One of their key projects is an automated system for identifying and tracking Asian hornets. These invasive predators have caused significant damage to honeybee populations across Europe, threatening pollination and the ecosystems that rely on them. Using artificial intelligence and geolocation technology, the system can quickly and accurately locate hornet nests. This project is a game-changer, cutting the time needed to locate nests, allowing for faster action to protect local wildlife.
Another key project is FloraDex, a tool designed to help people monitor and enhance local biodiversity. By providing easy-to-use survey kits and seed packets, the company empowers schools, community groups, and councils to take practical steps to improve ecosystems. This initiative is about more than data; it’s about inspiring people to connect with and care for the natural world around them.
Creating solutions like these hasn’t been easy. Developing the Asian hornet detection system required balancing technical accuracy with practical use in the field. Similarly, FloraDex needed to be accessible and effective for a broad range of users, from conservation experts to schoolchildren.
Scaling up the company’s projects also posed challenges. Securing funding, navigating market opportunities, and ensuring the tools reached the right audience all required careful planning and collaboration.
STRIDE has been a key partner for the Far Out Thinking Company, helping them refine their ideas and bring them to life. Through strategic workshops, STRIDE worked with the team to define their goals and map out how to achieve them. These sessions focused on understanding their market, identifying potential customers, and ensuring their projects were both impactful and sustainable.
To help the company grow, STRIDE supported a successful bid for Innovate UK’s Bridge AI Programme, securing over £100,000 in funding. This funding allowed the company to improve their technology, particularly the AI used in their hornet detection system. STRIDE also connected the business with resources at the University of Plymouth, giving them access to advanced tools and research methods to enhance their work.
With STRIDE’s support, the Far Out Thinking Company has turned ambitious ideas into practical solutions. Their Asian hornet detection system is set to revolutionise how invasive species are managed, while FloraDex is helping people improve biodiversity in their local areas.
The company has also built stronger connections with funders, researchers, and the community, setting the stage for future growth. Their work isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about inspiring people to care for the environment and inspire them to protect it.
The Far Out Thinking Company shows how innovation, science, and community action can come together to make a difference. With their tools and technologies already having an impact, they are well-positioned to keep driving positive change for biodiversity and sustainability in the years to come.