Tomorrow.io Goes to Space

This case study explores the evolution of Tomorrow.io, a weather forecasting technology company, as it pivoted toward building and launching space-based weather radar satellites. This strategic shift was driven by the company's ambition to overcome data limitations in global weather forecasting, particularly over under-measured regions like oceans. By developing proprietary radar technology to measure precipitation and launching a constellation of satellites, Tomorrow.io aimed to enhance its existing weather forecasting platform, extend its market reach, and position itself as a leader in the earth observation and weather forecasting industry. The case also highlights the tradeoffs that this young startup faces in pursuing this bold technology gamble, as the founders determine which key design features of their satellites, which components to build vs. buy, and how much money they will need to raise.