BioCap Limited

What BioCap Limited does

BioCap Limited is a not-for-profit company by guarantee and registered charity founded in April 2020 by Ed Cooper and headquartered in Newbury, West Berkshire, United Kingdom. The organization develops nature-based projects that produce and trade Biodiversity Units under the UK's Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulatory framework, which became mandatory in England on 12 February 2024, and provides Environmental Impact Claims advisory services to support corporate ESG and TNFD reporting. BioCap operates a portfolio of habitat banks, with the flagship 130-hectare Sulham Woodmeadows project (119 hectares per project registration) on Sulham Estate — which began commercial Biodiversity Unit trading in September 2025 with over 750 units available — and the 40-hectare Little Hidden Farm project near Hungerford, giving it direct landowner relationships covering approximately 600 hectares in West Berkshire.

The company's underlying technology combines a GIS-based West Berkshire Opportunity Map (built with publicly available environmental, historical and government data, satellite imagery, and drone data) with AI/ML-based biodiversity measurement techniques validated through an EU UFO-funded grasslands study and now being extended through the European Space Agency Biodiversity Metrics Demonstrator project. BioCap does not lease land: farmers retain control of management, and BioCap acts as a broker between landowners creating habitat and developers needing units to meet the mandatory 10% BNG requirement, while also facilitating Environmental Impact Claims for businesses. Revenue is generated via transaction fees on Biodiversity Unit sales and professional services for environmental impact advisory work, with pricing negotiated on a quote basis rather than disclosed publicly. The firm is supported by a broad regional partnership network including West Berkshire Council, BBOWT, Natural England, BBOWT, Action for the River Kennet, TVERC, North Wessex Downs AONB, Finance Earth, and technology partners IMGeospatial, Ordnance Survey, Pemberton.ai and Easol.

Name

BioCap Limited

Legal name

BioCap Limited

Website

https://biocap.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BioCap Limited is a not-for-profit, Newbury-based social enterprise that develops West Berkshire habitat banks to trade Biodiversity Units to developers under the UK's mandatory BNG regime and provides Environmental Impact Claims advisory services for corporate ESG and TNFD reporting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Net Gain and Natural Capital Services

NAICS

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (113210)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / No Net Loss Planning & Metrics (EUAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodiversity Conservation & Habitat Banking (AFAMAMAC), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

Keywords

• Biodiversity net gain
• Natural capital trading
• Habitat bank services
• Environmental impact claims
• Biodiversity unit brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

Newbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biodiversity Units Trading: BioCap facilitates the sale and purchase of Biodiversity Units generated from habitat creation projects. They act as a broker between landowners creating habitat and developers needing units to meet BNG requirements. The company provides end-to-end support including design, management, and trading of biodiversity units.
2. Environmental Impact Claims: Services to help businesses explore practical projects supporting ESG aims and environmental disclosures (TNFD). Includes guidance on how businesses can fund nature projects and claim legitimate impacts for reporting purposes.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BioCap Limited operates a regional marketplace and advisory service for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in West Berkshire, UK. The company develops habitat banks (such as the 119-hectare Sulham Woodmeadows and 40-hectare Little Hidden Farm) and facilitates the sale and purchase of Biodiversity Units between landowners creating habitat and developers needing units to meet the mandatory 10% BNG requirement under the Environment Act 2021. BioCap also provides Environmental Impact Claims services to help businesses fund nature projects and support ESG and TNFD reporting, alongside a GIS-based Opportunity Map and an AI/drone-based grassland biodiversity measurement capability.

Product overview

BioCap Limited operates a portfolio of nature-based solutions focused on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Natural Capital. The core offerings include two flagship habitat banks (Sulham Woodmeadows - 119ha and Little Hidden Farm - 40ha) for trading Biodiversity Units to developers and landowners. Supporting services include Environmental Impact Claims for ESG/TNFD reporting, technology platforms (Opportunity Map for GIS-based biodiversity and carbon mapping), and Grassland Biodiversity Measurement using satellite/drone imagery with AI/ML. The company also provides community education through events and advisory services for landowners developing habitat creation projects. BioCap is structured as a not-for-profit social enterprise with registered charity status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sulham Woodmeadows Habitat Bank BioCap's flagship habitat bank project in West Berkshire spanning 119 hectares near Reading. Features grassland, woodland, scrub, hedgerows, ponds, and walnut orchard, providing Biodiversity Units for developers needing BNG compliance.
• Little Hidden Farm Habitat Bank A 40-hectare organic farm BNG project near Hungerford featuring grassland and meadow enhancements with new hedgerows. Maintains a 30-year legacy of organic farming while creating new habitat for BNG unit generation.
• Biodiversity Units Trading Service Brokerage service facilitating the sale and purchase of Biodiversity Units between landowners creating habitat and developers needing units to meet mandatory BNG compliance. Provides expert knowledge of biodiversity metric assessments and verifiable monitoring of units.
• Environmental Impact Claims Service Advisory service helping businesses explore how practical nature projects can support ESG aims and environmental disclosures including TNFD reporting. Includes guidance on funding nature projects and claiming legitimate impacts.
• West Berkshire Opportunity Map GIS-based mapping tool that processes geospatial data to identify areas in West Berkshire suitable for biodiversity and carbon capture projects. Uses satellite imagery, drone data, and environmental datasets with AI/ML analysis. Now incorporated into the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
• Grassland Biodiversity Measurement Service Innovative technology service using satellite and drone data combined with AI and ML to measure biodiversity in grasslands. Developed through EU-funded UFO programme in partnership with IMGeospatial to score biodiversity using aerial imagery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130 ha of arable land transformed into mosaic habitat including 80+ ha grassland, 6km hedgerows, 24ha woodland
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• West Berkshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey stakeholder in the Natural Solutions Partnership. Provides delivery of West Berkshire Council's Environment Strategy, acts as landowner, holds budget authority, coordinating role, and parish council contacts. LPA for BNG unit trading.
• BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife Trust partner owning nature reserves. Provides ecological expertise, role in planning process, and Nature Recovery Network participation. Co-developing habitat creation projects including Sulham Woodmeadows.
• Natural EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner in the Natural Solutions Partnership providing regulatory guidance and support for nature-based interventions.
• Action for the River Kennet (ARK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractical conservation partner responsible for wetland creation at Sulham Woodmeadows project, working along river corridors for natural flood management.
• Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides ecological survey data, baseline species records, and GIS mapping expertise for opportunity mapping and biodiversity assessments.
• North Wessex Downs AONBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership for planning guidance and farm cluster development in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape area.
• Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment (TOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProven experience in distribution of biodiversity net gain offset funds, carbon offset expertise, and environmental fund management for regional natural capital markets.
• Sulham EstateflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey landowner partner for the flagship 130ha Sulham Woodmeadows project transforming arable land into biodiversity habitat for BNG unit generation.
• IMGeospatialcoreTechnology or IntegrationData and AI mapping expertise partner for developing the West Berkshire Opportunity Map and biodiversity measurement technology using drones and satellites.
• Soarizon (Thales subsidiary)supportingTechnology or IntegrationDrone imaging and data collection partner for capturing aerial imagery of habitat creation sites.
• Englefield and Wasing EstatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandownership and agricultural expertise partnership providing land for pilot projects and practical farming knowledge.
• GeoCentosupportingTechnology or IntegrationSatellite imagery data provider for mapping and monitoring biodiversity across project areas.
• Ordnance Survey GeovationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationGeovation Accelerator Programme participant in Autumn 2020 cohort, receiving 6 months support, OS software developer access, business workshops, and £10,000 funding.
• Freshwater Habitats TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractical partner for pond creation at Sulham Woodmeadows, advising on locations and management for great crested newts and other species.
• Mend the GapsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramme supporting railway electrification visual impact mitigation. Funded wetland creation and tree planting at Sulham Woodmeadows.
• European Space Agency (ESA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for ESA Biodiversity Metrics Demonstrator project using satellite imagery and AI to measure grassland biodiversity at scale.
• Finance EarthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Nature Accelerator partner working to ensure West Berkshire habitat creation projects are investment-ready for the UK Nature Impact Fund.
• Pemberton.aisupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner in ESA Biodiversity Metrics Demonstrator project for AI-based biodiversity measurement.
• EasolsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner in ESA Biodiversity Metrics Demonstrator project for platform development.
• Sainsbury'ssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in ESA Biodiversity Metrics Demonstrator project exploring supply chain biodiversity measurement.
• Woodmeadow TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory partner providing expertise on woodmeadow creation, including 25-acre community woodland example at Three Hagges Woodmeadow.
• FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for tree planting in Railway Field, part of Mend the Gap project for railway electrification mitigation.
• Natural EnglandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment representative present for rare disease-resistant elm tree planting ceremony from millennium seed bank at Kew.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Environment Bank: Environment Bank is a UK-wide habitat bank operator and BNG unit broker connecting landowners with developers needing statutory biodiversity units - directly overlapping with BioCap's core BNG trading and habitat bank model, though operating at greater national scale.
• NatureSpace: NatureSpace provides biodiversity metric assessments, habitat banking and BNG advisory services for developers and landowners in England, making it a closely comparable service provider to BioCap's BNG unit trading and landowner advisory offerings.
• Ecosulis: Ecosulis is a UK ecology consultancy offering biodiversity assessments, habitat creation and natural capital services to developers and landowners - a comparable B2B service mix to BioCap's Biodiversity Units trading and Environmental Impact Claims.
• Biodiversity by Design: Biodiversity by Design is an ecology consultancy that designs and delivers Biodiversity Net Gain projects including habitat banks and unit trading - functionally similar to BioCap's BNG and habitat creation services for UK developers.
• The Ecology Consultancy: The Ecology Consultancy provides ecological surveys, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and habitat design for UK development projects - directly comparable to BioCap's biodiversity metric assessment and landowner advisory services.
• Smithbrook Kilns Habitat Bank: Smithbrook Kilns is a specific UK local habitat bank trading Biodiversity Units, mirroring BioCap's Sulham Woodmeadows asset model and directly comparable as a regional BNG unit supplier.

Emerging players

• Greenspace (BNG consultancy network): Greenspace is a UK ecology-led consultancy providing BNG and habitat creation services to smaller developer clients - an emerging player with overlapping service offerings to BioCap but typically without a bank-style unit inventory.

Others

• Finance Earth: Finance Earth is a UK Nature Impact Fund manager and nature-finance intermediary that operates alongside habitat bank projects - an ecosystem partner to BioCap rather than a direct competitor, but operating in the same BNG investment-ready pipeline via the UK Nature Accelerator.

Broad incumbents

• The Wildlife Trusts (national federation): The Wildlife Trusts federation and member trusts deliver BNG advisory services, habitat creation and conservation land management across the UK, overlapping with BioCap's wildlife trust-style ecological expertise but at significantly greater national scale and brand recognition.

Regional players

• BBOWT (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust): BBOWT is both a BioCap core partnership counterparty and the dominant regional Wildlife Trust running habitat creation and BNG work across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire - partly a peer and partly an in-region collaborator in habitat delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BioCapBerkshire
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biocap-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 BioCap Limited