About – Buddi

2004

Following a series of investments and development over an initial three-year period, the first product was launched; a small device that could be carried on a person to track their location. The Buddi product was made available online to an open marketplace. This device was purchased quickly by authorities with a responsibility for delivering adult social care. The Company’s customer base grew rapidly to include more than 100 local authorities and NHS organisations. They were seeking a high-quality and reliable product to enable people, who were facing cognitive and/or physical decline, to live independently.

By monitoring the online demand for the product, Buddi identified that a large number of customers had purchased the device as a monitoring tool to locate elderly relatives, as well as to provide reassurance against the risks of a fall at home: a major cause of hospitalisation and consequentially a loss of independence. Over subsequent years, several local authorities started to recommend the product as an affordable alternative to placing elderly family members in residential care, particularly where monitoring movements had become the primary issue.

2009

The patients under this pilot were individuals who had been sanctioned to a mental health institution following a serious crime. Under European law, the patients were obliged to begin rehabilitation into the community after a set period of time. At the time, the most apparent solution was to utilise the existing monitoring technology previously procured by the Ministry of Justice. However, this technology was basic and rudimentary, lacking location tracking capabilities and could easily be removed using basic tools such as scissors.

It was then that Buddi created the first version of its “Smart Tag”, which could be securely fitted to the person and would provide live location tracking. The twelve-month pilot resulted in a strong positive response from clinicians, who recognised the rehabilitative benefits, coupled with the reduction of risk and increased flexibility. The Group continues to supply updated versions of this solution to several mental health hospitals across the UK.

2010

The Company’s entry into the criminal justice market came in 2010, following a pilot with a UK police force, which had been using Buddi products to safely support victims of domestic violence, victim protection and witness protection. The UK police force was eager to explore whether an application of Buddi’s technology could provide evidence that Electronic Monitoring would support rehabilitation whilst reducing rates in recidivism.

This generated both economic and social benefits, with reduced police time and resources spent eliminating false enquiries, and by enabling any offender to avoid unnecessary contact from the authorities. An independent evaluation by NESTA demonstrated the reduction in re-offending of the individuals taking part, as well as the positive impact on the local community through less crime. The Company’s technology is now used within the mainstream business of 80% of UK police forces.

2012

Buddi was awarded a high profile national pilot GPS programme, the first of its kind in Asia Pacific. Following the success of this programme, Buddi began to bid for larger national contracts, such as the UK Ministry of Justice contract in 2012. At that time, the Company’s ability to win this national contract was limited given the perceived risk of awarding a national contract to a smaller company. Despite its small size, the Company was later awarded “Preferred Bidder” status for that contract.

2014

A significant government contract was won for an initial five-year period in Asia Pacific. The technology was delivered to a major government customer, the first government customer in Buddi’s history. Buddi maintains its long-standing provision of equipment and services to the customer.

2015

Buddi was selected through a competitive tender to deliver a comprehensive electronic monitoring solution for an Asia Pacific customer’s first-ever national Electronic Monitoring Programme. From a standing start, Buddi implemented the full solution that grew to multiple 1000’s of devices.

2016

Buddi proudly supported and supplied juvenile justice and rehabilitation initiatives in the United States. It was for this contract that Buddi developed a custom digital tool to simplify data entry and automate field operations—reducing administrative time and improving service efficiency. This innovation has significantly enhanced day-to-day operations for justice professionals today.

2017

Buddi proudly delivered London’s first fully outsourced GPS electronic monitoring programmes, designed to monitor high-risk individuals.

2018

Buddi successfully delivered its first statewide domestic violence monitoring programme in Asia Pacific, providing technology to support both the tracking of individuals under supervision, and mobile safety devices for those at risk. The programme delivered strong outcomes and measurable success, and became the focus of academic evaluations.

2019

As a result of the scheme’s success, the customer renewed their contract with the Company through a competitive bid process, awarding a new 12-year agreement. The Company has continued to invest in both people and its technology platform, attracting a highly experienced management team with deep sector knowledge. Continued success in the criminal justice sector has delivered new contract wins to serve further local government regions in the same country, alongside some key new government customers from Europe and across the Americas. This was also the year Buddi launched its first hybrid RF solution, maximising the interchangeability between RF and GPS technologies.

2020

Following the expansions into new markets in 2019, the company was honoured with this prestigious award – one of the highest official recognitions for UK businesses. This award celebrates outstanding achievement in international growth, innovation, and commercial success.

The recognition marked a milestone in Buddi’s journey, reflecting the company’s commitment to delivering impactful electronic monitoring solutions worldwide.

2021

In a landmark achievement, Buddi successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market under the ticker AIM:BIG. The listing was not only the second largest AIM IPO of the year, but also ranked as the fifth largest in AIM’s history—a testament to the company’s strong market position, investor confidence, and long-term growth potential.

This was also the year that Buddi was entrusted with the largest national rollout of electronic monitoring technology in Asia Pacifics’s history. This initiative marked the country’s first use of a fully tailored solution for electronic monitoring.

2022

As part of the UK Ministry of Justice’s Electronic Monitoring Future Services Programme, a discreet and rights-respecting solution was required to monitor low-risk Foreign National Offenders in the community. Buddi was selected for its compliance, usability, and adaptability.

2023

Buddi introduced to the market, The Alco Tag, a revolutionary 2-in-1 transdermal alcohol monitoring device—the first of its kind globally. Designed to deliver continuous, non-invasive alcohol detection with precision and discretion, the Alco Tag sets a new standard in offender management and public safety technology, which is now in use worldwide.