Pollenize CIC

What Pollenize CIC does

Pollenize CIC is a UK Community Interest Company (non-profit social enterprise) founded in 2018 in Plymouth by Matthew Elmes and Owen Finnie, operating with 1–10 employees to deliver science-led pollinator and biodiversity restoration. Its core technology stack combines the Floradex AI biodiversity tracking platform (co-developed with the University of Plymouth, integrating the Plant-Pollinator Interaction Database and the Database of Insects and their Food Plants covering 60,000+ insect-plant interactions) with the Nest Sweeper system — an AI-powered bait station and Faster R-CNN smartphone companion app for invasive Asian Hornet identification developed in partnership with Capgemini's Applied Innovation Exchange. An accelerometer-enabled AI beehive prototype (waggle dance detection, pollen DNA analysis) extends the research pipeline, and all field observations are routed through iNaturalist into GBIF.

The company's commercial offering is anchored by three product lines: (1) Floradex-powered biodiversity surveys and bespoke wildflower meadow design/installation services sold via a quote-based 3-year engagement model to enterprises, developers, local authorities, schools, and landowners (e.g., City College Plymouth, Wolseley Trust, SeaSpace, Livewell Southwest, MVV Environment Devonport); (2) hardware/D2C products — Nest Sweeper devices (£35.99), Hornet Refill Juice (£5.99–£14.99), and native wildflower seed packets (£5.99/£22.99 bundle) — sold through pollenize.org.uk/shop with co-branded bulk offerings for corporate ESG campaigns; and (3) community programmes such as the Seeds for Schools distribution (over 37,000 Plymouth school children in 2022), the Adopt-a-Hive membership scheme, and the Nature Counts 2026 community bioblitz series funded by a £1M Rank Foundation grant matched by £500K from Livewell Southwest.

Pollenize monetises through a hybrid of subscription-style B2B service engagements, low-ticket e-commerce, corporate ESG partnerships, and grant-funded community projects. Its go-to-market combines community-led citizen science (bioblitzes, school workshops, urban apiary network across 9 Plymouth landmarks including the National Marine Aquarium rooftop and Plymouth Marine Laboratory), enterprise field sales for Floradex surveys and meadow installations, and product-led e-commerce. Strategic positioning targets the UK Biodiversity Net Gain compliance market, corporate ESG/employee engagement budgets, and the £7 million/year UK economic exposure to Asian Hornet invasion, with the Interactive Rewilding Map serving as a citizen science engagement and SEO/content marketing asset.

Name

Pollenize CIC

Legal name

Pollenize CIC

Website

https://pollenize.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pollenize CIC is a UK social enterprise (founded 2018, Plymouth) that delivers science-led pollinator and biodiversity restoration through AI-powered Floradex biodiversity surveys, the Nest Sweeper Asian Hornet detection system, and wildflower meadow creation, serving enterprises, developers, schools, and local authorities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity and Ecological Consulting

NAICS

Landscaping Services (561730), Apiculture (11291)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Enhancement (Pollinator Strips, Buffer Zones, Riparian Restoration) (AFAGAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Native & Pollinator Garden Design/Install (HSAIABAG), Bee Health Management & Treatments (Mite/Disease Control Products & Services) (AFAEAHAK), Bee Removal & Relocation (Honeybees) (HSAMAFAD)

Keywords

• Biodiversity surveys
• Wildflower meadow creation
• Pollinator conservation services
• Ecological monitoring software
• Habitat restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biodiversity Surveys & Floradex Software Services: Annual or multi-year subscription-style service providing biodiversity surveys, Floradex software access, custom reports, planting recommendations, and ongoing monitoring. Sold to businesses, developers, landowners, and local authorities through quote-based B2B sales. Three-year engagement model: Year 1 establishes baseline with 3 site surveys plus biodiversity report; Year 2 builds on progress with spring planting and continued monitoring; Year 3 deepens engagement with staff training.
2. Wildflower Meadow Creation: Bespoke mini-meadow design and installation services including soil preparation, plug plant installation, and interpretation signage. Co-branded seed packets sold in bulk for corporate events and employee engagement campaigns.
3. Product Sales - Seed Packets and Hardware: Direct e-commerce sales of native wildflower seed packets (£5.99 individual, £22.99 bundle of 4), Hornet Refill Juice (£5.99-£14.99), and Nest Sweeper AI Bait Station (£35.99). Co-branded seed packets available with minimum order quantities for B2B clients.
4. Corporate and Individual Membership/Patronage: Beekeeping membership programs for businesses and individuals providing access to community hive schemes, honey shares, exclusive resources, and participation in hive inspections.
5. School and Educational Programs: Engaging school programs including story reading, wildflower planting, bioblitz surveys, and Q&A sessions with beekeepers. Previously delivered Seeds for Schools initiative providing free wildflower seed packets to approximately 38,000 Plymouth school children.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pollenize delivers science-led, nature-based solutions for pollinator conservation through three interconnected product lines: (1) Floradex, an AI-powered biodiversity tracking software that cross-references site records against 60,000+ insect-plant interactions in national databases to prescribe ranked planting recommendations; (2) the Nest Sweeper system, an AI-powered smartphone app paired with a vaporised bait station and LoRaWAN connectivity for early detection of invasive Asian Hornets; and (3) wildflower habitat creation services and products, including bespoke mini-meadow installation and native wildflower seed packets sold direct via e-commerce. It complements these offerings with bioblitz biodiversity surveys using iNaturalist methodology and corporate / school education programs.

Product overview

Pollenize CIC is a tech-driven social enterprise offering a suite of science-led nature-based solutions for pollinator conservation. The product portfolio centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) Floradex — an AI-powered biodiversity tracking software platform with companion Biodiversity Widget for ongoing monitoring and reporting; (2) the Nest Sweeper system — comprising an AI-powered smartphone app and hardware bait station for invasive Asian Hornet detection; and (3) Wildflower Meadows and Seed Packets — habitat creation products and services including native wildflower seed packets, meadow installation, and an Interactive Rewilding Map for citizen science engagement. Biodiversity Surveys serve as the primary data collection methodology feeding into Floradex, while Bioblitz events, school programs, and corporate memberships drive community participation. The offerings integrate with iNaturalist for observation recording, GBIF for data contribution, and the Asian Hornet Watch App for sighting data sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Floradex: AI-powered biodiversity tracking software that analyses insect and plant observations to provide planting recommendations for pollinator support.
• Nest Sweeper
• Nature Counts
• Seeds for Schools

Products and services

• Nest Sweeper AI Asian Hornet Bait Station and Companion App An AI-powered bait station paired with a smartphone companion app for early detection and identification of invasive Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina). The hardware uses a vaporised dispersal method to carry hornet attractant on the wind, paired with LoRaWAN connectivity (via Ver Facil Limited) to send alerts without internet connection, and is intended for beekeepers, conservation organisations, and landowners protecting native bee colonies.
• Floradex Biodiversity Tracking Software AI-powered biodiversity tracking software that cross-references site-specific plant and insect records against national biodiversity databases (Plant-Pollinator Interaction Database, DBIF, GBIF, covering 60,000+ known insect-plant interactions in Great Britain) to generate ranked planting recommendations, interactive biodiversity dashboards, and bespoke reports. Targeted at businesses, developers, local authorities, and landowners requiring BNG-compliant ecological evidence.
• Pollenize Native Wildflower Seed Packets Citizen-science wildflower seed packets formulated with 34 native wildflower species and 5 specialist grass species, designed to benefit 466 pollinator species over the longest flowering period. Each packet covers approximately 1 square metre and is sold directly to consumers, schools, and corporate clients through the e-commerce storefront and bulk co-branded campaigns.
• Biodiversity Surveys Ecological assessment service using the Pollenize Bioblitz methodology and iNaturalist for plant and insect observation collection, with data analysed through Floradex to produce ranked planting recommendations and bespoke biodiversity reports. Delivered on a three-year engagement model aimed at developers, businesses, local authorities, and landowners.
• Wildflower Meadows Bespoke mini-meadow design and installation service that delivers pollinator-friendly wildflower habitats for organisations, covering site consultation, preparation, planting, and interpretation signage. Provided to businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and local authorities across the UK.
• Interactive Rewilding Map Interactive online map where Pollenize seed-packet purchasers and participants log the sowing coordinates of their wildflower seed packets, creating a shared visualisation of collective rewilding efforts across the UK and feeding anonymised aggregate data into biodiversity research.

Quantifiable outcome

• 105 species identified from 450+ observations in 1 hour at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park BioBlitz (vs 118 observations and 85 species over 7.5 years)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Innovation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2025Partnership to host a BioBlitz at Waterden Green with Capgemini corporate volunteers, generating biodiversity baseline data and planned wildflower meadow planting for October 2025. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is one of London's three Innovation Districts facilitating innovation trials.
• SeaSpace (Newquay, Cornwall)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Coastal aparthotel and community space partnered with Pollenize for seasonal biodiversity surveys using Floradex and iNaturalist, resulting in a planting plan with potential uplift of 2,659 new species interactions.
• Capgemini's Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Strategic partnership with Capgemini's Applied Innovation Exchange in London to develop the Nest Sweeper AI-powered smartphone app for Asian Hornet identification. Capgemini has also partnered on a BioBlitz event at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with corporate volunteer participation and ESG alignment, and contributed to the Nest Sweeper technology development.
• Ver Facil Limited (Bodmin)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSpecialist in remote monitoring solutions hired to connect low-power, long-range wireless LoRaWAN network to the Nest Sweeper alert system, enabling devices to operate without internet connection.
• EncordsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSpecialist annotation software provider used to train the Hornet AI model with rectangular bounding boxes on 1,500 images per insect type for Asian Hornet detection.
• Government of Jersey - Alastair Christie BScsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Scientific Officer for invasive species for the Government of Jersey provided invaluable support for multiple research trips to Jersey, a hotspot for Asian Hornet activity, informing Pollenize's understanding of AH behaviour.
• University of PlymouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Floradex software development and biodiversity research. Collaborator on Green Minds rewilding project with Plymouth City Council involving sensors and green spaces. Source of internship programme (Low Carbon Devon).
• iNaturalistsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCitizen science platform used for all bioblitz surveys. Observations contribute to Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). SeaSpace project viewable at inaturalist.org/projects/seaspace-newquay.
• National Marine AquariumsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRooftop apiary installation at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, one of 9 urban apiaries in Pollenize's network across city landmarks.
• Plant-Pollinator Interaction Database / DBIF (data.gov.uk)supportingOthersNational biodiversity databases used by Floradex to cross-reference site-specific plant records. Plant-Pollinator Interaction Database covers all known pollinator-plant interactions on mainland GB; DBIF covers 60,000+ insect-plant interactions with native plants.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)supportingOthersAll Floradex biodiversity survey data contributes to GBIF, the global open-access biodiversity data infrastructure.
• City College PlymouthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for wildflower meadow creation, biodiversity surveys, and commitment to becoming a pesticide-free campus. Students and staff actively participated in land development.
• MVV Environment DevonportsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy from waste plant operator partnered with Pollenize for apiary installation and sustainability engagement at the Devonport facility in Plymouth.
• Green Minds (UIA Initiative / Plymouth City Council)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRewilding programme partnership expanding the Plymouth Apiary Network and designing wildlife verge compositions through Pollenize seed packets. Funded through UIA Cities initiative.
• Plymouth Marine LaboratorysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRooftop apiary installation and pollinator research collaboration at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, part of the urban apiary network.
• Plymouth College of ArtsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on university beehive art project and awareness campaigns for native solitary bees, their habitats, nesting lifecycles, and forage.
• Nurture Group (Chaddlewood)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Chaddlewood Bioboost Project, a community effort to transform the Chaddlewood area into a nature haven with wildflower meadow creation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• iNaturalist: Global citizen science platform used by Pollenize for bioblitz observation recording and AI training data. Functions as a complementary infrastructure partner rather than competitor, with data contributing to GBIF biodiversity infrastructure.
• Earthwatch Europe: Citizen science and environmental engagement charity running biodiversity monitoring programs including Earthworm Watch and similar community-led observation platforms. Comparable engagement model though focused on soil biodiversity rather than pollinators.

Direct peers

• BeeOdiversity: Swiss-based company using bees as bioindicators and providing corporate biodiversity assessments. Comparable technology-enabled approach to biodiversity measurement targeting enterprise ESG and sustainability reporting — similar value proposition to Pollenize's Floradex for businesses.
• Plantlife: UK wild plant conservation charity addressing habitat loss and pollinator decline. Directly comparable to Pollenize's wildflower meadow creation work and native plant advocacy, with national reach and similar engagement model.
• Butterfly Conservation: UK charity conserving butterflies, moths, and their habitats. Overlaps with Pollenize's pollinator surveys, wildflower habitat creation, and citizen science approach (including AI-powered moth trap detection capability).
• Buglife: UK invertebrate conservation charity focused on protecting insects including pollinators. Closely aligned mission to Pollenize's pollinator and biodiversity work, with overlapping policy advocacy, citizen science, and habitat creation programs.
• VespAI: University of Exeter-developed AI system for automated Asian Hornet detection. Directly competes with Pollenize's Nest Sweeper AI identification app and vaporised bait station hardware in the same UK/European invasive species monitoring market.

Emerging players

• NatureMetrics: UK nature-tech company providing biodiversity monitoring using eDNA and AI. Comparable as a technology-enabled biodiversity measurement platform serving enterprise and regulatory use cases, though focused on eDNA rather than pollinator-specific AI.

Broad incumbents

• The Wildlife Trusts: UK-wide federation of 46 wildlife trusts covering broader habitat conservation beyond pollinators. Larger and more established, but overlapping mission in habitat restoration, citizen science engagement, and corporate biodiversity partnerships.
• RSPB: Largest UK nature conservation charity with broader species focus than pollinators. Overlaps with Pollenize on corporate biodiversity partnerships, citizen science programs, and habitat creation though operating at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pollenize
• Instagraminstagram.com/pollenize

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Pollenize CIC