FaunaPhotonics

About FaunaPhotonics

FaunaPhotonics, founded in 2014, provides a data-driven solution for biodiversity monitoring, primarily serving the agriculture, environmental, and public health sectors. The company originated as a spin-out from Lund University Laser Centre. It was founded by Frederik Taarnhøj. The company has raised a total of $6.38 million over six funding rounds from investors including Innovationsfonden, John Deere, and Christian Nielsen's Fund.

The core of FaunaPhotonics' offering is its proprietary in-field sensor technology combined with an AI and machine learning data platform. The solar-powered sensors, such as the eVolito system, operate continuously to detect flying insects by registering disruptions in the sky-to-ground electrical field and analyzing their wingbeat frequencies. This non-invasive method gathers real-time data on insect abundance, activity, and diversity, which serves as a key indicator of ecosystem health. The data is uploaded to a cloud-based customer portal, providing clients with actionable insights for biodiversity impact reporting, tracking sustainability initiatives, and ensuring compliance with standards like CSRD and TNFD.

The business model is centered on a B2B data subscription service. The process begins with a remote habitat assessment conducted by staff biologists to determine the optimal sensor placement and project design for a client's needs. FaunaPhotonics then provides an end-to-end solution that includes sensor installation, continuous data collection, and access to the analytics platform. This allows companies in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, and construction to establish biodiversity baselines, benchmark against other habitats, and monitor the impact of their operations and sustainability efforts over time.