Catalog is a Boston startup founded in 2016 by MIT scientists, including CEO Hyunjun Park, building a synthetic DNA-powered data storage and computing platform. Its proprietary data-encoding scheme minimizes de novo DNA synthesis to enable practical DNA-based information storage and computation. Catalog’s custom DNA writer, Shannon, is designed to write over 10MB/sec and can store up to 1.63TB of compressed data in a single run. The platform enables data management, computation, and automation, and Catalog plans to invest in computation functions over the next two to three years. The company expects to commercialize the platform around 2025 and will continue supporting collaborators and partners in the DNA ecosystem. Catalog is a member of the DNA Storage Alliance, works with about a dozen co-development partners in the U.S. and Europe, and recently opened an office in Seoul for Asia expansion. Expected applications include fraud detection, image processing for defect discovery in manufacturing, and digital signal processing such as seismic processing. Catalog develops a DNA-based platform for large-scale digital data storage and computation. Its core product is a custom-developed DNA writer and storage system called Shannon that writes at over 10 Mb/sec, generates over a trillion identifiers in a single run, and can store up to 1.63 Tb of compressed data per run. The company converts binary data into combinations of pre-synthesized DNA molecules using technology similar to inkjet printers, developed in collaboration with Cambridge Consultants. Catalog says its approach can hold a million times more data in the same volume as magnetic and solid-state media. Founded in 2016 by MIT scientists and led by CEO and co-founder Hyunjun Park and newly appointed CTO Dave Turek, the company plans to use new funding for early product trials and continued research and development. Catalog has raised $21M to date, including the $10M Series A announced in this round. Catalog is developing commercially viable DNA data storage technology and is based in Boston, MA, operating out of the Harvard Life Lab. The company’s first-generation commercial product will provide an online interface through which customers submit data; Catalog will write that data into DNA using the company’s machine. Once written into DNA, the material can be stored by Catalog or at the customer’s own facility (for example in a commercial refrigerator). Catalog is focusing its initial commercial pilots on organizations in government (including intelligence and space), IT, entertainment, and other sectors. Founders include MIT scientists Hyunjun Park (CEO) and Nathaniel Roquet, and Devin Leake serves as Chief Science Officer. While developing the technology the team consulted with Eric Shaqfeh (Stanford) and David Weitz (Harvard). The company has raised $9M in funding.

Total raised

$54M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Sep 2021