Ag Tech Investment News
Oxford Spinout Wild Bioscience Raises $60M Series A to Advance Global Crop Resilience
Oxford, United Kingdom – October 16, 2025 – Wild Bioscience, a spinout from the University of Oxford, has raised $60 million (£45 million) in a landmark Series A round led by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) with participation from Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), Braavos Capital, and the University of Oxford.
Wild Bioscience applies artificial intelligence to decode the genetic secrets of wild plants—insights refined through millions of years of evolution—and applies them to modern crops to improve yield, resilience, and climate adaptability. Its proprietary data-driven platform identifies key genetic traits from wild species and guides precision breeding for commercial seed development.
Dr. Ross Hendron, Co-Founder and CEO of Wild Bioscience, said:
“Advancing agriculture has limitless potential to help people and the planet. We’re grateful to the Ellison Institute and Oxford Science Enterprises for sharing our vision to accelerate climate-resilient farming at global scale.”
Professor Steve Kelly, Co-Founder and CSO of Wild Bioscience and Head of the Plant Biology Institute at EIT, added:
“By combining EIT’s technological strength with Wild’s genetic insights, we aim to reshape sustainable agriculture through the next generation of climate-smart crops.”
Larry Ellison, CTO and Chairman of Oracle and Founder of EIT, stated:
“Wild Bio is using AI to uncover evolution’s best lessons and translate them into crops that secure food production for the planet. Together, we’re engineering agriculture for resilience and sustainability.”
The Series A marks the first joint investment between EIT and OSE, signaling a milestone in Oxford’s innovation ecosystem. The funds will help Wild Bioscience expand its R&D, extend international field trials, and move toward commercial release of its first crop varieties.
About Wild Bioscience:
Wild Bioscience is an Oxford spinout using AI and evolutionary biology to build resilient, high-yielding crops that support food security and climate adaptation.
About Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT):
EIT unites scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs to deliver sustainable solutions for global challenges like climate change, food security, and healthcare innovation.
About Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE):
OSE partners with Oxford University researchers to transform scientific breakthroughs into high-impact ventures. It has launched over 50 companies tackling global sustainability and technology challenges.
Source: Hawthorn Advisors Press Release | October 16, 2025