NABU|naturgucker gemeinnützige eG

What NABU|naturgucker gemeinnützige eG does

NABU|naturgucker gemeinnützige eG is a German non-profit cooperative (eingetragene Genossenschaft) founded in 2007 and headquartered in Northeim, operating a community-driven nature observation platform. Its core offering is the Meldeportal, a free web and mobile-optimized social platform where 347,603 active community members document sightings of animals, plants, fungi, and natural phenomena worldwide, contributing to an open dataset of 34.8 million observations and 4.4 million images/videos that is shared with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The platform applies proprietary data quality metrics (mAI and IDB) and uses AI-assisted butterfly identification via Pattern Recognition Company's Excire Foto technology, with automatic location protection for sensitive species.

The organization is structurally a cooperative with 5 employees and operates a multi-product ecosystem rather than a single application. It runs the free NABU|naturgucker-Akademie online learning platform (6–48 hour courses, funded by the Bundesamt für Naturschutz through December 2026 under the Bundesprogramm Biologische Vielfalt), the editorial NABU|naturgucker-Journal, the paid NABU|naturgucker-Reisen nature travel vertical launched in autumn 2022, and progressive web app Action Pages for seasonal campaigns. It is the strategic partner of NABU Bundesverband, Germany's largest environmental association, since 2016, a relationship formalized by the cooperative's 2024 renaming to NABU|naturgucker.

Revenue is generated primarily from public grants (BfN; Niedersächsische Bingo-Umweltstiftung) and travel bookings, with the core observation platform and academy offered free of charge. GTM is community-led and event-driven, with distribution through content marketing, social media, an annual congress, observation competitions, and the NABU partnership. The company self-hosts Matomo analytics for DSGVO compliance and integrates with GBIF, Flickr, Vimeo, and Google Maps.

Name

NABU|naturgucker gemeinnützige eG

Legal name

NABU naturgucker gemeinnützige eG

Website

https://nabu-naturgucker.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NABU|naturgucker is a German non-profit cooperative operating a free, community-driven nature observation platform where 347,603+ members document wildlife, plants, and fungi globally, complemented by a free online academy, an editorial journal, and a paid nature travel vertical serving citizen scientists, conservation researchers, and nature enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Citizen Science Platform

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (519)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Surveys & Movement/Connectivity Studies (e.g., Avian/Bat, Telemetry) (EUAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) & Digital Recordkeeping (AFABAMAD), Field Mapping, GIS & Remote Sensing Analytics (AFAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Citizen science platform
• Nature observation reporting
• Biodiversity data collection
• Online nature education
• Conservation travel services

Headquarters

HQ city

Northeim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Travel Services (NABU|naturgucker-Reisen): Nature-focused travel and excursion services including nature trips, networking trips, and practical training days (Praxistage) primarily within Europe. Revenue generated through travel bookings.
2. Public Funding and Grants: Project funding from government sources including Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) for the NABU|naturgucker-Akademie project (December 2020 to December 2026) and Niedersächsische Bingo-Umweltstiftung for KNAK and BiNeN projects.
3. Core Platform Services (Free): The observation portal and academy are offered free of charge to users, supported by funding and partnerships rather than direct user revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NABU|naturgucker operates a free social networking platform for documenting nature observations (animals, plants, fungi, and natural phenomena) worldwide, complemented by a free online learning academy with structured courses on species and habitats, an editorial journal for detailed nature reports, and paid nature-focused travel offerings primarily within Europe. The platform provides AI-assisted species identification, proprietary data quality metrics, and connectivity to conservation research via GBIF data sharing.

Product overview

NABU|naturgucker operates a multi-platform ecosystem centered on a nature observation reporting portal (Meldeportal) — a social networking platform for documenting sightings of animals, plants, and fungi globally — complemented by the NABU|naturgucker-Akademie (free online learning with species/habitat courses and webinars), the NABU|naturgucker-Journal (editorial reporting platform), and NABU|naturgucker-Reisen (nature-focused travel). The observation portal includes AI-based species identification assistance (butterfly recognition via Excire Foto), community chat features (natur|chatter), and mobile action pages for seasonal campaigns. All offerings interconnect around biodiversity data collection, education, and conservation research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NABU|naturgucker-Akademie: Online learning platform offering courses on species knowledge, habitats, and nature observation. Funded by the Bundesprogramm Biologische Vielfalt.
• NABU|naturgucker-Reisen
• NABU|naturgucker-Journal
• Meldeportal

Products and services

• Meldeportal (Nature Observation Portal) A free social networking platform for documenting nature observations of animals, plants, fungi, and natural phenomena worldwide, with image/video uploads, AI-assisted species identification, sensitive species location protection, and connectivity to international biodiversity research via GBIF data sharing.
• NABU|naturgucker-Akademie A free online learning platform offering multimedia courses on species groups, habitats, and nature observation basics, including monthly live webinars and structured learning paths ranging from 6 to 48 learning hours, with some courses preparing for BANU certificate exams.
• NABU|naturgucker-Journal A free online journal platform for publishing detailed nature observation reports and articles, integrated with species profiles on the observation portal.
• NABU|naturgucker-Reisen Paid nature-focused travel offerings including nature tours, network (community-building) trips, and multi-day practical training days (Praxistage) that connect classroom learning with field excursions, primarily within Europe.
• Solar-Powered Info Terminals Two solar-powered information terminals installed in the NSG Auenlandschaft Hohenrode nature reserve, providing on-site species identification information and observation reporting access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180,000+ unique annual visitors with 10-minute average session duration
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NABU BundesverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2016Since December 2016, NABU Bundesverband (Germany's largest nature conservation association) has been the strategic partner. Joint projects in nature observation have been initiated, including NABU Insektensommer (2018-2024). The close partnership led to the renaming of the cooperative to NABU|naturgucker in February 2024. The organization operates under the NABU umbrella while maintaining independent operations.
• Pattern Recognition Company (PRC) / Excire FotocoreTechnology or IntegrationPRC developed an AI-based insect recognition tool for the observation portal using Excire Foto technology. This tool assists users in identifying butterfly species from uploaded images.
• SIGMAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSIGMA sponsors the annual photo competition 'SIGMA Naturbild'. Provides support for the photography community and nature documentation activities.
• Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint phenological observation project conducted with the German Meteorological Service, collecting data on seasonal nature events.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mykologie e.V. (DGfM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the field of mycology (fungus knowledge) supporting species documentation and educational content development.
• Arachnologische Gesellschaft (ARAGES) e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting spider species documentation and arachnology education.
• Haupt VerlagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint projects including the 'Praxisbuch Naturgucken' publication. Also collaborated on app framework development and multiple nature-focused projects.
• Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe NABU|naturgucker-Akademie project is funded by BfN with funds from the Federal Ministry for Environment, Climate Protection, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (December 2020 to December 2026) under the Federal Programme for Biological Diversity.
• Niedersächsische Bingo-UmweltstiftungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding provider for Kompetenznetzwerk Artenkenntnis Niedersachsen (KNAK) and Bingo Naturengagement Niedersachsen (BiNeN) projects.
• Alfred Toepfer Akademie für Naturschutz (NNA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Kompetenznetzwerk Artenkenntnis Niedersachsen (KNAK) project, contributing to species knowledge education in Lower Saxony.
• BUND Landesverband NiedersachsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the KNAK project for species knowledge development in Lower Saxony.
• Stiftung Naturschutzpark Lüneburger Heide (VNP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the KNAK project, contributing to nature conservation and species knowledge in the Lüneburg Heath region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology): The world's largest citizen science platform dedicated to bird observations, run by Cornell Lab. Comparable to NABU|naturgucker in model (citizen-contributed biodiversity data) and scope (specialized taxonomy of observations), with substantially greater scale and academic integration.
• Pl@ntNet: A crowdsourced plant identification platform using AI and image recognition, jointly developed by French research institutions. Comparable to NABU|naturgucker's AI-assisted species identification tools, focused on plant species.
• iNaturalist: A joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic Society, iNaturalist is the largest global citizen science platform for documenting biodiversity observations with millions of users — a direct competitor to NABU|naturgucker's Meldeportal, with greater scale, AI integration, and multilingual support.
• Observation.org: A European citizen science platform (formerly waarneming.nl/waarnemingen.be) operating across the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond, collecting nature observations similar to NABU|naturgucker. It directly competes for European citizen scientists and shares data with GBIF.

Regional players

• ArtData (Swedish Species Information Centre): Sweden's national center for biodiversity information, operating a citizen science observation platform under the Artportalen brand. Comparable to NABU|naturgucker in mission and model but operates primarily within Sweden, offering a regional template for partner-oriented conservation data.
• iSpot: A UK-based citizen science platform for identifying and sharing nature observations, focused on the British Isles. Operates a comparable community identification and observation recording model to NABU|naturgucker but does not directly compete in DACH markets.

Others

• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): An international network and data platform providing open access to biodiversity data. NABU|naturgucker shares its observations with GBIF. While GBIF is an aggregator rather than a competitor, it competes for the attention of researchers and defines data standards that influence platform design.

Emerging players

• Flora Incognita: A German AI-based plant identification app developed by TU Ilmenau and Max Planck Institute. Comparable to NABU|naturgucker's AI species identification efforts but narrower in scope (plants only) and competitor for the same German-speaking nature enthusiast audience.

Broad incumbents

• BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): One of Germany's largest environmental organizations and a KNAK project partner with NABU|naturgucker. Offers citizen science and conservation programming comparable in spirit, though with a broader advocacy focus rather than a dedicated observation platform.
• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental and nature conservation association and the strategic partner of NABU|naturgucker. While NABU is the umbrella organization, it operates broader conservation programs that include citizen science components, making it a related incumbent rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nabu-naturgucker
• Instagraminstagram.com/nabu_naturgucker

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NABU|naturgucker gemeinnützige eG