AN AWARD-WINNING start-up is making waves in the marine sector.
Ecodetect, based at M-SParc in Gaerwen, Anglesey, is celebrating its first anniversary, marking a year of impressive milestones and global recognition in the clean technology arena.
Founded by Dr David Gold, a former geologist and oil and gas professional turned environmental entrepreneur, the company develops AI-powered automated wildlife detection systems for marine renewable energy developers.
These systems help safeguard marine life while cutting down the time and cost required for monitoring and permitting.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, David, originally from Hertford and now living in Denbighshire, said: “Starting Ecodetect was a leap, but the right one.
“It came at a pivotal moment in my life – the birth of my son – and what we are doing here isn’t just for business; it’s for his future, and for future generations.”
After a decade in the oil and gas industry, David moved into renewables, recognising an urgent need for more effective environmental monitoring solutions.
“There was a real gap in the market, and I kept hearing the same frustrations from people in the sector, that data collection and analysis was slow and costly and delaying vital projects. That’s where Ecodetect comes in,” said David.
In its first year, the firm has already made huge strides, winning ‘North Wales Start-Up of the Year’ and reaching the UK finals of the ‘CleanTech Start-Up of the Year’ and ClimateLaunchpad competitions.
Their technology was also profiled in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s OES-Environmental State of the Science report and Pioneers Post’s Earth Fixers article.
“The response has been phenomenal, we’ve built a fantastic team, kicked off major projects in floating offshore wind and marine ecosystems, and begun assembling what I believe is the future of sub-aquatic monitoring,” said David.
“We’re now seeking investment to scale up and meet demand at home and on the international stage.”
Ecodetect’s solutions dramatically speed up the environmental consent process by combining underwater video cameras and AI-driven recognition to detect marine organisms – everything from whales and birds to plankton and plant life – within minutes.
They also offer sonic deterrents to protect marine life from approaching infrastructure.
“There’s a legal requirement for developers to collect this data, and it can take months to analyse,” said David.
“We can cut that to hours or even minutes, saving companies time, money, and headaches while protecting the very ecosystems they depend on, so we hope to forge new partnerships with business and industry in the months ahead – now is the time to join us.”
He added: “The versatile technology has applications beyond offshore renewable energy, including for fisheries, shipping, and oil and gas decommissioning.
“We want to deploy our systems in as many places where we can protect and monitor biodiversity as possible. If your project has a marine monitoring requirement then we want to work with you, so do get in touch.”
Looking ahead, Ecodetect plans to expand across the UK and overseas, while contributing to Wales’s growing green economy by partnering with institutions like Bangor University and We Mind The Gap to train and retain local talent.
David added: “Laying down roots in Wales has been one of the best decisions of my life. This region is thriving, and we’re proud to be part of its clean energy future.”
