Startup Taps DNA for AI-Era Data Storage
Atlas Data Storage and nanoelectronics research hub imec are partnering to scale DNA-based data storage technology. The collaboration aims to create a permanent, high-density storage solution to handle the massive datasets being generated in the age of AI.
The collaboration between Atlas and imec centers on a custom-designed CMOS chip that integrates a dense, nanoscale array of electrochemical synthesis sites. This allows for the simultaneous creation of millions of unique DNA strands on a 300mm silicon platform, a method designed to dramatically increase the throughput of writing data into DNA. Atlas Data Storage was spun out of Twist Bioscience in May 2025 with a hefty $155 million in seed funding from investors including ARCH Venture Partners and Bezos Expeditions. The company is led by CEO Varun Mehta, who previously co-founded Nimble Storage, and founder Bill Banyai, who also co-founded Twist Bioscience and now serves as Atlas's CTO. The primary challenge for DNA storage remains cost and speed. While an LTO-9 magnetic tape cartridge offers storage at roughly $5-7 per terabyte with native transfer speeds of 400 MB/s, DNA synthesis costs have been estimated to be thousands of dollars per gigabyte. Write speeds are also a bottleneck, with breakthroughs reaching megabytes per second, a fraction of what tape can achieve. Despite the current costs, the value proposition lies in extreme density and longevity. One gram of DNA can theoretically hold up to 215 petabytes, and the data can remain stable for thousands of years without the need for periodic migration required by magnetic tapes, which degrade in 10-30 years. This makes it ideal for "cold storage" of archival data, such as preserving AI models and cultural heritage. Imec's role extends beyond just manufacturing expertise. The Belgium-based research hub is also a direct investor in Atlas, a move that aligns with its strategy of providing deep-tech ventures with R&D, fabrication capabilities, and access to its broader ecosystem of partners and venture capital. The push for new storage mediums is fueled by the explosive growth of data, largely driven by AI. Every minute, an estimated 280 petabytes of new data are created, from 700,000 ChatGPT prompts to 2,300 TB of security footage. This deluge of data is straining traditional storage infrastructure.
