Holobiome Secures $9M in Seed Funding

Biotechnology company Holobiome has raised an impressive $9 million in an oversubscribed seed round, with leading contributions from iSelect Fund and support from Corundum Systems Biology, Satori Neuro, SkyRiver Ventures, Pace Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, and Astanor.

This funding marks a pivotal moment for Holobiome, a company aiming to unravel the mysteries of the human gut microbiome—because who knew our gut could be the key to solving so many health issues?

Holobiome's unique Microbiome Vault—an ambitious collection of human gut bacteria—is at the heart of its innovation. By screening these bacteria, the company seeks to understand how our microbiome affects health, particularly the gut-brain connection.

The lead project?

A cutting-edge probiotic with potential to tackle depression. And that’s not all—Holobiome is also working with major consumer, food, and pharmaceutical partners to explore solutions for stress, pain, and more. It's like they've made our gut a scientific celebrity.

CEO and co-founder Dr. Philip Strandwitz, who’s estimated to have a net worth north of $20 million, has spearheaded this gut-focused movement, drawing attention to how lifestyle and medical interventions have disrupted our microbiome.

His vision?

To create a future where you can handpick your ideal gut microbiome, much like ordering a custom smoothie—except this one could fix more than just your energy levels.

He said:

"Over the past two decades, we have come to appreciate that our microbiome – the trillions of microbes that live on and in us, most of which reside in the gut – is essential for many aspects of our well-being. This is obvious in hindsight, as this complex and beautiful microbial ecosystem has evolved alongside humans for millennia, enabling each of us to become a superorganism, a Holobiont."

The newly secured funds will propel Holobiome’s depression program into human trials and help expand its platform. Dr. Joan LaRovere from Boston Children's Hospital will join Holobiome’s board, alongside AstraZeneca’s Dr. Iain Chessell, in guiding the company forward.

With such ambitious goals, Holobiome might just be the future of health—one gut microbe at a time.