The pet food industry is worth an impressive $115.50 billion, with dog food making up nearly half of that market. However, much of the dog food available on the market is meat-based, which sparked an idea in Ryan Bethencourt.
In 2017, Ryan founded Wild Earth, a company focused on creating plant-based, eco-friendly, and vegan dog food.
His unique approach involved using koji, a fungus that typically grows on grains, and combining it with beets and sugars to enhance flavor.
Wild Earth’s treats are rich in protein and packed with umami flavors, making them a nutritious, environmentally friendly option for dog owners.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Wild Earth had raised $4 million in funding to develop a proof of concept for its dog treats and kibble.
At the time of their pitch, the company hadn’t yet launched their products to the market, although there was significant interest from the pet industry.
On Shark Tank In 2019, Ryan appeared on Shark Tank during Season 10, seeking $550,000 for 5% equity in Wild Earth. He presented the company as the only eco-friendly, vegan dog food company on the market.
He highlighted how Wild Earth’s key ingredient, koji, was a sustainable protein source that contained the amino acids dogs need for a healthy diet.
Ryan demonstrated the product by feeding it to dogs, though some of the sharks were skeptical, especially Kevin O’Leary, who believed it was too expensive and untested.
The sharks were concerned about the high valuation of $11 million for a company with no sales at the time.
Despite the concerns, Ryan’s background in biotech and his involvement in founding IndieBio caught the sharks’ attention. He had raised significant funds and developed a proprietary strain of koji to scale up production.
However, the valuation remained a sticking point for the sharks. While Mark Cuban showed interest, he lowered the offer to $550,000 for 10% of the company, a deal Ryan ultimately accepted after some hesitation.
After Shark Tank 2025 Update
Following the Shark Tank appearance, Wild Earth saw a massive growth surge. Instead of sticking to the initial deal with Mark Cuban, Mark’s investment firm joined forces with other investors, securing an impressive $11 million in a Series A round at a higher valuation.
The company’s dog treats quickly became popular, especially after they were listed on Amazon, where sales skyrocketed.
In 2021, Wild Earth launched its much-anticipated vegan dog kibble, which also received positive reviews from customers. By 2022, the brand’s products were available in Walmart stores, marking a significant milestone in its retail expansion.
Ryan also announced that Wild Earth had raised over $23 million from prominent investors, helping fuel the company’s rapid growth.
Over the past two years, the company has experienced over 700% growth, and it expects even more expansion in the years to come.
In 2025, Wild Earth reported an annual revenue of $21 million. With continued growth and expansion into major retail outlets like Walmart, Wild Earth is now considered a leader in the plant-based pet food market.
The company also received regulatory approval for its cell-based koji treats, which come in three flavors: Banana and cinnamon, strawberry and beet, and peanut butter.
Ryan’s vision for the future includes developing cell-based meat for pet food, which could further revolutionize the industry.
