ZBiotics
YC W18San Francisco, US · Founded 2016 · Delaware corporation · 22 employees · 13 known investors
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Z Biotic develops genetically engineered probiotics designed to improve daily health and wellbeing. The company uses biotechnology to create targeted probiotic products for consumers.
Also known as Z Biotics · ZBiotics Company
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W18)
ZBiotics was founded in 2016 by Stephen Lamb and Zack Abbott.
Investors · 13
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$28.1M disclosed across 2 rounds · 2020–2024
▶$22.4MraisedApr 2024 · 68 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Zachary Donald AbbottExecutive Officer, Director
- Adam RamadaDirector
- Stephen LambExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $22.4M
- Amount sold
- $22.4M
- First sale
- Mar 2024
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$5.7MraisedMar 2020 · 38 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
- Stephen LambExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $5.7M
- Amount sold
- $5.7M
- First sale
- Mar 2020
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2016
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026ZBiotics develops and sells consumer probiotic products built on genetically engineered bacteria. Its stated positioning is as the maker of the world's first genetically engineered probiotic, using the naturally occurring probiotic bacterium Bacillus subtilis as a chassis and inserting genes so the bacteria produce specific enzymes in the gut.
The company's lineup includes two products. Pre-Alcohol is a drink taken before or while consuming alcohol, engineered to express ALDH (acetaldehyde dehydrogenase) in order to break down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol. Sugar-to-Fiber is engineered to produce the enzyme levansucrase, which the company says makes fiber from dietary sugar; the company frames this against the claim that most people do not reach the 25-30 grams of daily fiber intake it cites. ZBiotics also publishes consumer- and research-oriented content under a "Lab Notes" section covering topics such as product mechanisms and exercise after drinking alcohol.
Business model
Direct-to-consumer sales of packaged probiotic drink products through the company's own online store (including cart/checkout and a subscriber mailing list with subscriber-exclusive deals), supplemented by physical retail distribution.
Product sales of consumer probiotic drinks via e-commerce and retail channels.
Latest developments
The company has introduced Sugar-to-Fiber, described as a newly launched GMO probiotic, expanding its lineup beyond the Pre-Alcohol product.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Positions itself as the first company to commercialize genetically engineered (GMO) probiotics for consumer use, with a mission framed around expanding consumer access to biotechnology and shifting public conversation about GMOs.
Use of genetically engineered probiotic bacteria that produce specific functional enzymes in the gut, rather than conventional unmodified probiotic strains.
Technology
The products use Bacillus subtilis, a probiotic bacterium the company describes as already commonly consumed, modified by inserting genetic instructions into the bacterial genome using a process the company describes as naturally honed by bacteria. Engineered strains express targeted enzymes: ALDH to break down acetaldehyde in the Pre-Alcohol product, and levansucrase to generate fiber from dietary sugar in the Sugar-to-Fiber product.
Go-to-market
Online direct-to-consumer sales from zbiotics.com with an email marketing list, alongside availability of Pre-Alcohol in select retail locations nationwide, supported by a store locator and customer testimonials and press mentions on the site.
General adult consumers, including people who drink alcohol (for Pre-Alcohol) and consumers seeking increased dietary fiber intake (for Sugar-to-Fiber).
Geography
Sells online and through select retail locations nationwide in the United States; site references a California privacy notice.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Founder mafia
3 people who came through ZBiotics went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors · 2
by search overlap
Companies competing with ZBiotics for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsZBiotics announced Sugar-to-Fiber, a genetically engineered probiotic that produces the enzyme levansucrase to make fiber from dietary sugar, described on the company's site as the world's newest GMO probiotic.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureIn the news
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- ZBioticszbiotics.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does ZBiotics do?
- ZBiotics makes genetically engineered Bacillus subtilis probiotic drinks, including a product designed to break down acetaldehyde.
- Who founded ZBiotics?
- ZBiotics was founded by Stephen Lamb, Zack Abbott in 2016.
- Who are ZBiotics's investors?
- ZBiotics's investors include Able Partners, Babel Ventures, Champion Hill Ventures, Fundamental Ventures, Goat Rodeo Capital, Hyperguap, Innovation Global Capital, Ocampo Capital and 5 more.
- How much funding has ZBiotics raised?
- ZBiotics has disclosed $28.1M raised across 2 rounds.
- Where is ZBiotics headquartered?
- ZBiotics is headquartered in San Francisco, US.