What The Fieldwork Company B.v. does

The Fieldwork Company B.v. is a Dutch ecological restoration specialist headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, focused on aquatic and coastal ecosystem restoration with an emphasis on seagrass meadows, shellfish populations, and protected species monitoring. The company combines in-house hardware engineering (3D printing workshop including a KUKA KR200L140 robotic arm with CAED extruder, drone fleet, waterproof camera systems, vessels) with proprietary field methodologies, most notably the DIS (Dispenser Injection Seeding) method—published in Ecological Engineering as the most efficient seed-based technique for intertidal seagrass restoration—and the Burrow Surveyor, a compact sensor platform for non-destructive underground tunnel mapping. Operations span seagrass nursery cultivation (Seagrass Nursery 2.0 in Groningen and 20m² seawater-fed basins at Lauwersoog harbour), large-scale restoration deployment, and monitoring services, supported by image analysis and 3D modeling from aerial and underwater surveys.

The business model is project-based professional services delivered to government water management agencies (Rijkswaterstaat, Staatsbosbeheer, Municipality of Groningen), marine research institutions (NIOZ, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen), and conservation organizations (Natuurmonumenten, ARK Rewilding Netherlands, Stichting Waterproef), with additional international advisory work in France (Parc naturel marin Bassin d'Arcachon, Office Français de la Biodiversité) and knowledge exchange across the EU. The go-to-market is consortium-led rather than sales-led, with the company embedded in multi-year formal project consortia—such as the 5-year Rijkswaterstaat agreement under the European Water Framework Directive—and funded in part through public grants (Waddenfonds, SNN, EU EFRO). Revenue is generated through professional services contracts and hardware/equipment deployment, with no publicly disclosed pricing and a €3M single-project contract referenced. Founded in 2009 (per firmographics) with seagrass restoration work formalized from 2017, the company operates as a privately held Dutch B.v. with no parent entity, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public listings.

Name

The Fieldwork Company B.v.

Legal name

The Fieldwork Company B.v.

Website

https://fieldworkcompany.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Fieldwork Company is a Dutch ecological restoration firm that combines proprietary field technologies (DIS seeding method, Burrow Surveyor, 3D printing, drones) with project-based services to restore seagrass meadows and shellfish populations, primarily serving Dutch and French government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecological Restoration Services

NAICS

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (11), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

Keywords

• Ecological restoration services
• Seagrass restoration
• Aquatic ecosystem monitoring
• Marine survey technology
• Ecosystem fieldwork services

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ecological Fieldwork Services: The company generates revenue through providing specialized ecological fieldwork services including survey support, monitoring, and field research assistance to government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations. Revenue is project-based, typically through consortium arrangements for multi-year restoration projects.
2. Technology Development and Equipment Rental: Development and application of proprietary technologies (drones, cameras, Burrow Surveyor, seeding equipment) for ecological projects. Equipment may be rented alongside technical expertise.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Fieldwork Company provides specialized ecological fieldwork services and proprietary technologies for aquatic ecosystem restoration, with a primary focus on seagrass meadow restoration in Dutch coastal waters (Wadden Sea and Southern Delta). The company combines hardware capabilities (drones, cameras, 3D printing, Burrow Surveyor) with restoration methodologies (DIS seeding method, seagrass nursery cultivation) and field research support to government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations.

Product overview

The Fieldwork Company operates as an ecological research and restoration technology company offering an integrated portfolio of products and services centered on ecosystem restoration, particularly aquatic and coastal environments. The core offering combines hardware products (Drones, Camera Systems, 3D Printing, Burrow Surveyor) with specialized restoration services (Seagrass Nursery, Seagrass Restoration, Shellfish Restoration) and methodologies (DIS Method). The company provides end-to-end capabilities from data collection (drone surveys, camera monitoring, towcam systems) through restoration implementation (seeding machines, nursery cultivation) to outcome monitoring, supported by custom engineering (3D printed biodegradable structures) and logistical equipment (vessels, vehicles). The product architecture is organized around interconnected capabilities: sensing/analysis tools (Drones, Cameras, TowCam, Image Analysis) feed into ecological assessment, while the restoration portfolio (Seagrass Nursery, Seagrass Restoration, Shellfish Restoration, DIS Method) provides intervention solutions, all supported by the Burrow Surveyor for infrastructure protection monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drone Surveys UAV-based aerial surveys for nature monitoring, vegetation mapping, and 3D modeling using automated flight control with high-accuracy imagery and ground resolution to produce orthomosaics and digital terrain models for ecological research and management.
• Camera Systems Wildlife webcam and camera solutions including waterproof HD cameras, nest box cameras, eco-passage cameras, and beaver burrow monitoring systems, often powered by off-grid autonomous energy systems with solar panels and WiFi/4G connectivity for remote viewing.
• 3D Printing In-house 3D printing workshop with FDM printers including a large-format system with KUKA KR200L140 robotic arm and CAED Robot extruder (max print area 2.5 x 2.5 x 3 m) for printing biodegradable prototypes for ecosystem restoration.
• Burrow Surveyor Compact advanced sensor platform for quickly and non-destructively mapping underground tunnels and hollow spaces using video footage, sensor data, and 3D models for risk assessments. Dimensions 28x17x12cm, operational depth up to 9 meters, suitable for tunnels 20cm diameter or larger.
• Seagrass Nursery Controlled environment cultivation of seagrass plants (Zostera marina, Zostera noltii) for restoration purposes. Includes mesocosms and approximately 20m² seawater-fed basins at Lauwersoog harbour, with goal of proof of concept by 2026.
• Seagrass Restoration Ecosystem restoration services for seagrass meadows using seed-based and plant transplantation methods, including DIS (Dispenser Injection Seeding) method, seagrass seeding machine (DIS Wheel), and underwater/subtidal seeding technologies.
• Shellfish Restoration Research and restoration activities for shellfish populations in the Wadden Sea, including artificial mussel bank construction using biodegradable elements (BESE blocks) with coir rope and coconut mats.
• Image Analysis Image analysis services for ecological monitoring including vegetation mapping, bird colony counting (geese, terns), and species identification from drone and camera imagery.
• TowCam (Bruce) Custom underwater camera system dragged behind boats for seafloor imaging. Features RVS frame with high-resolution photo and video cameras, 100-meter umbilical cord with live view, operational up to 60 meters depth.
• Vessels Fleet of multifunctional vessels for ecological fieldwork operations in coastal and tidal environments.
• Ecological Custom Solutions Customized ecological solutions with specialized tools, materials, and expertise tailored to specific project requirements.
• Seeding Drone Aerial adaptation of the DIS method integrated with heavy-duty drones and custom-designed dispenser for precise seed injection without substrate disturbance in soft or muddy conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seagrass field established at Griend: 650+ ha with over 1 million plants by 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NIOZ (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Ongoing collaboration on multiple research projects including SUBES (subtidal benthic mapping for Rijkswaterstaat), SIBES (intertidal monitoring), and Sabellaria reef research. Fieldwork support provided aboard RV Wim Wolff research vessel.
• Rijksuniversiteit GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-term research collaboration on seagrass cultivation and restoration since 2019. Partner in successful Griend seagrass restoration project. Provides greenhouse facilities at Zernike campus for controlled environment experiments. Contact person Jannes Heusinkveld represents the collaboration.
• Parc naturel marin Bassin d'ArcachonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, advisory and assistance for seagrass restoration in Bay of Arcachon, France. Established donor material processing facility in August 2021 with local volunteers. Methods include DIS seeding and plant transplantation.
• NatuurmonumentencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration on Griend ecosystem restoration project. Natuurmonumenten manages the protected Wadden island where major seagrass and mussel bank restoration has been conducted.
• Witteveen+BoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in 5-year seagrass restoration project for Rijkswaterstaat along with Altenburg & Wymenga and University of Groningen.
• Altenburg & Wymenga ecologisch onderzoekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in 5-year seagrass restoration project for Rijkswaterstaat under European Water Framework Directive.
• Office Français de la BiodiversitémajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecember 2025 collaboration for seagrass seeding using The Fieldwork Company's seeding drone in Bay of Arcachon, France.
• GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung KielminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge exchange during winter regarding seagrass restoration techniques, informing 2025 planting campaign experiments in Zeeland.
• SDU Sønderborg – University of Southern DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge exchange during winter on seagrass restoration practices, informing 2025 planting campaign.
• ARK Rewilding NetherlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite visit collaboration at Lake Grevelingen seagrass restoration plots, knowledge exchange on marine restoration practices.
• Radboud Universiteit NijmegenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Griend ecosystem restoration including mussel bank and seagrass projects.
• Bureau WaardenburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Griend ecosystem restoration research.
• Project Seagrass (UK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based seagrass restoration organization. The Fieldwork Company's seagrass seeding machine (DIS Wheel) featured in Project Seagrass/Swansea University research published in Ecological Engineering. Visited their nursery in 2024 and 2025. Collaboration on international seagrass restoration knowledge exchange.
• FoamplantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Next Generation Aquafarming project developing biodegradable growfoam substrates specifically designed for seagrass cultivation in closed cultivation systems.
• WaddenloodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField station partnership in Lauwersoog harbour with Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat, Stichting Geïntegreerde Visserij, and Werelderfgoedcentrum Waddenzee for seagrass nursery and coastal research activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fieldwork-company

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 The Fieldwork Company B.v.