Synthetic biology (合成生物学) venture investment rebounded in Q4 2024 and for the full year 2024, with startups securing $4.3 billion in funding in Q4, a $2.6 billion increase from the previous quarter and a $2.6 billion increase from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date, synthetic biology startups raised $12.2 billion in 2024, compared to $10.7 billion in 2023, reflecting a $1.5 billion change. The rise in investment is attributed to both capital entering existing firms and a new cohort of companies entering the field. Average transaction amounts in 2024 were higher than the trend of the last five years, primarily due to a reduction in deal count.
The United States leads in synthetic biology venture capital, though other countries' share of VC is increasing. The SynBio Stack segments investment into Automation (Software and Hardware), R&D Services, Supply Chain, and Industry Applications. Industry Applications remain the segment receiving the most funding, with $8.9 billion raised in 2024 compared to $8.9 billion in 2023.
Automation - Software: Q4 2024 funding was $58.8 million, a decrease of $90.7 million from the previous quarter and $722.3 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $498.4 million, compared to $1.2 billion in 2023.
Automation - Hardware: Q4 2024 funding was $77.9 million, an increase of $64.4 million from the previous quarter but a decrease of $341.2 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $108.4 million, compared to $449.5 million in 2023.
Research and Development Services: Q4 2024 funding was $218.0 million, a decrease of $131.4 million from the previous quarter but an increase of $56.5 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $3.0 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in 2023.
Supply Chain: Investment in the supply chain includes companies providing services such as contract manufacturing, DNA synthesis, and genetic tools. Specific data on funding trends within this segment was not provided in the excerpt.
Organism Engineering Platforms: Q4 2024 funding was $37.6 million, a decrease of $47.4 million from the previous quarter and $70.1 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $329.6 million, compared to $558.1 million in 2023.
Industry Applications: Q4 2024 funding was $4.0 billion, an increase of $2.6 billion from the previous quarter but a decrease of $2.5 billion from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $8.9 billion, compared to $8.9 billion in 2023.
Agriculture: Q4 2024 funding was $46.6 million, a decrease of $88.2 million from the previous quarter and $123.4 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $328.1 million, compared to $242.9 million in 2023.
Healthcare and BioPharma: Q4 2024 funding was $751.5 million, a decrease of $212.7 million from the previous quarter and $344.6 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $4.9 billion, compared to $6.4 billion in 2023.
Chemicals and Materials: Q4 2024 funding was $1.7 billion, a significant increase of $1.6 billion from the previous quarter and $1.6 billion from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $1.8 billion, a notable increase from $1.3 billion in 2023.
Food and Nutrition: Q4 2024 funding was $22.7 million, a decrease of $149.9 million from the previous quarter and $54.3 million from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $451.0 million, compared to $798.6 million in 2023.
Energy and Environment: Q4 2024 funding was $1.5 billion, a significant increase of $1.4 billion from the previous quarter and $1.1 billion from the same quarter in 2023. Year-to-date funding was $1.5 billion, compared to $659.3 million in 2023.
