WindBorne raises $37M to make AI weather forecasting profitable

WindBorne Systems, a startup that collects weather data with long-flying balloons and feeds it into an AI forecasting model, has raised $37 million in Series B funding. The round was co-led by Khosla Ventures and Galvanize, with participation from Translink Capital, Lux Capital, and previous investors, valuing the company at $250 million. Founded in 2019, WindBorne uses a network of about 600 balloons at any given time, launching from 20 sites worldwide, to gather data in hard-to-reach areas such as typhoon eyes. The company also deploys aerial sensor packages that become floating buoys in the ocean. WindBorne's proprietary dataset, which it calls a 'planetary nervous system,' enhances its weather model, also ingesting data from global government agencies. Current customers include U.S. government entities: the National Weather Service buys data, and the Air Force and Navy partner on research. The company now aims to grow its commercial business, primarily targeting investment funds that use weather data to predict commodity prices, and will use the funds to expand its go-to-market team. Investors believe AI will lower the cost and complexity of integrating forecasts into business decisions, potentially expanding the private weather market.