Ecodetect, an Anglesey-based company specialising in AI-driven marine monitoring for offshore infrastructure, has secured a £490,000 equity investment to help scale its technology, create new jobs and support a new phase of growth in tandem with the UK’s fast-expanding renewable energy sector.
The funding round includes £245,000 from a six-strong angel syndicate led by Bobby Williams, a member of the M-SParc Angel Network, which also included £25,000 from climate-focused investor OnePlanet Capital. This has been matched by another £245,000 from the Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund, managed by the Development Bank of Wales.
The equity investment will help the business strengthen its team over the next six months, with four new jobs created, and increase its ability to deliver its technology at scale as offshore and floating renewable energy projects expand.
Based at M-SParc on Anglesey, Ecodetect has developed an advanced eco-detection toolkit that combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with specialist programming to automatically identify and record wildlife interactions with marine infrastructure using data captured by underwater imaging sensors. Its core customers are renewable energy developers, who must monitor and report environmental impacts as part of project licensing and compliance requirements.
The company says the latest investment will allow it to expand in parallel with the wider renewable energy market, where developers are moving from small numbers of turbines to larger-scale installations that generate large volumes of environmental monitoring data. The funding will also support further technology development, including marine communication systems designed to improve how data is transmitted, processed and analysed.
Founded and led by managing director Dr David Gold, Ecodetect brings together three key areas of expertise: offshore and renewable energy, marine wildlife, and advanced technology including AI.
Dr Gold has a background in the energy sector and has built the business around the goal of helping renewable energy developers meet environmental obligations more efficiently while supporting marine conservation. The wider team combines technical, scientific and commercial capability, with the business already recognised for eco-tech innovation in the UK and Europe.
The company is targeting growth in offshore wind, floating wind and tidal energy, including opportunities emerging in Welsh waters. It also sees wider applications for its marine monitoring technology across other sectors including aquaculture, fishing and broader marine infrastructure.
Dr David Gold, founder and managing director of Ecodetect, said:
“This investment gives us the platform to grow the team, strengthen our technology and make sure we are ready to support the rapid expansion of offshore and floating renewables. There is huge momentum building in the sector and a clear need for robust, scalable monitoring solutions that can keep pace with that growth.
“We are proud to be building this business in North Wales. We want to create high-quality local jobs, contribute to the green economy and develop technology here in Wales that can be deployed internationally.”
Bobby Williams, lead investor, said:
“Ecodetect is working at the intersection of AI, marine science and renewable energy at exactly the right time. The business has developed a compelling solution to a real and growing challenge for offshore developers, and David has built a company with strong technical foundations and clear market relevance.
“I’m pleased to be joining the board and supporting the next stage of the company’s growth as it scales its capability and builds its presence in a sector with significant long-term potential.”
Tom Preene, Fund Manager for the Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund, said:
“Ecodetect is a strong example of the kind of innovative Welsh business attracting investment from angel investors that the Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund is designed to support. The company is developing specialist technology in a sector with clear global demand, while also creating skilled jobs and contributing to the growth of Wales’ green economy.
“This investment also shows the value of bringing together experienced angel investors and public capital to help ambitious businesses build the capacity they need to scale.”
Pryderi ap Rhisiart, M-SParc’s Managing Director, added:
“Ecodetect’s success reflects the strength of the innovation ecosystem we are continuing to build at M-SParc. From early support through to investment, scale-up and global opportunity, this is a great example of how ambitious businesses can grow here on Anglesey. It’s particularly encouraging to see connections through our wider network, including angel investors, playing a role in this journey. Supporting companies like Ecodetect to scale from North Wales while creating high-value local jobs is exactly what we are here to do.”
The new roles are expected to be created over the next six months, with the business looking to recruit from the local area wherever possible as it builds its capability in marine monitoring, AI and offshore renewables.
The £12.5 million Wales Angel Co-Investment Fund provides equity from £25,000 to £350,000. It is available to syndicates of investors and fixed groups seeking to co-invest in Wales based SMEs.
