Penelope Garden, Partner and Head of Private Equity and Venture Capital, has advised the South West Investment Fund, managed by The FSE Group, on its £300,000 investment into Wilder Sensing, a company specialising in biodiversity monitoring software powered by audio and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of a larger £700,000 funding round, which also includes contributions from Oxford Innovation Finance, Syndicate Rooms and Cambridge Angels. The additional funding will allow the company to create 15 new jobs, boosting its ability to provide advanced solutions for biodiversity data collection and analysis.
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.”
Matt Browning, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Wilder Sensing’s innovative approach to biodiversity monitoring aligns perfectly with current market drivers and new legislative requirements. The company’s participation in respected incubator and accelerator programs, along with its strong intellectual property potential, demonstrates its commercial viability and scalability. We are excited to support Wilder Sensing as they lead the way in this growing market.”
As businesses and governments increasingly prioritise sustainability and nature regeneration initiatives, Wilder Sensing offers a robust solution to ensure activities are backed by data, enhancing environmental accountability and reducing the risk of greenwashing.
The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.
