Karius
Karius is a clinical metagenomics company that uses microbial insights to diagnose infectious diseases, with $354M in funding and 214 employees. It raised a Series C round in May 2024.
The growth story
Karius grew from 139 to 214 employees between 2021 and 2026, raising $354M along the way, most recently a Series C in May 2024.
About
Karius develops diagnostic tools that analyze microbial DNA to identify infectious diseases, aiming to provide faster and clearer diagnoses for patients. Its technology targets healthcare providers and patients seeking accurate disease identification.
The company has raised $354M, including a Series C round in May 2024, and employs 214 people. Its funding and headcount position it as a significant player in the clinical metagenomics space.
Founders and leadership
Sales is the largest function at Karius, with 28 employees. The company’s leadership and structure reflect its focus on scaling diagnostic solutions in healthcare.
The Karius org chart
Alec Ford (Chief Executive Officer) leads 56 mapped leaders with 7 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Research 56 (+2% YoY), Sales 31 (0% YoY), Engineering 19 (+12% YoY), Business Development 17 (+6% YoY), Operations 17 (+21% YoY), Healthcare Services 15 (+7% YoY).
Talent flow
Karius hires heavily from companies like BioFire Diagnostics, Myriad Genetics, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Alumni often move to firms such as Roche, Natera, and Moderna.
Most common previous employers of Karius staff: BioFire Diagnostics (10), Myriad Genetics (9), Thermo Fisher Scientific (8), Stanford University (6), Guardant Health (6), Meridian Bioscience (5). Former Karius employees most often moved to Roche (6), Natera (4), Moderna (3), Delve Bio (3), Guardant Health (3), Twist Bioscience (3).
Alumni worth knowing
The Karius mafia
Karius alumni have founded seven companies, including Braveheart Bio, Aqtual, and Dinamo Biotechnologies, which collectively employ over 100 people.
7Travis Murdoch, MD, was Board Member until 2023Richard R., was Board Member and Advisor until 2018Mickey Kertesz, was President and Chief Product Officer until 2021Andrew Chang, was Staff Bioinformatics Scientist until 2023Paul Kortschak, was Vice President of Business Development- Infectious Disease until 2022
Gregory Wall, was Head of Core Data until 2018Web traffic
Traffic mix: 22% direct, 73% search, 0% social, 0% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Karius: Leadership (58), Microsoft Office (48), Biotechnology (42), Data Analysis (42), Healthcare (40), Communication (39), Management (38), Microsoft Excel (36).
Where the team actually sits
Karius people are concentrated in California, United States (63), San Francisco Bay Area (24), Florida, United States (8), Texas, United States (5).
Search footprint
Karius attracts about 1,639 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $0K a month if bought through ads. It gained 42 ranking keywords and lost 43 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 3.90 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 3.30 / 5
- Senior management
- 3.10 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 3.80 / 5
Frequently asked
Karius has 214 employees as of September 2026.
Karius has raised $354M in total, most recently a Series C round in May 2024.
Karius was founded in 2014 by Tim Blauwkamp.
Alec Ford (Chief Executive Officer) sits at the top of Karius's reporting structure, with 7 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Karius staff are BioFire Diagnostics (10 people), Myriad Genetics (9 people), Thermo Fisher Scientific (8 people).
Former Karius employees most often move to Roche (6), Natera (4), Moderna (3).
At least 7 companies have a founder who previously worked at Karius, including Braveheart Bio, Aqtual, Dinamo Biotechnologies.
Karius attracts about 1,639 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $0K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among Karius staff are Leadership, Microsoft Office, Biotechnology, Data Analysis, Healthcare.
Karius staff are concentrated in California, United States (63), San Francisco Bay Area (24), Florida, United States (8).
Karius has about 56 people in Research, up 2% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Karius has about 31 people in Sales, up 0% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 167 current and 221 former Karius profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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