How it all started…
In 2016, deep in the heart of Laos, Jan-Kees was in a remote hut when he heard a gunshot followed by a boat. His first thought: poachers. And he quickly realised that local rangers were not equipped to detect or catch them — unlike police forces back home. That moment sparked the idea for Sensing Clues.
Determined to make a difference, Jan-Kees knew he couldn’t do it alone. He built a network of partners with diverse expertise. Even without funding, companies like MarkLogic, PoolParty, and DIKW immediately joined the cause — and together, they began developing the platform.
In 2017, the Sensing Clues Foundation was founded. Since then, the journey has grown beyond expectations. With a dedicated team and long-standing contributors like Hugo, Geert, and Emil, Sensing Clues today supports nearly 600 ranger teams across 15 countries and 4 continents — protecting nearly 19 million hectares of nature.
But what truly sets Sensing Clues apart goes beyond technology:
Sensing Clues is a European non-profit built under EU law, ensuring conservation data is protected under the world’s strictest laws and stays outside external jurisdiction.
Organisations stay fully in control, with their own governance, transparent data structures, and no vendor lock-in or dependency on a single provider.
Personal support is at the core of our approach, guiding organisations from onboarding to daily use — including optional on-site trainings and tailor-made coaching services.
As a non-profit, Sensing Clues operates transparently, offering free software and hosting, clear support pricing, and no hidden costs or commercial upselling.
About our Founder, Jan-Kees Schakel
Jan-Kees is a nature conservation expert with a Masters in Natural Resources Management. After 15 years of consultancy work and project management across Asia, Africa and Latin America, he worked for a decade with the Dutch national police as a researcher and innovation specialist, focusing on high-risk and fast-response operations. During that period he earned a Master in Business Information Systems and a PhD in Organisation Science. With Sensing Clues and his team, he brings these expertises together to leverage cutting-edge technologies for nature conservation.
