The Augsburg-based startup meteoIntelligence aims to support companies by using meteorological data to provide decision support for processes that are influenced by the weather. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) through an EXIST start-up grant and is scientifically accompanied by the University of Augsburg. The link between entrepreneurship and science is a central element of the scholarship. Now the startup has completed the first prototype.
Scientific studies show that many economic sectors depend on meteorological conditions. In the case of construction or an ice cream parlor, this is still obvious. But such influences also exist for DIY stores, online retailing or the energy market. This is exactly where the startup meteoIntelligence sees its niche. “We are not a weather service provider, but rather support companies in being able to better assess the influence of the weather on them and thus plan better,” says Tristan Semsch from meteoIntelligence.
The founders create models based on meteorological values, but also variables from the company itself or specially researched data, which predict the influence of the weather on business operations. The customer gets the forecast based on variables that he knows, such as sales figures for certain products. Many aspects are taken into account in the energy market: How much heat do I need in my supply area. What people live there? What is the forecast for the temperature? What role does the day of the week or holidays play? The customer no longer has to interpret data himself, but receives clear statements. “We have now completed the organizational phase and the first prototype is ready,” says co-founder Daniel Lassahn. Currently there are many customer inquiries. The startup is currently focusing on the energy sector and DIY stores, but also has solutions in mind for other areas.
The unique structure of the forecast model makes it possible to quantify influences on customer-specific operating variables and to forecast them. The customer thus receives forecasts of variables that are familiar to him from his everyday work and no longer requires meteorological know-how for their interpretation. Furthermore, the flexible structure of the model allows a versatile application in different industries.
Cooperation with the University of Augsburg and the Digital Center Swabia (DZ.S)
The EXIST Gründerstipendium of the BMWi offers the startup the unique opportunity to focus on the further development of the idea, the business model and the prototypes. “With Prof. Dr. Jörg Hähner, we were able to win an expert in the fields of algorithms for the implementation of self-x properties (e.g. self-learning, self-optimizing, self-configuring) and machine learning in technical systems for the start-up project,” says Tristan Semsch. The Professor of Organic Computing at the University of Augsburg has accompanied the team from the very beginning and is available to the founders during regular meetings to answer questions about the content of the project. The organisational processing, such as the procurement of required hardware, also takes place via his chair. The project is supported by other university institutions, the StartHub – Innovation and Start-up Centre and the Career Service.
