Weather prediction plays a crucial role in various industries, from aviation to agriculture, impacting economic decisions and safety measures. Skyfora, a Helsinki-based company specializing in AI-driven weather intelligence, has raised €4 million in a funding round to develop its forecasting technology. The company aims to improve climate resilience by utilizing existing telecommunications infrastructure to gather atmospheric data. With increasing concerns over extreme weather events, advancements in meteorological technology are gaining attention from investors looking for scalable solutions.
Skyfora previously received funding from the European Space Agency, the EIC Accelerator, and Business Finland, demonstrating ongoing interest in its weather solutions. Past reports highlighted Skyfora’s research on AI-integrated forecasting methods, emphasizing data collection from mobile networks. Compared to earlier stages, the company has now expanded its focus on scaling its Telecom GNSS Meteorology solution with industry collaborations. This shift indicates a broader application of its technology beyond initial testing phases.
How does Skyfora’s technology work?
Skyfora repurposes existing telecom networks as weather sensors, allowing for the collection of large-scale atmospheric data without additional infrastructure investment. This approach provides continuous, high-resolution weather data, which can enhance forecasting accuracy across multiple industries. The company aims to bridge observation gaps in meteorology by leveraging AI models trained on first-party datasets.
Fredrik Borgström, CEO of Skyfora, stated,
“As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, precise forecasting is more critical than ever. Our technology fills critical observation gaps, and it provides a continuous flow of high-resolution data, which is ‘superfood’ for AI models while enabling MNOs to monetise their infrastructure in a completely new way.”
What do investors expect from this funding?
The funding round was led by Danish VC firm Ugly Duckling Ventures and Dutch-based LUMO Labs, with participation from Voima Ventures and the EIC Fund. Investors see Skyfora’s work as aligning with their broader goals of supporting AI-driven climate solutions and sustainable urban development. The ability to generate weather data at scale using existing telecom networks was a key factor in securing this investment.
Linn-Cecilie Linnemann, Partner at LUMO Labs, mentioned,
“Skyfora’s ability to provide critical weather data is a perfect fit with LUMO Labs’ focus on climate action and sustainable cities. As climate change intensifies, reliable weather intelligence becomes increasingly crucial for urban resilience.”
Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board, also commented,
“We are delighted with the EIC Fund’s investment in Skyfora, an innovative company developing a next-generation weather intelligence. We believe in the potential of their technology that can save lives and mitigate economic disruptions and financial risks.”
Skyfora plans to use the funds to refine its AI-powered meteorological models and expand its presence in key markets. By integrating its solution with telecom networks, the company aims to improve forecasting accuracy for areas prone to extreme weather conditions. The funding will also support partnerships with industries that rely on meteorological data, such as insurance, disaster response, and aviation.
The growing demand for accurate weather predictions is driving interest in AI-enhanced forecasting technologies. By converting telecom infrastructure into weather monitoring systems, Skyfora introduces a method that could supplement traditional forecasting tools. However, the effectiveness of this approach will depend on how well the AI models interpret the data collected. If successful, such solutions could provide an additional layer of meteorological insights without requiring extensive new infrastructure.
