Founder Story: Jason Kelly of Ginkgo Bioworks

Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks. From MIT labs to a multibillion-dollar company, Kelly's journey epitomizes the audacious vision of programming biology like we program computers. His relentless pursuit of making biology easier to engineer has not only revolutionized the biotech industry but also positioned Ginkgo Bioworks at the forefront of solving global challenges through synthetic biology.

From MIT Labs to Biotech Revolution

Jason Kelly's path to becoming a biotech pioneer began in the halls of MIT, where he earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Biology, followed by a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering. It was during his time at MIT that Kelly's fascination with the potential of synthetic biology took root.

In 2008, along with four fellow MIT scientists, Kelly co-founded Ginkgo Bioworks. The company's mission was ambitious yet clear: to make biology easier to engineer. Kelly and his co-founders envisioned a future where cells could be programmed like computers, opening up endless possibilities for creating sustainable solutions across industries.

"We want to make it as easy to grow a cell phone as it is to grow a plant," Kelly once remarked, encapsulating the audacious vision behind Ginkgo Bioworks.

The early days were challenging. Operating out of a small lab with salvaged equipment from MIT, the team worked tirelessly to prove their concept. Kelly's leadership was crucial during this period, as he balanced the scientific rigor required for breakthrough innovations with the business acumen needed to attract investors and clients.

Disrupting the Status Quo

Ginkgo Bioworks' approach to synthetic biology was revolutionary. Instead of focusing on a single product, Kelly and his team built a platform – a "foundry" for engineering organisms. This horizontal approach allowed Ginkgo to work across various industries, from fragrance and flavor to agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

In 2014, Ginkgo became the first biotech company to join Y Combinator, a pivotal moment that Kelly credits with helping refine their business model and pitch to investors. This experience shaped Kelly's approach to explaining complex scientific concepts in accessible terms, a skill that would prove invaluable as Ginkgo grew.

"Biology is the most advanced manufacturing technology on the planet. We're just learning how to program it," Kelly often says, simplifying the complex world of synthetic biology for broader audiences.

Building in the Face of Opposition

The road to success was not without skeptics. Many in the traditional biotech industry doubted the viability of Ginkgo's platform model. Kelly faced criticism that the company was more hype than substance, particularly as Ginkgo pursued ambitious projects like resurrecting the scent of extinct flowers.

Undeterred, Kelly doubled down on Ginkgo's vision. He focused on building a robust infrastructure for organism engineering, investing heavily in automation and machine learning. This forward-thinking approach paid off as Ginkgo's capabilities grew exponentially, allowing them to take on increasingly complex projects.

In 2015, Ginkgo secured a $45 million investment from Viking Global, a significant validation of Kelly's vision. This funding allowed the company to expand its foundry and take on more ambitious projects, further cementing its position as a leader in synthetic biology.

Pivotal Partnerships

Kelly's strategy of forming strategic partnerships proved crucial to Ginkgo's growth. In 2016, Ginkgo announced a $100 million partnership with Bayer to develop beneficial microbes for plants, marking their entry into the agriculture sector. This deal showcased Kelly's ability to identify synergies across industries and leverage Ginkgo's platform for diverse applications.

Another defining moment came in 2018 when Ginkgo acquired Gen9, a leading synthetic DNA company. This acquisition, spearheaded by Kelly, significantly enhanced Ginkgo's capabilities in DNA synthesis, a critical component of their organism engineering process.

"Our goal is to make biology easier to engineer. Acquiring Gen9 was a natural step in that direction," Kelly explained at the time, highlighting his strategic approach to company growth.

The Fundraising Journey

Under Kelly's leadership, Ginkgo's fundraising journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From initial grants and Y Combinator funding to major venture capital rounds, Kelly has consistently articulated a compelling vision for the company's future.

In 2019, Ginkgo raised $290 million in September, followed by an additional $350 million in October, valuing the company at $4.2 billion. This massive influx of capital was a testament to Kelly's ability to inspire confidence in investors and articulate the long-term potential of synthetic biology.

The pinnacle of this journey came in 2021 when Kelly led Ginkgo to go public through a SPAC merger, valuing the company at $17.5 billion. This move not only provided Ginkgo with significant capital but also increased public awareness of synthetic biology's potential.

Innovation Philosophy

Kelly's approach to innovation at Ginkgo is deeply rooted in his belief in the power of biology and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. He has fostered a culture where biologists work alongside software engineers and automation experts, creating a unique blend of skills that drives Ginkgo's innovations.

"We're not just a biotech company. We're a tech company that happens to work with biology," Kelly often emphasizes, highlighting the unique position Ginkgo occupies at the intersection of biology and technology.

This philosophy extends to Ginkgo's approach to product development. Rather than focusing on a single product, Kelly has steered the company towards building a versatile platform that can be applied across industries. This strategy has allowed Ginkgo to pivot quickly in response to global needs, as demonstrated by their rapid entry into COVID-19 testing and vaccine development in 2020.

Industry Impact

Under Kelly's leadership, Ginkgo Bioworks has significantly impacted the synthetic biology industry:

Democratizing Bioengineering: By offering their platform as a service, Ginkgo has made advanced bioengineering capabilities accessible to companies of all sizes, not just big pharma.
Accelerating Innovation: Ginkgo's automated foundries have dramatically reduced the time and cost of organism engineering, speeding up the development of new bio-based products.
Cross-Industry Applications: Kelly's vision has expanded the application of synthetic biology beyond traditional biotech into areas like agriculture, consumer goods, and materials science.
Sustainability Focus: Many of Ginkgo's projects aim to create more sustainable alternatives to existing products, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Crisis Management

Kelly's leadership was put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the potential of Ginkgo's platform to contribute to the global response, he quickly pivoted part of the company's resources towards developing COVID-19 testing capabilities and supporting vaccine development efforts.

This rapid response not only showcased Ginkgo's agility but also highlighted Kelly's ability to navigate crises and identify opportunities for the company to make meaningful contributions to global challenges.

Legacy and Future Vision

As Ginkgo Bioworks continues to grow, Jason Kelly's legacy in the field of synthetic biology is already substantial. He has played a pivotal role in bringing the concept of engineering biology from academic labs to real-world applications, potentially impacting everything from the food we eat to the medicines we take.

Looking to the future, Kelly remains focused on expanding Ginkgo's capabilities and applications. He envisions a world where bio-based solutions are the norm rather than the exception, with Ginkgo's technology playing a central role in addressing global challenges from climate change to food security.

"We're still in the early days of the bio revolution," Kelly often says, "The potential of synthetic biology to transform our world is just beginning to be realized."

Closing Thoughts

Jason Kelly's journey from MIT researcher to biotech pioneer exemplifies the transformative power of visionary leadership in emerging technologies. His ability to translate complex scientific concepts into a compelling business model has not only built a multibillion-dollar company but has also accelerated the entire field of synthetic biology.

Kelly's story is a testament to the impact that can be achieved when scientific innovation is coupled with entrepreneurial drive. As synthetic biology continues to evolve, Kelly's influence will likely be felt for decades to come, shaping how we interact with and harness the power of biology.

In Kelly's own words, "Biology is the most powerful technology on the planet. Our job is to make it easier to engineer, and in doing so, to solve some of the world's biggest problems." This philosophy, more than anything, encapsulates the essence of Jason Kelly's contribution to science, business, and potentially, the future of our planet.