Funding Boost for Early Wildfire Response System
Dryad Networks, based in Berlin, has secured funds to push forward its wildfire prevention efforts with cutting-edge technology.
Financial Backing Fuels Progress
They’ve been granted €3.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund through Brandenburg’s Investitionsbank to create a drone system named ‘Florian’ for tackling fires right when they start. Adding to this, Dryad Networks received €2.5 million from First Imagine!, a climate-focused investor, rounding up their April financing to €8.9 million. This funding will help expand the Silvanet detection platform and further the development of Florian. Silvanet uses AI and solar sensors to catch early signs of wildfires.
The company’s CEO, Carsten Brinkschulte, shared his excitement: “We are thrilled to receive this substantial funding from ILB, which will significantly advance our ‘Florian’ project,” he said. “Combining this with the new investment from First Imagine Ventures, we are well-positioned to revolutionize wildfire management. Our vision is not only to detect wildfires at their earliest stages but also to suppress them quickly, minimizing damage to communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure.”
Sometimes people forget how important it is to stop problems before they grow big.
Introducing the Florian Project
The ‘Florian’ system, a new venture by Dryad, pairs with Silvanet to combat fires. Using drones with high-tech gear like acoustic wave suppression, Florian aims to put out fires before they spread. These drones stay ready in fire-prone areas, acting fast when needed. Together, Silvanet’s early alerts and Florian’s quick action aim to cut down wildfire destruction.
Backing from the Industry
Boris Dorin from First Imagine! believes in Dryad’s approach. “Dryad’s groundbreaking approach to wildfire detection and suppression is exactly the type of transformative technology we seek to support. As wildfires grow in intensity and frequency due to climate change, the need for scalable, proactive solutions has never been more urgent. We are excited to partner with Dryad Networks in their mission to protect critical ecosystems and build a more resilient, sustainable future.”
Dryad being a finalist in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition underscores the need for these smart solutions. With wildfires causing huge losses worldwide, innovative methods like Dryad’s are crucial. The company is focused on growing its sensor network and forming partnerships to improve global wildfire management.
Silvanet’s Global Presence
Silvanet, Dryad’s main product, uses solar-powered sensors to spot early wildfire indicators. It’s already active in over 20 countries across multiple continents, with over 20,000 units in use. Dryad plans to keep expanding this network to save forests and cut CO2 emissions by 2030.
For more details, visit Dryad Networks or First Imagine!.
