EarthSense

What EarthSense does

EarthSense Systems Limited is a UK-based environmental technology company headquartered at Space Park Leicester that delivers integrated air quality monitoring and modelling solutions to public sector and enterprise customers. Its product portfolio is anchored by three core offerings: the Zephyr real-time air quality monitor (an iMCERTS-certified Indicative Ambient Particulate Monitor measuring NO2, NO, O3, H2S, and PM1/PM2.5/PM10), the MappAir high-resolution global air pollution model (combining computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, weather and traffic data assimilation, source apportionment, and 72-hour forecasting at up to 2m city-scale resolution), and the MyAir web platform for data access, public dashboards, and analytics. The company also offers Virtual Zephyrs (modelled sensor points that simulate monitoring without physical deployment) and a Zephyr API for programmatic data integration, with outputs delivered in CSV, JSON, and OGC-compliant WMS/WCS formats.

The company operates an API-first go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales to UK local authorities, transport authorities, construction firms, and industrial operators with a growing international channel of distribution partners across Australia, Portugal (and Lusophone Africa), Nigeria/West Africa, and the Caribbean. Revenue is generated through a mix of subscription-based monitoring plans (annual or multi-year), MappAir API licences at city/national/global tiers, hardware sales and rentals of Zephyr monitors, and managed service offerings that bundle hardware, software, fieldwork, and reporting. Customer deployments are heavily concentrated in UK local authorities (Southampton, Westminster, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Leicester, West Midlands Combined Authority), with the largest single deployment being 376 sensors across Birmingham schools.

EarthSense was founded in 2016 as a spin-out from 15 years of air quality research at the University of Leicester, operates with 11–50 employees, and is privately held with no disclosed institutional equity investors. The company has raised approximately $2.1M across six debt and grant rounds (primarily from Royal Bank of Scotland and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund between 2019 and 2025), and holds MCERTS, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications. In 2026 it received the King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade, one of only 185 UK organisations so recognised that year.

Name

EarthSense

Legal name

EarthSense Systems Limited

Website

https://earthsense.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EarthSense provides air quality monitoring and modelling solutions combining MCERTS-certified hardware sensors, the MappAir high-resolution pollution model, and the MyAir data platform, serving primarily UK local authorities, transport authorities, construction firms, and industrial operators across multiple international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Quality Monitoring

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

SIC

Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuous/Remote Monitoring Systems (IoT Sensors, Telemetry, Networks) (EUAHACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC), Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines) (EUAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Air quality monitoring
• Air pollution modelling
• Environmental sensors
• Air quality data
• Pollution forecasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Air Quality Monitoring Subscriptions: Subscription-based plans for Zephyr monitors combined with MyAir platform access. Flexible annual or multi-year subscription-based plans offered for monitoring services.
2. MappAir API Licenses: City, national and global MappAir licenses available to cater for different applications and modelling requirements. Data accessed via API delivering multiple formats including CSV, JSON and OGC compliant web services (WMS & WCS).
3. Hardware Sales: Sale of Zephyr air quality monitors with various power options. Monitors available for purchase or rental.
4. Managed Services: Complete air quality monitoring solutions including hardware, software, managed fieldwork, network optimisation and reporting offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EarthSense provides environmental monitoring and modelling of air pollution data, delivering subscription-based hardware, software and services. The integrated portfolio combines the Zephyr real-time air quality monitor (iMCERTS-certified for PM2.5/PM10), the MappAir high-resolution global air quality model with 72-hour forecasting and source apportionment, and the MyAir web platform for data access and public-facing portals, with delivery supported by Zephyr and MappAir APIs.

Product overview

EarthSense is an air quality technology company offering an integrated product portfolio centered on three core solutions: the Zephyr real-time air quality monitor (iMCERTS-certified hardware), the MappAir high-resolution global air quality model (software with forecasting and source apportionment capabilities), and the MyAir web application for data access and public portals. The portfolio includes Virtual Zephyrs (modelled sensor points) and the Zephyr API for developer access. Products work together: Zephyr monitors provide ground-truth measurements that supplement and validate the MappAir model, while MyAir serves as the unified interface for accessing both real-time and modelled data. Data is delivered via API supporting CSV, JSON, and OGC-compliant web services (WMS and WCS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MappAir®: High-resolution global model of air pollution using advanced modelling techniques, cloud-based data inputs, and machine learning technologies.
• Zephyr®
• MyAir®

Products and services

• Zephyr air quality monitor An iMCERTS-certified real-time ambient air quality monitor that measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O3), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10). Designed for flexible deployment with multiple power options (solar panel, mains, external battery) and remote data transmission via GSM, Wi-Fi, or API integration. Targeted at local authorities, transport operators, schools, construction sites, and industrial facilities needing regulatory-grade monitoring data.
• MappAir air quality model A high-resolution global air quality model that uses computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, weather, transport, and other cloud-based data inputs to produce near real-time, historic, and 72-hour predictive pollution visualisations worldwide. Offers up to 2m spatial resolution for city models and 100m for national models, with built-in source apportionment and forecast capability. Delivered as licensed data services (city, national, and global tiers) via API in CSV, JSON, and OGC-compliant WMS/WCS formats to smart city platforms, ITS systems, digital twins, and mobile applications.
• MyAir data platform A web application and data portal that provides access to, analysis of, and download of air quality data from Zephyr monitors and MappAir models. Enables deployment of public-facing portals where communities can view current conditions, 72-hour forecasts, and alerts about poor air quality episodes. Used by local authorities, schools, and partner organisations as the standard front-end for EarthSense deployments.
• Virtual Zephyrs modelled sensor points Modelled sensor points generated by the MappAir model that produce air quality estimates for locations where no physical Zephyr monitor is installed, using advanced algorithms, real-time data assimilation, and historical pollution trends. Extend effective monitoring coverage without additional hardware and can be combined with source apportionment to characterise pollution in unmapped areas.
• Zephyr API A developer API for accessing data from deployed Zephyr air quality monitors programmatically. Enables integration of real-time air quality measurements into third-party applications, smart city platforms, IoT systems, and digital twin environments, complementing the MappAir API's modelled data feeds.
• EarthSense managed air quality monitoring service An end-to-end managed air quality monitoring service that bundles Zephyr hardware, MappAir modelling, MyAir portal access, network optimisation, managed fieldwork, and reporting into a single subscription. Provides organisations that lack in-house air quality expertise with a turnkey deployment and ongoing operations capability, typically on annual or multi-year contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68% reduction in carbon emissions achieved since 2022 baseline
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atmospheric Research and Educonsult CICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Strategic partnership marking expansion into Nigeria and West African region. Atmospheric Research and Educonsult CIC operates across UK and Nigeria with expertise in air quality monitoring, environmental research, and capacity building. Partnership includes co-location in Lagos and joint EPIC application for monitoring across key industrial locations in Lagos.
• IRP Fire and Safety LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 January 2026Distribution partnership for Zephyr air quality monitors in Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and wider Caribbean region. Trinidad-based IRP is the leading regional supplier of fire, safety, marine and environmental products following merger with Rose Environmental.
• AmbimetriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 April 2025Distribution partnership for Portugal and Portuguese-speaking markets including Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe. Ambimetric provides environmental monitoring solutions with focus on municipal clients and public sector organisations.
• ECO EnvironmentalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 March 2025Distribution partnership for Australia covering construction and environment monitoring sectors. ECO Environmental has built strong reputation for delivering high-quality environmental monitoring equipment.
• Worcestershire Regulatory ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2024Three-year monitoring project (with options to renew) deploying 24 Zephyr monitors across six district councils in Worcestershire. Funded by DEFRA Air Quality Grant, the solution includes MappAir modelling and MyAir web app access.
• Clean Air AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Private Sector Forum contributing expertise in environmental monitoring technology and air quality modelling to strengthen collaboration and accelerate action on air pollution across Africa.
• The Environment Centre (tEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charity partnership delivering wood burning campaign across Southampton, The New Forest, Eastleigh, and Winchester using EarthSense air quality data to educate public about harms of PM2.5 emissions.
• University of HertfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Hertfordshire Living Lab programme at Hatfield Business Park to develop digital twin with air quality data integration.
• Hertfordshire County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Living Lab programme using six Zephyr monitors to drive behavioural change for cleaner air by 2030.
• Ocado TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner on Hertfordshire Living Lab digital twin development at Hatfield Business Park.
• BT GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner on Hertfordshire Living Lab digital twin development at Hatfield Business Park.
• DEFRAcoreOthersGovernment department providing Air Quality Grants funding local authority monitoring projects. EarthSense solutions are funded by DEFRA grants in multiple local authority deployments.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• AQMesh: AQMesh is a UK-based provider of small-scale air quality monitoring sensor networks used by local authorities and consultancies. It directly competes with EarthSense's Zephyr sensors and subscription-based monitoring model for the same UK council and environmental consultancy buyers.
• Aeroqual: Aeroqual manufactures and sells air quality and gas sensors, including portable and fixed monitors for ambient pollutants. It competes with EarthSense Zephyr in both hardware sales and integrated monitoring deployments for industrial and government customers.
• Clarity Movement: Clarity Movement operates low-cost distributed air quality sensor networks and a cloud analytics platform, serving governments and NGOs in emerging markets. Its subscription, open-data, and software-led model parallels EarthSense's Zephyr + MyAir approach.

Broad incumbents

• Vaisala: Vaisala is a global incumbent in environmental and industrial measurements, offering reference-grade air quality sensors and weather instruments. It competes with EarthSense in higher-end regulatory monitoring and across a broader portfolio of meteorology and industrial measurement customers.
• IQAir: IQAir is a global air quality monitoring company offering both consumer-grade and professional-grade monitors, alongside an air quality information platform. It overlaps with EarthSense in the MyAir-style public-facing portal space and in government/enterprise sensor sales.
• Ricardo: Ricardo is an environmental and engineering consultancy delivering air quality assessment, modelling, and policy support to governments. It competes with EarthSense on the modelling and advisory layer (where MappAir also operates) and has deeper resources for large multi-disciplinary projects.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification firm with significant environmental monitoring and compliance services. It competes with EarthSense in regulatory-grade monitoring and can bundle air quality services with broader environmental compliance offerings for large enterprise and government clients.

Emerging players

• AirGradient: AirGradient builds open-source, low-cost air quality monitors adopted by schools, citizen scientists, and community networks globally. It is an emerging player that pressures EarthSense's hardware pricing and competes for the same school air quality monitoring use cases.
• PurpleAir: PurpleAir operates a large crowdsourced network of low-cost PM sensors with a public map and API. While it focuses on community/consumer segments, its data is increasingly used by municipalities and researchers, partially overlapping EarthSense's hyper-local monitoring proposition.
• Kaiterra: Kaiterra (originally Laser Egg) provides professional and consumer air quality monitors with a cloud dashboard. It overlaps with EarthSense's indoor/outdoor monitoring vision and serves similar enterprise and smart-building use cases with subscription dashboards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCveSIQ64ggZlIB7HEfDFKcg?view_as=subscriber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/earthsense-aq
• Instagraminstagram.com/earthsense_myair
• Xx.com/earthsenseAQ

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EarthSense