, and a suite of open-source tools released via GitHub (vgp-assembly, vgp-sampleprep, vgp-tools, vgp-metadata, vgp-trees). The project serves academic researchers, conservation organizations, zoological institutions, and downstream genome database users, with outputs including chromosome-level haplotype-phased assemblies, T2T reference genomes, and reference-free multi-way alignments developed in partnership with Ensembl and UCSC.

The business model is fundraising-based rather than revenue-generating. VGP raises capital through individual species sponsorships (priced $2,400-$73,500 per genome depending on genome size), institutional grants (notably NIH and NSF), and the affiliated G10K Consortium structure spanning 150+ members across 50+ institutions and 24+ contributing projects including Earth BioGenome Project, Darwin Tree of Life, ERGA, and Bat1K. All genomic data is released publicly under a 1-year embargo policy (reduced from 2 years effective May 2024), with no commercial licensing of outputs.

Name

Vertebrate Genomes Project

Legal name

Vertebrate Genomes Project

Website

https://vertebrategenomesproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Vertebrate Genomes Project is a non-profit research consortium under the G10K Consortium generating near error-free reference genome assemblies for approximately 70,000 extant vertebrate species, serving academic researchers, conservation organizations, and public genome databases through an open multi-technology sequencing pipeline and public data release.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Genomics Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Services (HLAGANAA)

Keywords

• Reference genome sequencing
• Vertebrate genomics consortium
• Comparative genomics research
• Conservation genomics
• Genome assembly pipeline

Headquarters

HQ city

New York City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The VGP raises funds through donations to support genome sequencing. Individual species can be funded by donors, with costs ranging from $2,400 to $73,500 per species depending on genome size. They have a Wall of Honor for funded species.
2. Grant Funding: The project relies heavily on grant funding for phases. To complete all phases of the VGP, approximately $600 million dollars is needed. Phase 1 requires approximately $6 million for 260 species.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) generates near error-free reference genome assemblies of approximately 70,000 extant vertebrate species through a phased approach (orders, families, genera, species). It produces and publicly distributes high-quality genomic data, annotations, assembly pipelines, and analytical tools via the Genome Ark, NCBI, Ensembl, and UCSC for use by the scientific and conservation communities.

Product overview

The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) is a scientific research consortium (project of the G10K Consortium) focused on generating near error-free reference genome assemblies of all ~70,000 extant vertebrate species. The VGP operates as a data generation and distribution initiative with a multi-phase strategy: Phase I targets ~271 species representing all vertebrate orders (currently ~85% complete), Phase II targets families, Phase III targets genera, and Phase IV targets all remaining species. The core product portfolio includes the Genome Ark (AWS-hosted public genome database), VGP Ensembl (annotation platform), UCSC VGP Genome Browser (visualization), and VGP GenBank (NCBI archive). The project provides open-source assembly pipelines (Galaxy-based), sample preparation protocols, and analytical tools via GitHub. Data follows a 1-year embargo policy from release (down from 2 years previously), with all genomic data made publicly available through international archives (NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC, ENA, DDBJ). The consortium has generated 600+ high-quality reference genomes including Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) references, driven by partnerships with leading sequencing technology providers (PacBio, Oxford Nanopore, Bionano, Arima Genomics, 10X Genomics) and computation platforms (Galaxy Project, DNAnexus).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Genome Ark A public AWS-hosted database that stores VGP raw reads, mitochondrial assemblies, and assembled genomes, integrated with NCBI, Ensembl, and UCSC for public browsing and analysis by researchers worldwide.
• VGP Ensembl Genome annotation platform providing standardized gene annotations and comparative genomics data across vertebrate species, accessible through the Ensembl browser.
• UCSC VGP Genome Browser

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of Phase 1 species (271 species) completed as of current status
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• IlluminacoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor sequencing technology partner from 2015-2025, providing sequencing platforms for VGP genome production efforts.
• Pacific Biosciences (PacBio)coreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary technology partner providing PacBio CLR and HiFi reads for initial genome assembly. VGP pipeline evolved from PacBio CLR to PacBio HiFi technology.
• Oxford NanoporecoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-read sequencing technology partner for generating high-quality genome assemblies.
• Bionano GenomicscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides optical mapping technology for scaffolding contigs into chromosome-level assemblies in the VGP pipeline.
• 10X GenomicscoreTechnology or IntegrationLinked reads technology partner used in VGP assembly pipeline Version 1.0 for long-range information.
• Arima GenomicscoreTechnology or IntegrationHi-C sequencing technology provider for chromatin conformation capture enabling chromosome-level scaffolding.
• Galaxy ProjectcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides the VGP assembly pipeline infrastructure (vgp.usegalaxy.org) for standardized genome assembly workflows.
• NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information)coreTechnology or IntegrationPublic genome archive and annotation center hosting VGP genome data through GenBank and BioProject.
• ENSEMBLcoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean genome annotation center collaborating on VGP alignments and genome browser access.
• UCSC Genome BrowsercoreTechnology or IntegrationUCSC provides VGP genome hubs and browser access for visualizing chromosome-level assemblies.
• BGImajorTechnology or IntegrationMajor sequencing center partner contributing to VGP genome sequencing efforts.
• Broad InstitutemajorTechnology or IntegrationSequencing center partner providing genome sequencing capabilities for VGP.
• Sanger InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding laboratory of the VGP, providing sequencing expertise and contributing to the Sanger 25 Genomes Project collaboration.
• G10K ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent consortium founded in April 2009, with 150+ members in 50+ institutions. VGP is an official project since February 2017.
• Earth BioGenome Project (EBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated project contributing genomes to VGP, aiming to sequence all eukaryotic life on Earth.
• European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean initiative to generate reference genomes representing European biodiversity, launched 2020-2021 with 600+ scientist signatories.
• Darwin Tree of LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based project to sequence all eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland, affiliated with VGP.
• Bird 10K (B10K)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject to generate genomes of 10,000 bird species, contributing to VGP avian genomes.
• Bat1KmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject to sequence genomes of all bat species, affiliated with VGP since 2018.
• Revive & RestoremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization with no embargo policy on sponsored genomes, contributing to VGP conservation efforts.
• Colossal BioSciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe-extinction and conservation company with no embargo policy on sponsored genomes.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure hosting the Genome Ark S3 bucket for VGP genome data storage and distribution.
• DNAnexuscoreTechnology or IntegrationInformatics and data management platform hosting VGP data coordination infrastructure.
• NIHmajorOthersNational Institutes of Health providing funding support for genomics research infrastructure.
• NSFmajorOthersNational Science Foundation providing funding support for genome sequencing and assembly algorithms.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanger 25 Genomes Project: Wellcome Sanger Institute initiative sequencing 25 UK species for biodiversity; coordinated with VGP and contributing through the same founding laboratory. Direct peer in both methodology and consortium structure.
• European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA): Pan-European consortium with 600+ scientist signatories generating reference genomes for European biodiversity. ERGA is a VGP affiliated project and operates with comparable quality standards and consortium structure.
• Earth BioGenome Project: The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence all eukaryotic life on Earth — a scope that overlaps directly with VGP's vertebrate mission. VGP is an affiliated contributing project to EBP, and Harris Lewin (VGP Council) chairs EBP, making them deeply intertwined peer consortia.
• Darwin Tree of Life: UK-led initiative to sequence all eukaryotic species in Britain and Ireland using VGP-aligned standards and pipelines. An official VGP affiliated project, it is a direct geographic/taxonomic peer with overlapping leadership (Sanger, Earlham Institute).

Broad incumbents

• Genome 10K (G10K): Parent consortium of VGP, founded in 2009 with the mission of sequencing 10,000+ vertebrate species. VGP is its flagship operational project; G10K is the broader governance and membership structure that VGP inherits.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Public genome archive and annotation infrastructure that hosts VGP's BioProject 489243. While not a peer in consortium science, NCBI is the foundational public-good data platform that VGP's distribution depends on and competes with as a publishing/visibility channel.

Emerging players

• Revive & Restore: Conservation nonprofit advancing genetic rescue and de-extinction; an official VGP partner with no-embargo policy on sponsored genomes (e.g., Kakapo). Functions as both a customer and a peer in conservation genomics methodology.
• Bird 10K (B10K): Project to generate genomes for all ~10,000 bird species; a VGP-affiliated taxonomic peer contributing avian reference genomes and following VGP quality standards.
• Bat1K: Project to sequence genomes of all ~1,400 bat species, affiliated with VGP since 2018. Focused taxonomic peer that feeds bat genomes into the VGP pipeline while maintaining its own species-list governance.
• Colossal BioSciences: De-extinction and conservation biotech company that uses VGP-generated reference genomes for projects like the woolly mammoth and thylacine. While a commercial entity rather than a consortium, it is a peer consumer of VGP data with a no-embargo partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/genomeark
• Facebookfacebook.com/Vertebrate-Genomes-Project-108521014217951
• Instagraminstagram.com/vertebrategenomesproject
• GitHubgithub.com/VGP

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vertebrate Genomes Project