Nature tech's budding alliance

Until now, biodiversity monitoring has been slow, expensive, and reliant on manual fieldwork. This collaboration aims to change that.

Xylo Systems and EnviroDNA are two startups working together to combine artificial intelligence (AI) with environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis in a bid to make biodiversity reporting a faster, cheaper and more scalable process – similar to carbon reporting.

In the process, they also hope to position Australia as a global leader in nature tech. Xylo Systems uses AI to turn complex biodiversity data into clear, actionable insights. Businesses can assess their biodiversity footprint, track changes over time, and align with global reporting frameworks.

EnviroDNA specialises in detecting species through eDNA – the traces of genetic material left behind in soil, water, and air – offering a non-invasive, rapid, and comprehensive way to measure biodiversity.

By feeding eDNA insights directly into Xylo's AI-driven platform, the companies say, businesses can more quickly assess environmental risks, monitor biodiversity trends, and meet regulatory requirements without the burden of expensive and time-consuming fieldwork.

“With our world-leading biodiversity expertise, we have a unique opportunity to become a nature-tech powerhouse.”

Xylo Systems was founded in 2020 by entrepreneur and scientist Camille Goldstone-Henry and Jada Gounder.

“We’re breaking down the barriers that have held businesses back from taking real action on biodiversity,” said Goldstone-Henry.

“This partnership changes everything. Companies can now track and improve their biodiversity impact with precision, speed, and scale. It’s a huge leap forward for companies and for the planet.”

EnviroDNA was founded by Dr Andrew Weeks and Dr Paul Umina in 2016. The company's CEO Jim Stuart said, "By ground-truthing AI systems with eDNA, organisations can make smarter, nature-informed decisions faster.

"As leaders in the field of eDNA, we are committed to shaping a future where human impacts are sustainably managed. Our partnership with Xylo Systems represents a significant and exciting step toward realising that vision."

A timely tie-up

The timing of this partnership comes as biodiversity becomes a key focus in sustainability reporting alongside carbon emissions, with businesses under increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to disclose and mitigate their impact.

Australia's recent National Ecosystem Accounts, released last month, estimated that the country’s ecosystems contribute at least A$85 billion to the nation's economic well-being.

The Accounts aim to report against Australia’s global commitments, such as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, and provide data to inform a range of national policies and reporting, including for business.

Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has introduced stricter guidelines on sustainability claims, meaning companies must back up their environmental commitments with credible data or risk legal and reputational consequences.

Xylo and EnviroDNA said they were already rolling their combined offering out to property and infrastructure companies. “This partnership is a homegrown success story, proving that Australia is not just following the global sustainability agenda, but helping shape it,” they said.

“With our world-leading biodiversity expertise, we have a unique opportunity to become a nature-tech powerhouse.”