Commercializing Science for Climate Solutions—with George Church & Ben Lamm of Colossal

In academia, most scientists publish their ideas and stop there. But if we want our breakthroughs to benefit society, we have to take it a step further.  So, what does it look like to commercialize scientific research? What mindset do academics need to work at the intersection of science and industry? Ben Lamm has a career of building successful deep tech businesses, and George Church has a career of commercializing academic science.  Together, they are the cofounders of Colossal, a breakthrough bioscience and genetic engineering company that is pioneering animal de-extinction technology to restore lost ecosystems for a healthier planet.  On this episode of Boost VC, Ben and George join us to explain how bringing back the woolly mammoth addresses climate change and explore their approach to the ethical concerns around de-extinction. They discuss the benefits of Colossal technology beyond Arctic rewilding, describing how their work helps endangered animals and promotes conservation. Listen in for Ben and George’s insight on commercializing science and learn how to get comfortable enough with risk to turn academic ideas into industry. Topics Covered How George defines sciencePredict and create new options for humanityGoal to build better world Why Ben & George are bringing back the woolly mammothRestore previous ratio of grass to treesSequester carbon at rate only possible in Arctic How Ben & George approach the ethical concerns re: de-extinctionBelieve in radical transparencyLearn from negative feedback, people who question Why George works at the intersection of academia and industryLikes to work with curious young peopleExposure to diversity of ideas Why Colossal needs government collaboration and supportSeveral governments, Indigenous groups in ArcticClimate change, biodiversity and species preservation How woolly mammoths promote carbon removalKnock down trees so more grass can growCold, Arctic grasslands sequester carbon particularly well The benefits of Colossal technology beyond Arctic rewildingEradicate EHV virus in elephantsPromote species conservation How Ben & George think about commercializing scienceGo beyond publication to help societyFeedback from investors and academia What makes Ben & George’s partnership workGeorge’s lab provides idea from academic studyBen figures out product-market fit and funding George’s advice to academics on commercializing productsCan’t be afraid of failureCan come back from bankruptcy How Ben & George think about taking big risksBen believed grandmother saying he could do anythingAcademic failures taught George he would survive The impact Ben & George hope to make with ColossalEx utero development, species preservationThousands of Arctic elephants to sequester carbonAdvancements in reading and writing of genomes How Ben & George define successBenefit society, facilitate survival of speciesCreate things that are additive Connect with George Church & Ben Lamm Colossal https://colossal.comColossal on Twitter https://twitter.com/ItIsColossalColossal on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itiscolossal/Colossal o