Somerset based Wilder Sensing, a developer of software for biodiversity monitoring using audio and Artificial Intelligence (AI), has secured a £300,000 equity investment from the South West Investment Fund, via appointed Fund Manager The FSE Group. This forms part of a £700,000 investment round that also includes Oxford Innovation Finance and Cambridge Angels. The new funding will enable the company to create 15 new jobs, increasing its capacity to deliver cutting-edge solutions in biodiversity data collection and analysis.
Wilder Sensing has developed an innovative AI-based platform designed to measure and report on biodiversity through the analysis of audio data. The platform uses commercially available bio-acoustic recording equipment to deliver accurate analysis of wildlife sounds, currently focusing on birds, and expanding over time to include bats, insects and other species. This continuous data collection offers more detailed and consistent insights compared to traditional static and human-led surveys.
Wilder Sensing’s platform has already attracted a diverse range of customers, including Somerset Wildlife Trust, ecological consultancies and large-scale farming businesses, as well as a project for BBC’s Springwatch. With potential applications across many sectors including Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Mining, Oil & Gas and Construction, the company is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in sustainable development and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Geoff Carss, CEO and co-founder of Wilder Sensing, which is based near Wedmore in Somerset, said: “The biodiversity collapse is one of the top global risks identified by the World Economic Forum, with over half of the world’s GDP relying on nature. Our technology addresses the urgent need for accurate, scalable, and unbiased biodiversity monitoring around the world. This investment will enable us to enhance our platform and expand our reach, helping industries and government bodies make informed decisions backed by solid data.”
You can read the full press release here.
To find out more about the SW Investment Fund, see the Fund web pages here or contact our Growth Hub team for more information.
