Unlocking the utility of genomics for the world.
Volta Labs is a genomics applications company that has developed a cutting-edge digital fluidics platform to maximize performance and scalability of sample preparation in genomics while providing unparalleled consistency. Volta is transforming the way biological research and analyses are performed, allowing scientists to focus on what they do best -- pushing the boundaries of biology. As a collective of scientists and builders working at the intersection of engineering and biology, we imagine a world where extracting vital information from biological samples is as simple as pressing a button. That's our vision, and we're turning it into reality. Our HQ is in Boston’s Seaport, where we develop and manufacture our technology. We believe in cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning – whether your interest is in biology, MechEng, CompEng, or simply joining a fast-growing startup striving to make the world a better place, we'd love to welcome you to our team. Check out some of our blog posts to learn more about work life at Volta.
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Active Founders
Udayan Umapathi
As the founder and CEO of Volta Labs, Inc., I have over five years of experience in creating and scaling a company that is transforming the field of sequencing sample prep. With a background in entrepreneurship, engineering, design and biology, I have a unique perspective and skill set that enables me to bridge the gap between different disciplines and domains. At Volta Labs, we are building a disruptive product that streamlines the entire process of preparing samples for any sequencing technol
Company Launches
tl;dr - Volta Labs introduces Callisto, a groundbreaking genomics sample preparation system. With its push-button simplicity, Callisto transforms sample prep unlike anything else in the past 15 years, offering a revolutionary and hands-free experience. Checkout the product here.
Volta Labs is a group of antidisciplinary scientists and builders working at the intersection of engineering and biology. With the release of Callisto, we brought to life a sequencer agnostic platform that spans from the raw biological sample to sequenceable molecules. We have done this by reinventing the full stack — hardware, software, chemistry, and biology. At Volta, we’re not just shaping the future of genomics, we are engineering it.
🤔 The Problem
Genomic sequencing has made remarkable strides since its inception in 1990, with continuous advancements in both sequencing and data analysis over the past three decades. However, the process of preparing samples for sequencing has seen limited innovation during this time. Despite the tremendous progress in sequencing technologies, the sample preparation phase remains a bottleneck, often taking multiple days and requiring skilled lab technicians and expensive instruments.
✅ The Solution - The CallistoTM Sample Prep System
At Volta, we aim to reduce time and complexity with the introduction of our flagship product, Callisto – a benchtop instrument with many pre-optimized applications that reduces operational requirements and costs in the laboratory and clinic that were previously cost-prohibitive. This innovation addresses the longstanding challenges that have hindered efficiency and accessibility in genomics, making it a game-changer for the industry.
✨ Benefits
Callisto is set to revolutionize laboratories, seamlessly combining efficient nucleic acid extraction with push-button library creation. Explore some of the many advantages that Callisto introduces to the field of genomics sequencing:
- Can be operated without specialized training and takes minutes to set up
- Sequencer agnostic
- All-in-one, benchtop solution that allows users to press start and walk away
- Speeds up and simplifies both short- and long-read sequencing preparations
- Out of the box, pre-optimized applications
🤝 Our Ask
- Connect us with companies and individuals in life sciences and beyond. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or send me an email directly
- Volta is growing fast and looking for talented engineers as we ramp up production - software, mechanical and electrical. Our immediate need is for a Software Engineering Lead, Electrical Lead and a Head of Manufacturing. Apply here or send me an email directly if you want to refer a friend.
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Hear from the founders
How did your company get started? (i.e., How did the founders meet? How did you come up with the idea? How did you decide to be a founder?)
In 2018, Volta Labs was born in the halls of MIT with a clear mission: to unlock the utility of genomics for the world.\Previously nestled in the vibrant hub of Kendall Square, known as "the most innovative square mile on the planet," we quickly became immersed in the dynamic biotech culture. After numerous conversations with other scientists and hours of research, we discovered that trailblazing biologists were being held back by the constraints of existing automation tools, particularly in the realm of DNA sequencing. While DNA readout technologies surged ahead, the upstream steps of sample preparation (sample prep) lagged behind.\During Founder Udayan Umapathi’s graduate stint at the MIT Media Lab, what began as a humble printed circuit board to manipulate colorful droplets soon evolved into a solutionfor the notorious "sample prep bottleneck." Propelled into action, we secured funding from top-tier VCs and got to work.
What's the history of your company from getting started until the present day? What were the big inflection points?
Since the company was funded coming our YC in Winter 2019, our focus has been laser-sharp in the lab, where we've been busy inventing and constructing groundbreaking fluidic and sample manipulation technologies. We embrace an anti-disciplinary approach, tackling the toughest challenges by seamlessly integrating instrumentation, fluidics, software, biology, and chemistry. While we're currently channelling our energies into sequencing sample prep, our grand vision extends beyond – envisioning a future where a single universal machine automates the lion's share of biological workflows in genomics, proteomics, and synthetic biology.\At Volta, we're not just shaping the future of genomics; we're engineering it. Join us in harnessing the power of biology and technology to change the world.
What is the core problem you are solving? Why is this a big problem? What made you decide to work on it?
We are in the midst of a genomic revolution. From 1999 to 2000, the Human Genome Project generated the first “draft” human genome, which cost ~$300 million across 20 labs worldwide. It took another three years, and hundreds of millions of dollars, to produce a human genome that was ~90% complete, as complete as the technologies for sequencing DNA allowed at the time. In 2023, a scientist can sequence a genome at a bench for hundreds of dollars in a day. The adoption of sequencing technologies across new applications only continues to accelerate as it becomes easier, faster, and cheaper. \Despite these advancements, preparing samples for sequencing remains a significant bottleneck. We believe that disruptive innovations are needed in sample prep to unlock the true utility of genomics. With the new reality of the $200 genome (sequencing cost alone), sample prep is becoming a more significant burden on labs than ever before.
Selected answers from Volta Labs, Inc.'s original YC application for the W19 Batch
Describe what your company does in 50 characters or less.
We build Integrated circuits for biology workflows
What is your company going to make? Please describe your product and what it does or will do.
A high throughput automation system for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) sample preparation using digital microfluidic chip technology.