The Two Frontiers Project
The Two Frontiers Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization that explores extremophile microbes in volcanic, marine, and space-adjacent environments to develop biological solutions for carbon capture, coral reef restoration, and sustainable agriculture, serving academic, industry, and citizen science partners globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersFort Collins, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Two Frontiers Project does
The Two Frontiers Project (2FP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization founded in 2022 and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, that explores microbial life in extreme environments on Earth and in space to address climate change, coral reef decline, and sustainable agriculture. The organization runs four research initiatives: the Carbon Initiative, which samples volcanic seeps in Sicily and carbonated springs in Colorado for CO2-capturing microorganisms; the Coral Initiative, which develops probiotic microbial tools for reef restoration; the Crops Initiative, NASA-funded research into plant-microbe relationships that enable growth in extreme environments including lunar regolith; and the newly launched Methane Initiative, which studies methane-consuming microbes in marine sediments and mud volcanoes. Underlying technology centers on field-based genomics using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencers for in-situ DNA sequencing, custom-designed modular field sampling kits, standardized low-cost culturing and preservation protocols, and the 2FP Living Database — a cryopreserved biobank of thousands of environmental samples paired with open-access sequencing data following FAIR principles. Notable discoveries include the Chonkus cyanobacteria strain, which produces 22% more biomass than other fastest-growing strains and was recognized by Fast Company as a 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards Finalist.
The organization operates a hybrid nonprofit business model that combines individual donations (with suggested tiers from $8 to $15,000), foundation grants (notably the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment), institutional funding (NASA for the Crops initiative), a flagship research partnership with Seed Health that includes scientific board oversight from George Church, brand partnerships with mission-driven companies, merchandise sales through the 2FP Shop, and a growing citizen science program that distributes sampling kits to participants. Customer and partner segments include academic research institutions (Harvard Medical School, Weill Cornell, Colorado State University, University of Florida, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Palermo, Wyss Institute), industry collaborators (Seed Health, Seed Labs, CitSci, Coral Morphologic), and distributed individual donors and citizen scientists across the US, Italy, and Japan with planned expansion to Romania and Azerbaijan.
The Two Frontiers Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Two Frontiers Project
- Legal name
- The Two Frontiers Project
- Website
- https://twofrontiers.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Two Frontiers Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization that explores extremophile microbes in volcanic, marine, and space-adjacent environments to develop biological solutions for carbon capture, coral reef restoration, and sustainable agriculture, serving academic, industry, and citizen science partners globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Two Frontiers Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microbial Research Services
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (EUABABAE), Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC)
Keywords
Where The Two Frontiers Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Collins
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The Two Frontiers Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Can be directed to specific initiatives (Carbon, Coral, Crops, Education) or general fund. Also includes larger donations and equipment donations.
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce store selling branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts $32, sweatshirts $40, hoodies $37-$45), accessories (hats $25-$35, tote bags $30, beanies $20), and office supplies (mugs $15, mouse pads $16, stickers $4).
- Foundation and Grant Funding: Research supported by organizations including The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment (Resilient Soils Project), NASA (Crops initiative for space agriculture), and Seed Health (carbon capture research).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Sampling Expedition Sponsorship |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Single Sample Sequencing |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Species Characterization |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Sample Collection Kit |
| Other | Monthly | Monthly Lab Supplies |
| Other | Monthly | Monthly Data Storage |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Two Frontiers Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Two Frontiers Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research initiative that conducts expeditions to extreme environments (volcanic seeps, carbonated springs, methane seeps, coral reefs, stressed soils) to discover and characterize microorganisms for climate, ecosystem, and agricultural solutions. Its core deliverables are four research initiatives — Carbon, Coral, Crops, and Methane — underpinned by the Living Database of cryopreserved samples paired with genomic data, custom field sampling kits, and a global citizen science and academic collaborator network.
Product overview
The Two Frontiers Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research initiative organized around three primary research initiatives—Carbon, Coral, and Crops—plus a newer Methane initiative. The Carbon Initiative explores volcanic seeps and carbonated springs to discover CO2-consuming microorganisms for carbon capture technologies. The Coral Initiative develops tools for protecting reef ecosystems through microbial communities. The Crops Initiative (NASA-funded) studies plant-microbe relationships in extreme environments for agricultural applications. Supporting these initiatives is the Living Database—a biobank of cryopreserved samples paired with DNA sequencing data accessible to researchers. Additional offerings include Field Kits and Protocols for remote sampling, Sampling Support Services for expeditions, Citizen Science Programs like the Extremophile Campaign, and the 2FP Shop for branded merchandise. Recent additions include Project ReefLink for coral microbiome research and the Resilient Soils Project focused on PFAS remediation. The organization bridges academic research and industry application, emphasizing open-access data sharing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Carbon Initiative Research initiative exploring extreme carbon-rich environments on Earth (volcanic seeps, carbonated springs) to discover microorganisms with natural mechanisms for CO2 processing, with the aim of enabling next-generation biological carbon capture technologies. Targeted at research institutions, environmental organizations, and companies seeking biological carbon sequestration solutions.
- Coral Initiative Research initiative developing scientific tools to protect coral reefs through sequencing, culturing, and deploying microbial communities to enhance coral restoration and reef resilience to disease and heat-stress. Targeted at coral restoration groups, aquariums, and marine conservation organizations.
- Crops Initiative NASA-funded research initiative seeking microorganisms that help plants grow in stressful, desertified environments, aiming to enable crop growth in lunar regolith and adapt agriculture to climate change. Targeted at NASA, agricultural researchers, and sustainability programs.
- Methane Initiative Research initiative exploring microbial life in methane-rich environments (hot springs, mud volcanoes, seeps) to uncover how microbes shape carbon cycles and identify biological functions with potential climate and biotechnology applications. Targeted at climate biotech and environmental research audiences.
- 2FP Living Database A biobank combining thousands of cryopreserved environmental samples, microbial consortia, and isolates paired with DNA sequencing data, enabling scientists worldwide to access and study extremophile microorganisms. Targeted at academic researchers and biotech laboratories.
- Resilient Soils Project Community science initiative exploring microbial life in chemically and environmentally stressed soils across the United States, with a focus on discovering biology capable of transforming or degrading PFAS contaminants. Targeted at soil researchers, environmental foundations, and citizen science volunteers.
- Project ReefLink Community science project empowering aquarists and aquariums to collect coral and water samples, contributing to a coral microbiome dataset for improved reef care and conservation. Targeted at aquarists, public aquariums, and marine conservation organizations.
- 2FP Shop E-commerce store selling branded merchandise (Under Armour apparel, accessories, drinkware, stickers) to support The Two Frontiers Project's microbial discovery work. Targeted at mission-driven consumers and supporters.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22% more biomass generation than other fastest cyanobacteria strains
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Two Frontiers Project
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Two Frontiers Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Two Frontiers Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Seed HealthcoreFlagship research collaboration focused on discovering extreme microbes for carbon sequestration and climate solutions. Seed Health provides funding and scientific board oversight including George Church. Joint research has produced discoveries like the Chonkus cyanobacteria strain.
- University of PalermocoreLocal research collaboration for CARBON1 expedition to Vulcano island. Provided expertise on volcanic seeps and marine microbiology. Research team included Marco Milazzo's Meclab-Unipa lab.
- Harvard Medical SchoolcoreKey research partner providing laboratory facilities and scientific expertise. Dr. George Church serves on Seed Health Scientific Board. Max Schubert and other Harvard researchers participate in culturing and genomic analysis.
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegecoreResearch partner hosting Dr. Braden Tierney's laboratory. Provides genomic sequencing capabilities and computational biology expertise. Jeremy Wain Hirschberg works in Dr. Christopher Mason's lab.
- Colorado State UniversitycoreResearch partner with Dr. James R. Henriksen holding position in Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Hosts undergraduate researchers including Camille Angeles.
- University of FloridacoreNASA-funded research collaboration for the Crops initiative focused on growing plants in lunar regolith using extremophile microbes.
- University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreDr. Ted Chavkin conducts postdoctoral research in Dr. Brian Pfleger's lab focusing on cyanobacteria metabolic engineering for the project.
- CitScicoreCitizen science partnership for the Extremophile Campaign enabling public participation in microbial sample collection from homes and natural environments.
- Coral MorphologicminorCollaborator on Project ReefLink with Colin Foord providing coral expertise and aquarium industry connections.
- Wyss InstitutecoreMax Schubert works as scientist at the Wyss Institute working with George Church on extremophile research.
- MetaSUB ConsortiumminorInternational consortium focused on urban and environmental microbiomes. Krista Ryon served in leadership from 2018-2025. 2FP presented at the 8th Annual MetaSUB International Consortium Conference in Tokyo.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Two Frontiers Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Two Frontiers Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Two Frontiers Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Two Frontiers Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Two Frontiers Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Two Frontiers Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Two Frontiers Project
What does The Two Frontiers Project do?
The Two Frontiers Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research initiative that conducts expeditions to extreme environments (volcanic seeps, carbonated springs, methane seeps, coral reefs, stressed soils) to discover and characterize microorganisms for climate, ecosystem, and agricultural solutions. Its core deliverables are four research initiatives — Carbon, Coral, Crops, and Methane — underpinned by the Living Database of cryopreserved samples paired with genomic data, custom field sampling kits, and a global citizen science and academic collaborator network.
Is The Two Frontiers Project a public or private company?
The Two Frontiers Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Two Frontiers Project founded?
The Two Frontiers Project was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Two Frontiers Project based?
The Two Frontiers Project is headquartered in Fort Collins, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Two Frontiers Project make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and foundation and Grant Funding.
Does The Two Frontiers Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Two Frontiers Project.
What industry is The Two Frontiers Project in?
The Two Frontiers Project's product category is Microbial Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADABAI, Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs, with a secondary code of EUABABAE, Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.