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Ultima Genomics funding, valuation and investors
High-throughput $100 genome sequencing platform using open-flow genomics.
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Funding, valuation & investors
Answer-first snapshotLatest funding
Not publicly disclosed
Latest known valuation
Not publicly disclosed
Total disclosed equity funding
Not publicly disclosed
Excludes debt, grants, acquisitions, secondaries, and IPO proceeds.
Current status
private
growth · Newark, California, USA
Overview
Ultima Genomics develops a high-throughput DNA sequencing platform using open-flow genomics architecture to drive down cost per genome toward $100-scale economics. Founded by scientists including Gil Rohatgi, the company emerged from stealth with significant venture backing including Andreessen Horowitz and Khosla Ventures participation. Ultima targets clinical, research, and population genomics customers needing ultra-low-cost sequencing at scale.
Why Ultima Genomics is interesting
Ultima bets sequencing cost keeps falling — a16z and Khosla backed open-flow chemistry aiming for $100 genomes to unlock population-scale genomics.
Product & use cases
Ultima's sequencer uses open-flow technology — fluidics and imaging innovations — to deliver high-quality whole-genome data at substantially lower cost than incumbent platforms.
- Population genomics and biobank sequencing at scale
- Clinical research requiring large cohort WGS
- Oncology and rare disease studies needing affordable deep sequencing
Key facts
- a16z and Khosla Ventures among backers
- Open-flow genomics platform targeting $100 genome economics
- Competes with Illumina on cost-per-base reduction thesis
Investors in our directory
Funds linked from Ultima Genomics's profile — open a fund page for stage focus and related deal articles.
Competitive landscape
Edge: Cost curve disruption thesis — if $100 genomes are real, new applications unlock beyond research elite.
Sequencing hardware is capital-intensive with long validation cycles. Ultima must prove accuracy, throughput, and install base against Illumina's ecosystem lock-in.
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Illumina incumbent
Dominant sequencing platform; NovaSeq X competition.
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Element Biosciences direct
Lower-cost sequencing challenger.
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PacBio / ONT adjacent
Long-read sequencing; different accuracy/cost tradeoffs.
Notable stories
- Ultima launched with bold $100 genome claims — sequencing cost wars continue to determine which genomics applications become routine versus research-only (company launch materials).
Industries
FAQs about Ultima Genomics
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