Wild Bioscience, an Oxford University spinout combining AI and precision breeding to develop high-yield, climate-resilient crops, has raised €51 million in Series A funding to scale its R&D and commercial operations — turning early field breakthroughs into market-ready seed varieties.
The round was led by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), with participation from Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), Braavos Capital, and Oxford University.
Scaling Evolutionary Science for Global Agriculture
Founded in 2021, Wild Bioscience transforms insights from evolutionary biology into advanced crop genetics. By combining machine learning, gene editing, and data from millions of years of plant evolution, the company identifies traits from wild species to improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability in modern crops.
“Advancing agriculture has limitless potential to help people and the planet,” said Dr. Ross Hendron, Co-founder and CEO of Wild Bioscience. “To achieve meaningful, scalable impact, we need investors who share that vision. I’m deeply grateful to EIT and our partners for their belief in what we’ve built — and for joining us as we enter this next phase of growth.”
With field trials underway across four countries, Wild Bioscience aims to bring its AI-guided, evolution-based breeding platform to global agricultural markets, enabling farmers to produce more food with fewer resources while adapting to changing climates.
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One of Europe’s Largest AgriTech Rounds in 2025
Wild Bioscience’s €51M Series A ranks among the largest early-stage AgriTech financings in Europe this year.
While many 2025 AgriTech rounds — typically between €2M–€10M — have centered on robotics or data tools, Wild Bioscience’s focus on crop genetics and breeding stands out.
Comparable recent European AgTech raises include:
- Ecorobotix (Switzerland): €90M Series D for precision spraying
- Messium (UK): €3.8M for nitrogen management
- CroBio (UK): €805K for microbial soil innovation
This Series A marks the first joint investment by OSE and EIT, signaling strong institutional confidence in Wild Bioscience’s scientific and commercial potential.
Backing from Global Scientific and Technology Leaders
“Combining the groundbreaking research at EIT and Wild will create a powerful synergy that could reshape sustainable agriculture on a global scale,” said Professor Steve Kelly, Co-founder and CSO of Wild Bioscience, and Head of the Plant Biology Institute at EIT. “Together, we will accelerate our ability to bring new technologies to market and deliver solutions that enhance crop resilience, boost yields, and promote environmental sustainability.”
Larry Ellison, CTO and Chairman of Oracle and Founder of the Ellison Institute of Technology, added:
“Wild Bio is using AI to decode millions of years of plant evolution. By combining those insights with precision breeding, the company is developing new crop varieties that are both higher yielding and more climate-resilient. EIT is proud to support their mission to scale these breakthroughs and strengthen global food security.”
From Oxford Lab to Global Fields
Wild Bioscience was founded by Dr. Ross Hendron and Prof. Steve Kelly at the University of Oxford, where early research laid the foundation for its AI-driven crop development platform. Today, the company employs 30 specialists and leads crop projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Ed Bussey, CEO of Oxford Science Enterprises, commented:
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Ellison Institute of Technology as co-investors in Wild Bioscience. This partnership highlights Oxford’s role in driving global impact through deep science ventures. EIT’s investment underscores Wild’s scientific leadership and accelerates its mission to build a more sustainable food system.”
About Wild Bioscience
Wild Bioscience is an Oxford University spinout developing climate-smart, high-yield crops using evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, and precision breeding. Its mission is to increase food production, reduce environmental impact, and create a resilient agricultural future for a changing planet.
