Major Funding for Agricultural Innovation
Wild Bioscience, the Oxford University spinout co-founded by Irish academic Prof Steve Kelly, has reportedly raised $60 million in a Series A funding round led by the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT). According to reports, the substantial investment will accelerate the company’s mission to develop improved crop varieties using genetics research and precision breeding technologies to address global sustainability challenges in agriculture.
Data-Driven Approach to Crop Improvement
Sources indicate that Wild Bio specializes in deciphering hundreds of millions of years of plant evolution to identify promising genetic improvements from wild species. The company’s platform reportedly uses these evolutionary innovations to guide precision breeding strategies for modern elite crop varieties. Analysts suggest this data-driven approach could significantly enhance crop productivity, climate resilience, and agricultural sustainability.
Oxford Origins and Global Expansion
The report states that Wild Bio originated from research conducted at the University of Oxford, where founders Dr Ross Hendron and Irish professor Steve Kelly developed the technology before spinning out the company in 2021. Currently, the company maintains a team of 30 at its Oxford headquarters and has established field trials across four countries, representing significant global infrastructure development in agricultural technology.
Leadership Vision for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr Ross Hendron, Co-founder and CEO of Wild Bio, emphasized the company’s ambitious goals, stating that “advancing agriculture has limitless potential to help people and the planet.” According to the executive, achieving meaningful, scalable impact requires investors who are truly aligned with this vision. The funding round included participation from existing investors Oxford Science Enterprises, Braavos Capital, and the University of Oxford, reflecting confidence in the company’s technology platform and growth strategy.
Synergistic Partnership with EIT
Prof Steve Kelly, who serves as both Wild Bio’s chief science officer and head of the Plant Biology Institute at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, highlighted the powerful synergy between the two organizations. He suggested that combining EIT’s research capabilities with Wild Bio’s technological platform could “reshape sustainable agriculture on a global scale,” accelerating the development of innovative solutions that enhance crop resilience and boost yields while promoting environmental sustainability.
Commitment to Global Food Security
Larry Ellison, founder of EIT and chairman of Oracle, welcomed the investment, noting that the ultimate goal is to grow these new crop varieties on a commercial scale to help provide food security worldwide. This initiative aligns with broader environmental and industrial trends focused on sustainable development. The funding represents a significant vote of confidence in Wild Bio’s approach to addressing critical challenges in global agriculture through strategic technological innovation.
Broader Industry Implications
The substantial investment in Wild Bio comes amid increasing focus on agricultural technology and sustainable food production methods. Industry observers note that such funding rounds signal growing investor confidence in technology-driven solutions to global challenges. The participation of prominent Irish and international academics in founding and leading the company underscores the global nature of agricultural innovation and the importance of cross-border collaboration in developing sustainable solutions for future food security.
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