Planette Founders – Hansi Singh and Kalai Ramea
Planette, a startup in the climate technology sector, recently completed the Techstars Seattle accelerator program and secured $2.4 million in funding. The company specializes in AI-driven solutions that assist businesses in preparing for weather and climate-related risks that could impact their resources and operations.
Distinguishing itself from other weather forecasting startups, Planette focuses on providing “near-term forecasts,” such as quarterly or seasonal reports, rather than week-to-week forecasts or long-term climate predictions.
Dr. Hansi Singh and Dr. Kalai Ramea, the co-founders of Planette, bring a wealth of expertise in climate and atmospheric sciences, AI, machine learning, and quantitative modeling to the Bay Area-based startup.
Singh, the CEO, previously served as a professor of physical climate science at the University of Victoria and holds a PhD and master’s degree from the University of Washington. Ramea, the CTO, has a background as the former associate director of the Palo Alto Research Center and earned her PhD in quantitative modeling from the University of California, Davis.
During their Techstars Demo Day pitch, Planette emphasized the importance of their forecasts in facilitating climate change adaptation by providing detailed year-to-year granularity at a 25-km resolution globally through an accessible data API.
The startup has made significant strides in the energy and utilities sector, securing three letters of intent, conducting a pilot program with the largest public municipal utility in the U.S., and engaging in discussions for a partnership with the United Nations.
Investors, including Audacious Ventures, Jetstream, Dash Fund, and Graham & Walker, have shown confidence in Planette’s vision. Marius Ciocirlan, managing director of Techstars Seattle, highlighted the co-founders’ blend of scientific expertise, AI engineering skills, and strategic acumen as key factors driving the company’s fundraising success.
While numerous startups are venturing into weather and climate prediction technologies, Planette’s unique approach and the combination of science and AI prowess set them apart in the competitive landscape.
The Techstars Seattle cohort, consisting of 24 startups, benefited from the guidance of seasoned entrepreneurs-in-residence and a diverse group of mentors, shaping their business strategies and market readiness over a three-month period.
