Wild Bioscience

Oxford, United Kingdom AgTech Private

Wild Bioscience is an Oxford University spin-out applying AI to decode hundreds of millions of years of wild plant evolution and translate those genetic innovations into commercial crop varieties via precision breeding. The platform identifies high-value traits — particularly around photosynthetic efficiency, yield, and climate resilience — from wild plant genomes and uses them to guide development of elite varieties of staple row crops such as wheat and maize. The company was spun out of the University of Oxford in 2021 by Dr Ross Hendron (CEO) and Prof Steven Kelly (CSO), with field-trial programs reported across four countries and early results citing >20% improvements in growth and seed production.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2021

Employees

25–50

Total Funding

$76M

2 rounds

Funding

Total raised $76M across 2 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Series A

Date

October 2025

Amount

$60M

Valuation

Lead Investors

Ellison Institute of Technology
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
October 2025 Series A $60M Ellison Institute of Technology
2021 Seed $16M Oxford Science Enterprises

Leadership

  • Ross Hendron

    Co-Founder & CEO

    LinkedIn
  • Steven Kelly

    Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer

  • Samuel Gattis

    Chief Technology Officer

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Inari Agriculture

    US AI-driven plant breeding and multiplex gene-editing platform developing higher-yield, lower-input soy, corn and wheat varieties.

  • Pairwise

    US CRISPR-based crop gene-editing company developing new fruit, vegetable and row-crop varieties (now partnered with Bayer on row crops).

  • Tropic Biosciences

    UK gene-editing agtech focused on tropical crops such as banana, coffee and rice using its GEiGS platform.

  • Avalo

    US AI-driven 'whole genome' crop breeding company using interpretable machine learning to accelerate development of climate-resilient varieties.

  • Phytoform Labs

    UK AI and CRISPR crop-design platform partnered with Corteva to develop new climate-resilient row crop and specialty crop varieties.

  • Cibus

    Nasdaq-listed precision plant-breeding company developing gene-edited trait products in canola, rice, soy and wheat.

Wild Bioscience Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Wild Bioscience is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Wild Bioscience shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Wild Bioscience will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Wild Bioscience shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Wild Bioscience shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

Valuation and funding

Wild Bioscience's latest disclosed funding round was a Series A round in October 2025. The round raised approximately $60M, with Ellison Institute of Technology listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Wild Bioscience has raised approximately $76M in disclosed funding across 2 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Wild Bioscience's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Wild Bioscience's disclosed investors include Ellison Institute of Technology and Oxford Science Enterprises. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Wild Bioscience's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Wild Bioscience's most-cited competitors include Inari Agriculture, Pairwise, Tropic Biosciences, Avalo, Phytoform Labs and Cibus. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Wild Bioscience shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Wild Bioscience employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Wild Bioscience secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Wild Bioscience through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Wild Bioscience or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Wild Bioscience shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Wild Bioscience shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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Data collected with AI, which can make mistakes. Please double-check this information.