# Raising Capital for Long-Term Horizon Startups: The Moonshot Approach
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In the world of capital raising, advice is often focused on getting your statistics together, developing a compelling pitch deck, and networking tirelessly. While these tactics work for most companies, what if you’re raising money for a long-term, high-risk venture, like bringing extinct species back to life? That calls for a unique approach and a different kind of investor.
## Colossal Biosciences: A Unique Venture
Colossal Biosciences, the brainchild of Ben Lamm and renowned geneticist George Church, is the world’s first de-extinction company. Their mission is to bring back woolly mammoths and dodo birds using advanced genetic technology with potential applications in healthcare, national security, and data analysis techniques. As a result, the company has already spun off an AI-based computational biology platform called Form Bio, with more spin-offs expected in the future as Colossal sharpens its technology.
## The Mammoth Fundraising Journey
Colossal raised an impressive $225 million over three funding rounds, a figure that reflects the magnitude of their scientific proposition. However, securing investment for such an ambitious and groundbreaking project was no easy feat. It required a different approach to standard capital raising due to the complex and long-term nature of their endeavor.
## Finding Patient Investors for a Long-Term Time Horizon
Colossal turned to “patient investors” who were willing to support slow-growing, pioneering ventures. Notable backers included Thomas Tull, Jim Breyer, Tim Draper, and Tom Chi, individuals known for their foundational investments in moving industries forward.
## World Problems, Colossal Long-Term Solutions
The technology developed by Colossal has attracted interest from a wide range of organizations, including In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s investment arm. The company’s synthetic biology solutions have implications for global issues such as disease control, pollution reduction, and environmental conservation, making it an attractive prospect for various governments and entities around the world.
## Conserve and Protect as Part of Long-Term Thinking
Despite concerns that investment in de-extinction might divert funds from conservation efforts, Colossal is committed to building a portfolio of conservation partnerships to support related causes. In fact, their technologies have the potential to contribute to conservation efforts by addressing issues holistically and sustainably.
## Moonshot Thinking as a Founder
Reflecting on his experience, Ben Lamm encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue meaningful, high-impact endeavors fearlessly. While the journey might be challenging, the fulfillment that comes from transformative and powerful work makes it all worthwhile.
Ultimately, Colossal’s work represents a shift towards “moonshot” thinking in the world of startups, paving the way for groundbreaking solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
*Article based on “How I Raised It” podcast with Ben Lamm, hosted by Nathan Beckord.*
