Key Takeaways:
- WindBorne Systems raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Khosla Ventures.
- The funding will accelerate engineering efforts, including scaling data collection and advancing AI-based weather forecasting.
- WindBorne’s WeatherMesh model surpasses Google DeepMind’s GraphCast as the most accurate medium-range global forecast model.
- The company’s atmospheric sensing balloons provide significantly more data at a lower cost than traditional methods.
- WindBorne aims to address real-time weather data gaps, which is crucial for mitigating climate change impacts on agriculture.
WindBorne Systems Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting in Agriculture
WindBorne Systems, known for its extensive atmospheric sensing system and highly accurate AI weather model, has announced $15 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Khosla Ventures, which also led WindBorne’s pre-seed round in 2019 and will now serve on the board. Existing investors Footwork VC, Pear VC, and Convective Capital also participated in this round.
Enhancing Weather Forecasting Capabilities
The funding announcement comes shortly after WindBorne unveiled its deep learning-based weather forecast model, WeatherMesh, which has become the most accurate medium-range global forecast model, surpassing Google DeepMind’s GraphCast. WindBorne publishes real-time benchmarks for its model, showcasing its performance.
Government partnerships and contracts, including research and development efforts and data-as-a-service agreements for its atmospheric observations, bolster WindBorne’s revenue. This funding will complement the existing revenue streams and support further advancements.
“Just as the privatization of space catalyzed huge leaps over the past few decades, we’re driving an equally exciting shift in weather technology,” said John Dean, WindBorne co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Collaboration across government, research, and private companies will play an essential role, marrying the best of commercial innovation with global systems that can deliver a tangible, positive impact for every individual.”
Leveraging AI and Advanced Sensing Technology for Agriculture
WindBorne’s approach integrates generative AI and its AI-native tech stack to provide a more intelligent and customizable weather experience. Kai Marshland, WindBorne co-founder and Chief Product Officer, highlighted the potential impact of these technologies. “The ability to cost-effectively deliver these insights across any industry and company presents an enormous opportunity to not only reduce emissions through smarter energy use, but also to help every community better adapt to the extreme weather that’s intensifying in the wake of climate change,” Marshland said.
Sven Strohband, partner at Khosla Ventures, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in weather prediction. “AI is fundamentally changing weather prediction, which hasn’t been meaningfully disrupted since the 1990s, but is essential to better understand and address the impacts of climate change,” Strohband said. “WindBorne’s novel balloon hardware coupled with autonomous flight software enables them to collect data no one else can, training a new generation of AI-based weather models.”
Impact on Agriculture
Accurate weather forecasting is crucial for the agricultural sector, which relies heavily on precise weather data to make informed decisions. WindBorne’s technology can provide farmers with detailed weather predictions, helping them to optimize planting schedules, irrigation practices, and pest control measures. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, reliable forecasts are more important than ever for mitigating crop damage and ensuring food security.
WindBorne’s atmospheric sensing balloons gather significantly more data per dollar compared to traditional weather balloons, providing a more comprehensive and sustainable atmospheric sensing system. Each WindBorne balloon, equipped with proprietary sensors and customized avionics, can navigate for over 40 days and collect critical atmospheric data across various terrains. This capability allows WindBorne to address significant real-time weather data gaps, which traditional weather models have struggled to fill.
Addressing the Climate Challenge
As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, accurate weather forecasting is crucial for mitigating the associated risks. The World Economic Forum has identified extreme weather and weather uncertainty as the biggest risks to businesses over the next decade. WindBorne aims to bridge the gap in atmospheric data and enhance forecast accuracy, thereby helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Scaling and Future Plans
WindBorne plans to use the new funding to scale its real-time data collection efforts, aiming to operate 10,000 balloons concurrently by 2028. This expansion will enhance profile targeting and endurance through improved autonomous flight software. Additionally, WindBorne will continue to advance its global AI-based weather forecast model, increasing the detail and accuracy of its forecasts.
The company is also set to expand its team, particularly in engineering and strategic revenue roles, as it prepares to enter the commercial sector and international markets. WindBorne’s forecast offering has already attracted significant interest from various industries affected by weather, including agriculture, logistics, aviation, utilities, energy grid operations, live events, travel, and insurance.
Image provided by WindBorne Systems
