Artificial Intelligence and Weather Balloons: WindBorne Raises $37 Million

Recent advances in artificial intelligence are transforming meteorology. New deep-learning technologies developed with large language models enable weather models to run on ordinary laptops instead of extremely powerful supercomputers. TechCrunch reports that WindBorne Systems, an accelerator startup aiming to turn weather forecasting into a more profitable business using these capabilities, raised $37 million in a Series B round. According to TechCrunch.com this was reported.

The funding round was led by Khosla Ventures and Galvanize, with participation from TransLink Capital, Lux Capital and previous investors. As a result, the startup’s total valuation reached $250 million. Founded in 2019, the company initially planned to collect unique data using low-cost atmospheric sensors and long-endurance weather balloons.

Over the past four years, the development of artificial intelligence-based weather forecasting models has enabled the company to create its own forecasts. Previously, this work was out of reach for many private companies because of the extremely expensive supercomputers required to simulate the atmosphere. Today, WindBorne has 20 launch sites worldwide and keeps around 600 balloons in the sky at any given time. They collect data even from hard-to-reach areas, such as the center of a typhoon.

Global Data Network and Technological Advantage

Company CEO Jon Dean says they recently began testing atmospheric sensors that descend into the ocean and continue taking measurements as floating buoys. The proprietary database created through this system, known as the “planetary nervous system,” strengthens the company’s forecasting model. Data from government agencies around the world is also incorporated into the model.

“We showed that adding balloons to forecasts improves accuracy and that each data point is worth far more than satellite data,” says Jon Dean. This approach reduced the demand signal for venture investors and drove revenue growth.

Future Plans and the Private Sector

The company’s main customers are currently government agencies. In particular, the US National Weather Service purchases WindBorne’s data, while the Air Force and Navy provide funding through research partnerships. The company is also developing forecasting models that can operate aboard ships with limited connectivity.

Going forward, the company is focusing on the commercial market, particularly investment funds that use weather data to forecast commodity prices and business performance. The new funding will be used to increase computing capacity, shift the balloon network’s satellite communications to a radio communications network, and build a dedicated team to expand its private-sector customer base.