Wilderlab
Wilderlab is a Wellington-based, ISO 17025-accredited eDNA laboratory offering user-friendly sampling kits and metabarcoding analysis services for biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring. It serves government agencies, regional councils, environmental consultants, researchers, community groups, and schools across New Zealand, Australia, and select international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersMiramar, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wilderlab does
Wilderlab NZ Ltd is a Wellington-based eDNA laboratory founded in 2019 by Shaun Wilkinson, Ph.D., operating through its New Zealand parent and an Australian subsidiary (Wilderlab Australia Pty Ltd, Sydney). The company designs user-friendly environmental DNA sampling kits — including syringe filtration kits, passive samplers, swab kits, specimen/scat/soil kits, lizard detection tunnels, and drill pumps — combined with ISO 17025-accredited laboratory metabarcoding analysis services that identify species across the tree of life from small water, soil, or biological samples.
Its core technology stack pairs purpose-built sampling hardware (encapsulated filters, on-site preservation that eliminates cold-chain shipping) with comprehensive reference databases and bioinformatic software tailored for Aotearoa's and Australia's unique biota. A proprietary differentiator is the Taxon-Independent Community Index (TICI), a machine learning-based whole-ecosystem health score for NZ riverine samples, validated against the NZ Macroinvertebrate Community Index at adj R2 = 0.856 across 848 samples from 53 rivers.
Wilderlab operates a hybrid go-to-market: a self-serve website order portal and sample submission system serve SMB/community customers and individual researchers, while a dedicated sales channel ([email protected]) handles enterprise and government engagements such as the DPIRD NSW Estuary Asset Protection programme (1,000+ samples) and the EPA NZ-coordinated Wai Tūwhera o te Taiao nationwide programme (200+ community groups). Revenue is transaction-based, generated from per-sample kit sales (NZD $178 Basic panel to NZD $298 Comprehensive panels) plus laboratory analysis services with an 8 working-day average turnaround. Customer segments include government agencies and regional councils (primary), environmental consultants, community groups and iwi/hapū, educational institutions, and Australian state agencies.
Wilderlab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wilderlab
- Legal name
- Wilderlab NZ Ltd
- Website
- https://wilderlab.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wilderlab is a Wellington-based, ISO 17025-accredited eDNA laboratory offering user-friendly sampling kits and metabarcoding analysis services for biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring. It serves government agencies, regional councils, environmental consultants, researchers, community groups, and schools across New Zealand, Australia, and select international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wilderlab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental DNA Testing Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps) (EUAHAHAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE), Watershed/Source Water & Raw Water Quality Monitoring (intakes, reservoirs, groundwater) (EUANAJAH), Sampling Programs & Field Services (grab/composite sampling, chain-of-custody, logistics) (EUANAJAD), Microbiology & Pathogen Monitoring (Legionella, Coliform, HABs) (EUAHACAI)
Keywords
Where Wilderlab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miramar
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Wilderlab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- eDNA laboratory analysis services: Wilderlab processes eDNA samples collected using its kits in its Wellington laboratory and provides metabarcoding analysis results (eDNA Reports). Pricing is per sample, with Basic and Comprehensive panel options. Results turnaround averages 8 working days. Revenue is transaction-based per sample processed.
- eDNA sampling kit sales: Wilderlab sells eDNA sampling kits (syringe kits, passive samplers, soil/scat/specimen kits, swab kits, lizard kits) directly to customers. Kits are single-use consumables. Orders placed via the website order portal (shinyapps.io).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Panel - vertebrate detection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Comprehensive Freshwater Panel (NZ/Australia) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Comprehensive Marine Panel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Comprehensive Soil/Specimen/Diet Panel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-extracted DNA template analysis |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Wilderlab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wilderlab develops and sells user-friendly environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling kits and provides ISO 17025 accredited laboratory metabarcoding analysis services. Customers collect eDNA from water, soil, swabs, or specimens in the field using Wilderlab's kits, ship the preserved samples to the Wellington laboratory at room temperature, and receive species detection results covering fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria across freshwater, marine, and soil environments. The Comprehensive Freshwater Panel includes Wilderlab's proprietary Taxon-Independent Community Index (TICI) for riverine ecological health scoring.
Product overview
Wilderlab is an award-winning, ISO17025 accredited eDNA service provider offering a comprehensive environmental DNA monitoring platform. The core offering consists of portable eDNA sampling kits (syringe samplers, passive samplers, specimen/scats/swab kits, and lizard detection kits) combined with laboratory metabarcoding analysis services. Analysis services include Basic Vertebrate Panel and Comprehensive Panels (Freshwater, Marine, Soil/Specimen/Diet), with the comprehensive freshwater panel including the proprietary TICI (Taxon-Independent Community Index) for ecological health assessment. Supporting software includes the Shiny Wheel App for biodiversity visualization, an Interactive eDNA Map for data exploration, and an Online Sample Submission Portal. The company operates from Wellington, New Zealand with expansion into Sydney, Australia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- eDNA Sampling Kits
- Basic Vertebrate Panel
- Comprehensive Freshwater Panel
- Comprehensive Marine Panel
- Comprehensive Soil, Specimen, Diet/Scat Panel
- Pre-extracted DNA Template Analysis
- Interactive eDNA Map (Explore)
- Shiny Wheel App (Biodiversity Wheel of Life)
Quantifiable outcome
- 17,989 species identified in 2024, up 70% from the previous year
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Wilderlab
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Wilderlab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Wilderlab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Environmental Protection Authority NZ (EPA)coreWilderlab partnered with the EPA NZ for the nationwide Wai Tūwhera o te Taiao - Open Waters Aotearoa eDNA programme. Wilderlab provides water sampling kits and analysis services, while the EPA coordinates over 200 community groups, hapū and kura across the country. Kits are distributed via regional councils and NZ Landcare Trust advisors. Results are posted on a national eDNA map. In 2024, EPA and Wilderlab jointly funded $100K worth of eDNA kits and testing services for 10 community restoration projects.
- MPI Animal Health Laboratory (NZ)coreWilderlab works closely with the MPI Animal Health Laboratory to provide secondary confirmation (via qPCR analysis) for any positive Corbicula fluminea eDNA detections outside of known incursion zones. This ensures 100% confidence before notifying customers, regional authorities, and MPI of detections, given that some native molluscs have not been sequenced.
- DPIRD NSW (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development)coreDPIRD NSW is running the Estuary Asset Protection (NEAP) programme, collecting over 1,000 estuarine eDNA samples along Australia's East Coast, funded by State & Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding. Wilderlab processes all samples and the programme is led by Dr Maarten De Brauwer. Data is made publicly available on Wilderlab's map.
- Dr Joey DiBattista / Professor Colin Wen (Tunghai University) / Dr Chris Goatley (University of Southampton)minorMarine eDNA research collaboration in Taiwan using Wilderlab's marine assay panel. Dr DiBattista conducted eDNA sampling in Taiwanese coral reefs, working with Professor Colin Wen (Tunghai University) and Dr Chris Goatley (University of Southampton). Results were published publicly and showed stunning cryptic biodiversity of Taiwanese coral reefs.
- Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory (Western Australia)minorFounder Shaun Wilkinson made several trips to the world-class Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory during his postdoctoral research, contributing to his expertise in eDNA methodology development.
- Victoria University of Wellington - Marine Symbiosis and Coral Reef Biology GroupminorWilderlab's founder Shaun Wilkinson completed his PhD and Postdoc with Prof. Simon Davy's research group at Victoria University of Wellington, which has been a foundational research relationship for the company's scientific expertise.
- Lincoln University, Lincoln High School, Selwyn District Council, Enviroschools (Environment Canterbury)minorMulti-institutional collaboration for restoration monitoring at Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon in Canterbury, New Zealand. Students use Wilderlab eDNA kits to assess the impact of restoration work on local biodiversity as part of a science education programme.
- Kids Restore the Kepler ProgrammeminorFiordland College students used Wilderlab eDNA kits as part of the Kids Restore the Kepler programme to discover Gollum galaxias and other species in the Ewe Burn, Southland.
- New Zealand Regional CouncilscoreNZ regional councils participated in the large eDNA validation trial (Summer 2020/2021) across 53 rivers and streams, and continue to use Wilderlab's services for routine biomonitoring. They also act as coordinators for the EPA's Wai Tūwhera o te Taiao community programme.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wilderlab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NatureMetrics: UK-based eDNA biomonitoring services company offering sampling kits and metabarcoding analysis across terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Direct competitor to Wilderlab in the eDNA service category with global reach.
- eDNAtec: Canadian eDNA laboratory providing metabarcoding services and sampling kits for environmental monitoring, biosecurity and biodiversity assessment. Comparable scale and service offering to Wilderlab.
- EnviroDNA: Australia-based eDNA service provider offering sampling kits and metabarcoding analysis for freshwater and marine monitoring. The most direct geographic competitor to Wilderlab in Australia.
- SPYGEN: French pioneer in environmental DNA services providing metabarcoding and species detection for biodiversity monitoring. Operates globally and is one of the longest-established commercial eDNA laboratories.
Broad incumbents
- NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research): New Zealand government-owned environmental research institute performing freshwater and marine monitoring including eDNA. A broad incumbent in NZ environmental science that overlaps with Wilderlab's customer base.
- Eurofins Environment Testing: International laboratory services group providing environmental, food and pharmaceutical testing. Broad incumbent offering biodiversity and water quality testing at scale that overlaps with Wilderlab's service category.
- ALS Global: Global environmental testing services company offering water, soil and biological sample analysis. A broad incumbent that competes for environmental testing contracts where Wilderlab also sells into.
Emerging players
- Jonah Ventures: US-based eDNA service provider focused on environmental metabarcoding for biodiversity and water quality monitoring. Comparable services but with narrower geographic focus than Wilderlab's ANZ presence.
- Sinsoma GmbH: Austrian eDNA service company offering metabarcoding-based biodiversity monitoring. Comparable niche service provider with European geographic focus.
Regional players
- Cawthron Institute: New Zealand-based aquatic science research institute performing eDNA and environmental monitoring work. Regional research peer with overlapping technical capabilities and customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wilderlab social profiles
Digital presenceWilderlab compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Wilderlab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wilderlab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Wilderlab subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Wilderlab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wilderlab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wilderlab
What does Wilderlab do?
Wilderlab develops and sells user-friendly environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling kits and provides ISO 17025 accredited laboratory metabarcoding analysis services. Customers collect eDNA from water, soil, swabs, or specimens in the field using Wilderlab's kits, ship the preserved samples to the Wellington laboratory at room temperature, and receive species detection results covering fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria across freshwater, marine, and soil environments. The Comprehensive Freshwater Panel includes Wilderlab's proprietary Taxon-Independent Community Index (TICI) for riverine ecological health scoring.
Is Wilderlab a public or private company?
Wilderlab is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Wilderlab founded?
Wilderlab was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wilderlab based?
Wilderlab is headquartered in Miramar, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Wilderlab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. eDNA laboratory analysis services are the primary driver. The others are eDNA sampling kit sales.
Who are Wilderlab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NatureMetrics, eDNAtec, EnviroDNA and SPYGEN. Broad incumbents are NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research), Eurofins Environment Testing and ALS Global. Emerging players are Jonah Ventures and Sinsoma GmbH. Cawthron Institute is listed as a regional player.
Does Wilderlab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wilderlab.
What industry is Wilderlab in?
Wilderlab's product category is Environmental DNA Testing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAHAM, Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps), with a secondary code of EUAHAHAE, Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs. Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8731.