Bringing nature data to the boardroom, NatureMetrics nets over €14 million

The impact of human life on earth is under increasing scrutiny. Across the world, targets are being set and plans put in place to minimise the harm we are doing to our planet. The challenge is to meet this demand in a net-zero carbon and nature-positive economy.

DNA-based nature monitoring can become a very significant solution in the long run. Responding to the anticipated surge in nature data requirements from ESG-conscious investors and regulators, UK-based DNA-based biodiversity monitoring company NatureMetrics has raised more than €14 million. The investment was led by urban sustainability-focused VC fund 2150 with participation from Ananda Impact Ventures, SWEN Capital Partners’ Blue Ocean and BNP Paribas Solar Impulse Venture Fund, and follow-on from Systemiq Capital.

Founded in 2014, the platform brings the power of genetics to frontline ecology. With comprehensive DNA analysis, it monitors biodiversity and measures nature capital in the environment. Thus, biodiversity becomes measurable to help businesses transition to a nature-positive economy. 

Katie Critchlow, CEO of NatureMetrics said: “For too long, society has been failing nature because we haven’t had the tools to set and monitor targets. We want to make biodiversity data simple and easy to understand for decision-makers.”

NatureMetrics’ first long term data product in development is called iNPI (Intelligent Net Positive Impact) – a long-term managed service for site-based clients wanting to demonstrate a quantifiable net gain in biodiversity. The product combines eDNA with geospatial data to deliver landscape-level maps of biodiversity value.

Margarita Skarkou, investor at 2150 added: “To solve the climate crisis we need a data driven approach to understanding how we as human beings are causing the sixth extinction. Biodiversity data has not been quantified as effectively as other data sources, yet its measurement at scale is critical to protecting and preserving it.” 

The company currently runs two eDNA labs in the U.K. and Canada, which have delivered comprehensive data from the soil, freshwater and marine samples on species from bacteria to blue whales.