The Missing Connection
"If children don't grow up knowing about nature, they won't understand it. And if they don't understand it, they won't protect it."— Sir David Attenborough
Picture This Scenario
You're exploring stunning landscapes, birds sing overhead, unique creatures scurry past. The scenery is breathtaking, but you're seeing the stage without knowing the actors.
That's exactly the gap we're closing. Here's how it all began...
Founder's Journey
From childhood wonder to conservation mission
Where It All Began
Boarding school days - Warwick Tarboton third from the right
Where the passion began in South Africa
My grandfather's love for birding began during his boarding school days in South Africa, where he befriended a fellow student named Warwick. Together, they would painstakingly move photography hides closer to ground-nesting birds day by day - all in the era before telephoto lenses.
Their passion was nurtured by an encouraging headmaster who gifted my grandfather his first field guide, "Robert's Birds of SA," complete with a personal inscription.
Warwick went on to become one of South Africa's most respected birders and a leading authority on dragonflies. That early friendship, built around a shared love of wildlife, sparked a lifelong passion that would eventually be passed down through our family.
Years later, my mother introduced me to the world my grandfather had discovered, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Spark
At 10 years old, everything clicked. The "twitch to spot 'em all" began as my mother and I went on countless adventures across Australia and Southern Africa. I started my first life list and began keeping detailed photo records of every species we encountered. The spark has continued ever since - having seen over 650 species in Southern Africa and 550 in Australia.
Adventures Together
My mother became my twitching partner. As an art teacher, we spent school breaks travelling to every city in Australia in search of new species. Together we explored new territories, shared the excitement of rare sightings, and built lasting memories through our shared passion for wildlife discovery.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Built a successful business at 19 retailing spiders, learning valuable lessons about running a company and connecting with customers.
Building Technical Skills
Graduating in 2024 with Software Engineering (data and analytics submajor) and Finance from UTS, I was ready to put my skills to the test. The technical foundation was finally in place to bridge my passion for wildlife with cutting-edge technology.
Meeting Rowan
Meeting Rowan was a turning point - finding someone who shared the same passion for birds and wildlife conservation.
When Everything Crystallised
After a decade chasing birds with binoculars and camera, a friend's story crystallised everything for me:
He watched a group of kids at the park, phones out, electric with excitement as they hunted Pokémon. Right above them sat a massive Powerful Owl—a real apex predator they couldn't see.
When he pointed it out, their gaming excitement instantly became genuine wonder. Same energy, same thrill—but real.
This moment encapsulates everything we are aiming for.
The Mission
Now I'm merging my tech skills, business experience, and wildlife obsession into Wingmate—transforming how people connect with nature, one species at a time.
Our Impact
Conservation Through Connection
Our Philosophy
- Make wildlife watching accessible to everyone
- Gamify nature to create lasting engagement
- Turn casual observers into conservation advocates
- Support local conservation with 10% of profits
The Vision
Every subscription, every feature unlock, every species identification contributes to protecting the birds we love. We're not just building an app - we're building a movement.
United by Purpose
Meet the team behind Wingmate
Brandon Chapman
Founder
Wildlife enthusiast turned tech entrepreneur. Merging a lifetime of nature experience with cutting-edge technology.
Rowan
Creative Director & Conservation Lead
Bringing hands-on conservation experience from the field to the app.
Your Adventure Matters
Ready to turn your next outdoor adventure into a conservation story?
Explore
Download Wingmate and start your collection
Share
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