Martin Fengler possesses extensive knowledge in the field of weather forecasting. After obtaining his Ph.D. in mathematics with a focus on numerical weather prediction, he worked for Meteomedia AG, a network of weather stations in Switzerland and Germany. However, his perspective on weather forecasting shifted when he began pursuing his pilot’s license in 2011.
Fengler’s experience as a user of weather forecasts brought a new understanding compared to his previous work as a mathematician focused on minimizing errors in predictions. The practical limitations he faced, such as being unable to fly due to fog or inaccurate forecasts, significantly influenced his approach.
In 2012, Fengler founded Meteomatics in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The company utilizes data from over 110 sources and autonomous weather drones to provide updated weather forecasts every hour, with precision down to one square kilometer.
Meteomatics consolidates weather data from various sources into a unified platform, offering an API for customers to utilize the data according to their needs, including integrating their own AI algorithms. This standardized access to weather data simplifies the process for users and is a significant achievement for the company.
In contrast to weather companies primarily serving the media industry, Meteomatics focuses on enterprises and commercial sectors. Fengler emphasizes the diverse applications of weather data for industries beyond traditional media use cases.
Currently serving over 600 customers, including prominent companies like Tesla, CVS Health, and Swiss Re, Meteomatics caters to diverse enterprise needs related to weather data. The company’s innovative approach to utilizing weather information aligns with the growing demand for accurate data due to the increasing impact of climate change.
With a recent $22 million Series C funding round led by Armira Growth, Meteomatics plans to expand its operations in the U.S. and enhance its technological capabilities. The company’s goal is to deliver precise weather forecasts down to a one-square kilometer resolution globally in the near future.
Fengler envisions a comprehensive one-kilometer model for weather forecasting worldwide, aiming to address the challenges posed by climate change with advanced precision and reliability.
