ClimaCell is an American weather technology company that repurposes wireless communication networks for advanced weather forecasting. Using re-purposed wireless communication networks as weather sensors, ClimaCell delivers real-time forecasts to critical industries such as municipalities, sports, and transportation. The company launched publicly with its HyperCast dashboard in April 2017. It has raised over $70M in VC funding. SoftBank invested $7 million in April 2019.
Technology
Traditional weather forecasts rely on public data from government entities. ClimaCell pioneered techniques using existing wireless communication infrastructure and IoT devices to collect real-time weather data. Their observations report conditions closer to the ground than satellite and higher resolution than Doppler weather radar techniques. The aggregated data from the virtual sources ClimaCell uses is processed through their proprietary models, including ClimaCell#cite%20note-13| and Nowcasting. It includes measurements on temperature, wind profiler, and precipitation data. After two years of development with their in-house engineering and meteorological team, ClimaCell’s Hypercast was publicly launched in April 2017. Their processed data and minutely forecasts are available to app developers via their micro-weather API.
Business model
Since Climacell's infrastructure uses existing wireless communication networks, Inc. Magazine commented that “Unencumbered by manufacturing and hardware deployment … ClimaCell could launch their product almost immediately.” The company’s software solutions provide information and insights to aviation, drone flight, construction sites, insurance, sports and outdoor events, and utility services. Clients include JetBlue Airways, Delta, and the New England Patriots.
Social Responsibility
ClimaCell established ClimaCell.org, a new, independent non-profit organization to tackle one of the root causes of global poverty: lack of access to reliable localized weather information. ClimaCell.org's sole focus will be to save and transform lives by bringing MicroWeather Solutions to areas currently underserved by traditional means but need it the most. Beginning in East Africa and working together with local governments, NGOs, and local communities, ClimaCell’s initiative aims to facilitate the rapid and collaborative implementation of novel technological approaches and the adoption of critical weather warnings and insights. To save lives, the initiative’s impact areas will focus on zero hunger, infectious disease eradication, and early warnings. ClimaCell began a roll-out in India as it launched in the United States. The company uses wireless networks to source weather data and predict weather. With no capital investment, ClimaCell’s data analysis and imaging service give consumers access to forecast updates and localized weather maps. The solution may enable farmers, business, and governments to make informed decisions.
