Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 103 | Page 68

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology

Aramco Ventures supports funding for AI-drone enabled RestorationOS from Dendra Systems

Dendra Systems , a provider in technology-driven ecological restoration , announces the successful closure of its Series B funding round , raising $ 15.76 million , £ 12.5 million to accelerate its mission of advancing global ecosystem restoration efforts .

The round was led by climate technology investor , Zouk Capital , with significant participation from new investor Aramco Ventures and existing investor Airbus Ventures . Additional contributions came from existing investor Understorey Capital and several new investors including Helium-3 Ventures .
Dr Susan Graham , CEO Dendra Systems
Dendra is applying its market-RestorationOS technology and ecological expertise to enabling customers such as Environment Agency Abu Dhabi , Rio Tinto , Glencore , Liontown , BHP , in achieving their environmental objectives . Currently managing over 70,000 hectares , Dendra is setting new standards in nature restoration , with demonstrated capabilities in mining , infrastructure , mangrove and arid ecosystem restoration .
The fresh injection of capital will be directed towards Dendra Systems ' expansion into new geographical markets and the continuous enhancement of its pioneering AI-enabled ecology platform .
These efforts aim to address the urgent need for large scale and efficient restoration solutions in the face of escalating environmental challenges within the mining sector and other industries critical to the energy transition .
Drones used for seeding mangroves in UAE
Aramco Ventures is the corporate venturing arm of Aramco , the world ’ s fully integrated energy and chemical enterprise . Headquartered in Dhahran with offices in North America , Europe and Asia , Aramco Ventures ’ strategic venturing programmes invest globally in start-up and high growth companies with technologies of strategic importance to its parent company , Aramco ,.
Founded in 2014 and based in Oxford , Dendra Systems employs 87 dedicated professionals across the UAE , UK , Australia , and US . The company provides an end-toend RestorationOS solution to restore nature , powered by high-resolution data capture and drone-based seeding , and a comprehensive AI-enabled ecosystem insights platform .
Dendra ' s innovative approach is able to achieve targeted , rapid deployment of restoration efforts at scale , in addition to ongoing monitoring , management and reporting for the duration of multi-year projects .
Dr Susan Graham , CEO Dendra Systems : " This funding will enable us to bring our AI-driven restoration solutions to more ecosystems around the world , helping to reverse biodiversity loss and mitigate the effects of climate change . Our RestorationOSTM technology and approach represent a game-changing opportunity for environmental monitoring and restoration , and we are excited to be able to double down on our efforts to empower environmental teams to reverse these global trends ." p
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