Colin South

Dr. Colin South is a biotechnology executive with over 20 years of leadership experience advancing high-impact technologies across the agricultural, energy, and climate sectors. He currently serves as CEO of ArkeaBio, a venture-backed climate tech startup pioneering a vaccine-based solution to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminant livestock—a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Under his leadership, ArkeaBio is developing scalable immunization technologies tailored to grazing systems, aligning climate impact with agricultural practicality.

A native of New Zealand with deep roots in farming and agri-business, Dr. South began his career in the New Zealand dairy industry including a stint with Fonterra before founding and leading multiple biotech ventures in the U.S. He was the Founding President of Mascoma Corporation, where he drove the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol using advanced biotechnology. He later served as CEO of Novogy and Lignol, where he spearheaded the development of biochemicals designed to replace petrochemicals in industrial applications.

Throughout his career, Dr. South has combined technical innovation with business strategy and capital formation, building teams and partnerships that accelerate climate-focused innovation. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Bioprocess Engineering and Engineering Management from Dartmouth College, and a B.E. (Chem & Process) from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

With ArkeaBio, Dr. South has come full circle—channeling decades of bioprocessing and commercialization expertise into a mission-driven platform aimed at transforming livestock agriculture for a more sustainable planet.