# Justin Kolbeck

> Justin Kolbeck is Co-Founder and CEO of Wildtype, the San Francisco-based cultivated seafood company that became the first to receive FDA regulatory clearance for cell-grown salmon in the United States. A former U.S. Foreign Service Officer who served in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Kolbeck channeled his firsthand experience with global food insecurity into co-founding Wildtype in 2016 alongside cardiologist and microbiologist Aryé Elfenbein. The company has raised over $123 million in funding - including a record $100 million Series B backed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, and Robert Downey Jr. - and launched its sushi-grade coho salmon at award-winning restaurants in 2025. Wildtype's salmon, grown in stainless steel bioreactors in a converted San Francisco brewery, was named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at Wildtype
- **Organizations:** Wildtype, U.S. Department of State, Strategy&
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.A. in Political Science / International Relations, University of California, Berkeley, MBA in Economics, Yale School of Management
- **Known for:** Co-founded Wildtype - the first company to receive FDA regulatory clearance for cell-cultivated salmon in the United States (May 2025), Raised over $123 million in total funding including a record $100 million Series B for cultivated seafood, Opened the world's first cultivated seafood pilot plant in San Francisco

## Career timeline

- **2007-2008** — U.S. Foreign Service Officer - Political/Consular Officer in Peshawar, Pakistan
- **2008-2011** — U.S. Foreign Service Officer - assignments including Economic/Political Officer in Melbourne, Australia and Civilian Team Leader in Paktika Province, Afghanistan
- **2011-2013** — MBA at Yale School of Management
- **2013-2016** — Engagement Manager at Strategy& (formerly Booz & Company) - consulting on new market development and international growth
- **2016** — Co-founded Wildtype with Aryé Elfenbein, beginning weekend R&D sessions while both held day jobs
- **2018** — Wildtype raised $3.5 million seed funding
- **2021** — Opened world's first cultivated seafood pilot plant in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood (former Magnolia Brewery)
- **2022** — Wildtype raised $100 million Series B - largest ever for cell-cultivated seafood - led by L Catterton with investors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, and Robert Downey Jr.
- **2025-05** — Wildtype received FDA 'no questions' letter - first cultivated seafood company to receive U.S. regulatory clearance
- **2025-05** — Wildtype salmon launched at Kann restaurant in Portland, Oregon (James Beard award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet)
- **2025** — Wildtype Salmon Saku named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025

## Achievements

- Co-founded Wildtype - the first company to receive FDA regulatory clearance for cell-cultivated salmon in the United States (May 2025)
- Raised over $123 million in total funding including a record $100 million Series B for cultivated seafood
- Opened the world's first cultivated seafood pilot plant in San Francisco
- Landed celebrity and institutional investors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos (Bezos Expeditions), and Robert Downey Jr. (FootPrint Coalition)
- Named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2025 for Wildtype Salmon Saku
- As a Foreign Service Officer, served as Civilian Team Leader in Afghanistan managing a $100M food security development budget alongside military leadership
- Launched Wildtype salmon at Kann (Portland, OR) with James Beard award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — Wildtype received FDA 'no questions' letter - the first cultivated seafood company to achieve U.S. regulatory clearance
- **2025-05** — Wildtype salmon launched at Kann restaurant in Portland, Oregon, with James Beard award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet
- **2025** — Wildtype Salmon Saku named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2025
- **2025** — Wildtype expanding to restaurants in San Francisco, Seattle, and Aspen; partnerships with Snowfox (1,230 grocery locations) and Pokéworks (60+ locations)

## Links

- Website: https://wildtypefoods.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-kolbeck/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/wildtypefoods
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkolbeck42/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildtypefoods

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/justin-kolbeck
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-21