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§ Private Profile · Berkeley, CA, USA
Wild Earth is a technology company.
Wild Earth develops sustainable, plant-based pet food products for dogs and cats, offering alternatives to traditional meat-based diets. The company leverages scientific research to formulate nutritionally complete foods and treats using clean protein sources like Koji, aiming for improved pet health and reduced environmental impact. Its offerings include dry kibble, wet food, and treats, all designed to be free from common allergens and animal byproducts.
The company was co-founded by Ryan Bethencourt, a scientist and entrepreneur, in 2017. Bethencourt’s insight stemmed from a desire to create pet food that aligns with ethical and environmental sustainability principles, while also providing superior nutrition through innovative ingredients. His background in biotechnology and passion for animal welfare informed the foundational approach to reinventing pet nutrition.
Wild Earth caters to pet owners seeking healthier, more sustainable, and cruelty-free options for their companion animals. The company envisions a future where pets thrive on clean, plant-powered nutrition, addressing concerns about animal agriculture's footprint and potential health issues associated with conventional pet foods. It remains committed to advancing pet health through science-backed, plant-based innovation.
Wild Earth has raised $35.2M across 4 funding rounds.
Wild Earth has raised $35.2M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Wild Earth is a biotechnology and technology company founded in 2017 in Berkeley, California, specializing in vegan, plant-based pet food and nutritional products for dogs and cats.[1][2][3] It develops clean, high-protein treats, kibble, and supplements using innovative ingredients like Koji fungi and cultured proteins, targeting pet owners seeking healthier, cruelty-free, allergen-friendly alternatives to traditional meat-based foods that reduce environmental impact.[1][2][3][4] The company serves direct-to-consumer (DTC) customers via its e-commerce platform and has raised over $50 million in funding, demonstrating strong growth momentum with expansions into new products, digital marketing, and a satellite operation in Durham, North Carolina.[2][3][6]
Wild Earth was co-founded in 2017 by Abril Estrada, Kristin Wuhrman, Ron Shigeta (Chief Science Officer, Ph.D., with expertise in cellular agriculture), and Ryan Bethencourt (CEO, applying "vegan biohacking" principles to pet nutrition).[1][2] The idea emerged from pioneers in cellular agriculture and sustainable food tech, aiming to reinvent pet food amid rising demand for humane, eco-friendly options—starting with Koji-based dog treats as a renewably sourced, high-protein alternative enjoyed by humans globally.[1] Early traction came quickly: In 2018, it secured $650,000 in seed funding led by Mogul, with investors like Founders Fund and Peter Thiel; this expanded in 2019 with $550,000 from Mark Cuban and an $11 million Series A led by VegInvest, featuring Mars Petcare and Felicis Ventures.[1][2] Later rounds included a $23 million Series A extension in 2021 and $10 million debt financing in 2022 from Espresso Capital, fueling product development and market penetration.[2][4]
Wild Earth rides the wave of cellular agriculture and alternative proteins, disrupting the $30 billion pet food market amid trends like plant-based diets, sustainability demands, and pet humanization—where owners prioritize health, ethics, and eco-friendliness.[1][2][3] Timing is ideal post-2017, with consumer shifts accelerated by climate awareness and vegan pet food demand; market forces like rising meat costs and regulations favor its low-impact model.[2][3] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering DTC pet tech, inspiring competitors in pet technologies (1,377 startups) and direct-to-consumer brands, while expanding U.S. manufacturing and biotech hubs like Durham.[3][5][6]
Wild Earth is positioned for expansion with its $50M+ funding, recent credit facilities, and product innovations like refreshed packaging and new lines slated for 2023 onward—focusing on customer acquisition via digital channels.[2][3][4] Trends like cultivated proteins (e.g., peers BlueNalu, Believer Meats) and premium pet nutrition will propel growth, potentially capturing more of the allergy-friendly, sustainable segment as pet ownership booms.[3] Its influence may evolve through scaling biotech R&D, retail partnerships (e.g., Mars), and global reach, solidifying its lead in humane pet tech from a seed-funded innovator to market disruptor.[1][2]
Wild Earth has raised $35.2M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Wild Earth's investors include At One Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Future Positive Capital, Lionheart Ventures, SOSV, Lori Greiner, Peter Bodenheimer, Mark Cuban, Paul Wesley, Bitburger Ventures, Gaingels, VegInvest.
Wild Earth has raised $35.2M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $23.0M Series A in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $23M Series A | — | AT ONE Ventures, BIG Idea Ventures, Future Positive Capital, Lionheart Ventures, SOSV, Lori Greiner, Peter Bodenheimer, Mark Cuban, Paul Wesley, Bitburger Ventures, Gaingels, Veginvest | Announced |
| May 22, 2019 | $11M Series A | AMY Trakinski | Bits X Bites, Felicis Ventures, Peter Thiel, Mars Petcare, P.o.v., Mark Cuban, Vectr Ventures | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2019 | $550K Seed | — | SOSV, Lori Greiner, Peter Bodenheimer | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2018 | $650K Seed | Founders Fund | Peter Thiel | Announced |