A global biodiversity crisis is unfolding, with freshwater species populations declining 85% since 1970. Measuring this loss has been slow and expensive, relying on traditional field surveys.
NatureMetrics is changing that with environmental DNA, or eDNA. This genetic material is shed by all living organisms into their surroundings. The company’s method is deliberately simple: anyone can collect a water sample using their kit, even a five-year-old, as their CEO Dimple Patel has demonstrated.
Back in the lab, DNA sequencing identifies every species present in the sample. The process is non-invasive, faster, and cheaper than traditional methods. NatureMetrics now operates the world's largest commercial eDNA lab network across 116 countries.
This year, the company reached a major milestone, having surveyed 10% of the planet’s surface using eDNA. The data is fed into a platform that tracks ecosystem health over time, showing whether conservation efforts are working.
Their clients range from the World Wildlife Fund to major corporations in mining, energy, and agriculture. The goal is to make biodiversity data 'decision-ready' for businesses.
The company’s work has gained credibility through recognition as a finalist for the Earthshot Prize. CEO Dimple Patel's ultimate ambition is to put nature on corporate balance sheets, giving it a spot in the boardroom.