Wild Yeast Zoo
Wild Yeast Zoo is an Australian biotechnology research center that catalogs native wild yeast and bacteria through a citizen science platform, collecting samples via distributed probe kits and collaborating with breweries and academic partners to commercialize strains for sustainable food, beverage, agriculture, and manufacturing applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersNewcastle, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Wild Yeast Zoo does
Wild Yeast Zoo is a biotechnology research center founded in 2022 in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, that discovers, catalogs, and preserves native Australian wild yeast and bacterial strains through a citizen science platform. The core technology is a living yeast library of 100+ unique species and 700+ isolates, collected from diverse Australian environments using distributed probe kits containing sterile vials, swabs, gloves, and recording materials. Quantitative genotyping and fermentation characterization are conducted in collaboration with the University of Newcastle's BRaT Lab and Macquarie University, with 40+ strains currently under commercial patent evaluation.
Wild Yeast Zoo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wild Yeast Zoo
- Legal name
- Wild Yeast Zoo
- Website
- https://wildyeastzoo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Wild Yeast Zoo is an Australian biotechnology research center that catalogs native wild yeast and bacteria through a citizen science platform, collecting samples via distributed probe kits and collaborating with breweries and academic partners to commercialize strains for sustainable food, beverage, agriculture, and manufacturing applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wild Yeast Zoo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biotechnology Research Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beverage Fermentation Cultures (Beer, Wine, Cider, Kombucha, Fermented Soft Drinks) (AFAJAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bakery & Baking Yeast (Fresh, Active Dry, Instant, Specialty Yeasts) (AFAJAJAD), Microbiological Reference Cultures, Strains & Controls (Food Micro) (AFALAKAF)
Keywords
Where Wild Yeast Zoo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newcastle
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wild Yeast Zoo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Yeast Sponsorship / Donations: Participants can sponsor specific yeast species (Spathaspora, Wickerhamomyces, Starmerella, Leuconostoc, Hanseniaspora) at tiered price points ($10-$50) or contribute custom amounts. Donations available as one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions. Supports continuation of research and library expansion.
- Probe Kit Sales: Sale of probe kits containing instructions, sterile vials, swab, rubber gloves, storage vessel, and record sheet for collecting yeast samples. Kits assembled and shipped by Wild Yeast Zoo employees.
- Research Commercialization: Commercialization of wild yeast and bacterial strains through creation of valuable chemicals and ingredients for food, drinks, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and future energy sources. Potential licensing of discovered strains and metabolic pathways.
- Collaboration with Rogue Scholar Brewing: First commercial project using wild yeast samples to brew beer for sale at partner brewery in Newcastle, demonstrating pathway to product commercialization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Individual yeast species sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General Fund sponsorship |
| Other | Annual | Donation frequency options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Wild Yeast Zoo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wild Yeast Zoo discovers, catalogs, and preserves native Australian wild yeast and bacteria through a citizen science sampling model. The company operates a living yeast library of 100+ unique species and 700+ isolates, and commercializes strain discoveries for sustainable manufacturing applications across food, beverage, agriculture, textiles, and biotech sectors.
Product overview
Wild Yeast Zoo operates as a citizen science platform centered around a comprehensive yeast library. The core offering is the Yeast Library—a growing collection of over 100 unique wild yeast species cataloged through participant-collected probe kit samples. Physical products include the Probe Kit for citizen scientists to gather yeast samples from diverse environments. The ecosystem includes a Yeast Sponsorship Program where supporters can donate to sponsor specific yeast species (Spathaspora, Wickerhamomyces, Starmerella, Leuconostoc, Hanseniaspora). Research services are provided through Industry Research Collaboration, connecting academic research with commercial applications in sustainable manufacturing. The program connects citizen scientists, academic researchers (via BRaTlab at University of Newcastle), and industry partners for biodiversity-driven innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Probe Kit
- Yeast Library
- Yeast Sponsorship Program
- Citizen Science Program
- Industry Research Collaboration
Companies that use Wild Yeast Zoo
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Wild Yeast Zoo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Wild Yeast Zoo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and flagship.
- Woodford Folk FestivalsupportingEvent organizer supporting Wild Yeast Zoo's presence at 2023/4 Woodford Folk Festival where team delivered public lectures, discussion forums, and led citizen science walking tours.
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Synthetic BiologycoreWild Yeast Zoo is supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. Dr Ian Paulsen serves as Director of CoESB and Deputy Director of Macquarie Biomolecular Discovery and Design Centre. Research collaboration for yeast characterization and synthetic biology applications.
- CSIRO ON Accelerate ProgramcoreProud alumni of the CSIRO ON Prime and ON Accelerate programs, which support deep tech startups and research commercialization in Australia.
- Inspiring Australia (NSW and Queensland)coreSupported by Inspiring Australia through both NSW and Queensland state networks. These programs support public engagement with science and have helped promote Wild Yeast Zoo initiatives including Woodford Folk Festival appearances.
- University of NewcastlecoreMultiple team members affiliated with University of Newcastle. BRaT Lab (Bacterial Regulation and Transport Laboratory) led by Dr Karl Hassan conducts yeast quantification and analysis. I2N (Integrated Innovation Network) provides office space at Honeysuckle Drive campus.
- Macquarie UniversitycoreAdvisory board members include A/Prof Amy Cain (ARC DECRA Fellow in Molecular Sciences), Dr Ian Paulsen (Distinguished Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow), and Dr Christopher Lean (Philosopher of Science). Collaborative synthetic biology research.
- Hunter Biological SolutionscoreFounded by Prof Peter Lewis with over 30 years in molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry. Company focuses on gene expression, antimicrobial development and metabolic engineering for green energy and chemical production.
- Integrated Innovation Network (I2N)supportingUniversity-connected innovation hub at Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle. Provides headquarters facility and innovation ecosystem support for Wild Yeast Zoo operations.
- Rogue Scholar BrewingflagshipFirst commercial collaboration where specific wild yeast samples will be used to brew a brand-new beer for sale at the brewery in Newcastle. Demonstrates pathway for citizen-collected samples to reach commercial application.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wild Yeast Zoo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Wild Yeast Zoo social profiles
Digital presenceWild Yeast Zoo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wild Yeast Zoo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Wild Yeast Zoo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wild Yeast Zoo 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 Wild Yeast Zoo
What does Wild Yeast Zoo do?
Wild Yeast Zoo discovers, catalogs, and preserves native Australian wild yeast and bacteria through a citizen science sampling model. The company operates a living yeast library of 100+ unique species and 700+ isolates, and commercializes strain discoveries for sustainable manufacturing applications across food, beverage, agriculture, textiles, and biotech sectors.
Is Wild Yeast Zoo a public or private company?
Wild Yeast Zoo is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Wild Yeast Zoo founded?
Wild Yeast Zoo was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Wild Yeast Zoo based?
Wild Yeast Zoo is headquartered in Newcastle, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Wild Yeast Zoo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Yeast Sponsorship / Donations are the primary driver. The others are probe Kit Sales, research Commercialization and collaboration with Rogue Scholar Brewing.
Does Wild Yeast Zoo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wild Yeast Zoo.
What industry is Wild Yeast Zoo in?
Wild Yeast Zoo's product category is Biotechnology Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAJAC, Beverage Fermentation Cultures (Beer, Wine, Cider, Kombucha, Fermented Soft Drinks), with a secondary code of AFAJAJAD, Bakery & Baking Yeast (Fresh, Active Dry, Instant, Specialty Yeasts).