Science makes business sense
3 May 2001
A team of weather experts from the University of Reading has scooped the first prize in a prestigious business competition run by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Professor Alan O'Neill and colleagues from the Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling at the University of Reading have set up Weather Informatics, a company that can tailor long-range forecasts from the weather centres to the needs of businesses.
Weather Informatics beat 29 other teams in the battle for first place in NERC's Environmental Sciences Business Plan Competition. They picked up a cheque for £12,500 to plough into their business development and an impressive trophy depicting a coral reef, forged from reclaimed steel.
In the wake of the recent floods and other weather-related problems, forecasting is invaluable to the insurance and weather risk industries. The company wants to be at the forefront in applying the latest scientific advances to its product range, and aims to be the market leader in providing customised seasonal weather forecasts. The Weather Informatics team members are all internationally recognised experts, positioned at the cutting edge of developments in this field.
Further information
Professor Alan O'Neill
Centre for Global Atmospheric Modelling (CGAM)
Tel: 0118 931 8315
Sue Rayne
Information Officer
University of Reading
Tel: 0118 931 8005
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Notes
1. NERC's Business Plan Competition has been so successful that three other research councils have joined them to run a joint competition. They are the Economic & Social; Engineering & Physical Sciences; and Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Councils. See the Business Plan Competition web page for more information.
2. NERC leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.
Press release: 02/01
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