The present technology pertains to methods and microbial co-cultures for converting lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to novel consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) methods by which the efficiency of the production of biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals from cellulosic biomass-containing materials can be increased. In particular, the present disclosure provides numerous microbiological co-cultures for increasing the efficiency of ethanol and/or lactic acid production from biomass.