About us

We’re rethinking plant records through user-centred design and technology

We believe technology should feel effortless, inspire new possibilities, and make it easier for botanical collection holders to achieve their goals in the vital work they do for people and the planet.

Born out of nearly two decades of experience supporting botanic gardens, Hortis was launched in 2021 by Botanical Software to deliver a new kind of plant collection platform – one that goes beyond the traditional idea of a plant records system. By putting the needs of the botanical community at the heart of our design, we’re helping gardens of all sizes harness the power of their data.

In December 2022, Botanical Software joined forces with Species360 to expand their shared mission: supporting global species conservation across flora and fauna. Together, we explored new ways to connect plant and animal data for the benefit of the planet.

In September 2025, Botanical Software resumed responsibility for the development and support of Hortis, while continuing to collaborate closely with Species360 as a partner in conservation. This transition allows us to focus even more on serving botanical gardens and advancing innovation for plant records.

Our vision is simple: to empower gardens with the tools they need to manage their collections with confidence and contribute to global biodiversity conservation.

Species360 team photo
Say hello

Meet our team

We’re a product-focused team dedicated to building better analytical tools for horticulture teams. We’re a friendly bunch — come and say hi : )

Thumbnail
Havard Ostgaard
Chief Curator
Founder of Botanical Software and Hortis. Enjoys the outdoors and his dachshunds as often as he can.
Thumbnail
Jamie Penn
Growth Curator
Business development specialist in gardens and plant records. Usually tending chickens in the garden or exploring with two golden retrievers.
Thumbnail
Miles Crighton
Technical Lead & Senior Software Engineer
Product-focused engineer with a penchant for prioritisation. Often found tinkering with designs in Figma.