Agri Biotech

Oxford, United Kingdom — Wild Bioscience, an Oxford University spinout pioneering AI-enabled crop genetics, has raised a landmark $60 million (£45 million) Series A funding round to accelerate the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding crops. The round was led by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), with participation from existing investors Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), Braavos Capital, and the University of Oxford.

This investment represents a major step forward for the global agri-biotech sector and marks the first joint venture investment between EIT and OSE, signalling strong institutional confidence in Wild Bioscience’s scientific advantage and commercialization potential.

AI + Evolutionary Biology: A New Model for Crop Resilience
Wild Bioscience has developed a unique platform that decodes genetic insights from hardy wild plant species — traits shaped over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Using AI and machine learning, the company identifies beneficial characteristics that enhance yield, climate resilience, water-use efficiency, and stress tolerance.

These evolutionary insights are then applied to precision breeding programs, enabling the development of elite crop varieties engineered for modern agricultural challenges including drought, extreme heat, and emerging climate shocks.

Scaling Field Trials and Commercial Deployment
Founded in 2021 by Dr Ross Hendron and Prof. Steve Kelly, Wild Bioscience has rapidly expanded to a 30-member team. The company’s leading crop programs are already in field trials across four countries, validating real-world performance in both yield and resilience.

With the Series A investment, the company plans to expand R&D, strengthen its AI-genomics infrastructure, and transition its early field successes into market-ready seed varieties for global farmers.

Leadership Insights
Dr Ross Hendron, Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Bioscience:
“Advancing agriculture has limitless potential to help people and the planet. To achieve meaningful and scalable impact, we need investors aligned with that vision. I’m grateful to EIT and our current investors for supporting what we’ve built and where we’re headed.”

Prof. Steve Kelly, Co-Founder, CSO & Head of the Plant Biology Institute at EIT:
“By uniting Wild’s platform with EIT’s research strengths, we can reshape sustainable agriculture at a global scale. This partnership accelerates our capacity to deliver technologies that boost yields, enhance crop resilience, and support long-term environmental sustainability.”

Larry Ellison, CTO & Chairman of Oracle; Founder, Ellison Institute of Technology:
“Wild Bio is using AI to understand evolutionary lessons encoded in plant genomes. Combined with precision breeding, this enables the development of higher-yielding, climate-resilient crop varieties. EIT is committed to helping Wild Bio bring these breakthroughs to commercial scale and support global food security.”

A Milestone for Oxford’s Innovation Ecosystem
The investment is a pivotal moment for the broader Oxford scientific ecosystem. It highlights the effectiveness of the university’s venture model and reflects global investor confidence in the UK’s plant science leadership.

Ed Bussey, CEO of Oxford Science Enterprises:
“We’re thrilled to partner with EIT for the first time as co-investors in Wild Bioscience. The company exemplifies how Oxford’s scientific innovation can evolve into world-class businesses. This investment will accelerate Wild’s mission to enhance crop resilience and build a more sustainable food system.”

About Wild Bioscience
Wild Bioscience is an Oxford University spinout translating evolutionary biology into resilient crops. By uniting plant evolution, machine learning, and precision gene editing, the company develops climate-smart, high-yielding crop varieties that support food security and planetary health.
www.wildbioscience.com

About the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT)
EIT brings together leading scientists, technologists, policymakers, economists, and entrepreneurs to solve global challenges through innovation in health, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate solutions, and AI-driven technologies. Its new Oxford campus, opening in 2027, will serve as a global hub for translating scientific discovery into large-scale commercial solutions.

About Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE)
OSE partners with the University of Oxford to transform scientific research into global businesses. With over 50 companies created and more than £3 billion invested alongside 300+ co-investors, OSE is one of Europe’s most successful deep-tech venture builders.
www.oxfordscienceenterprises.com