‘Choosing office space in NEXT Delft is a logical step for a scale-up like ours’

Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from TU Delft, the Dutch weather forecasting service Whiffle has since grown into a scale-up employing forty people. Having built its reputation in the sustainable energy sector, the company is now ready to expand into new markets. ‘Professional office space in an innovation-driven environment is an essential part of that,’ says Frans Jan Burkens, CFO van Whiffle.

The two founders of Whiffle were both working as researchers at TU Delft when they decided to bring their invention to the market. ‘My co-founder, Harm Jonker, specialised in atmospheric physics, while I was conducting research in sustainable energy,’ Frans Jan explains. ‘The core of our service is weather forecasting for the sustainable energy sector. Energy suppliers trading wind and solar energy want to know what the weather will do, so they can purchase more precisely. We can forecast this for them in a highly localised, fast and very accurate way.’

A powerful combination
Whiffle deliberately chose to locate its offices in NEXT Delft, a development created through close collaboration between the ASR Dutch Science Park Fund and TU Delft. ‘Being in NEXT Delft benefits us in several ways. As we still work closely with TU Delft, being nearby is ideal for events and meetings. Many of our colleagues studied at TU Delft and live in the area. And for colleagues travelling from The Hague or Rotterdam, this location is easily accessible – even by bike. Ultimately, it is simply the logical next step: we started out in YES!Delft, the building right next door. That is the place for student start-ups from TU Delft, where you can grow until you are ready for the next stage.’

The two co-founders became entrepreneurs somewhat out of necessity. ‘Fundamental research into atmospheric physics (cloud formation and turbulence in the atmosphere) has taken place at TU Delft for decades. Through a collaboration with the mathematics faculty, the team succeeded in running an atmospheric model on graphics processing units, which enabled ultra-fast calculations. This led to a hyperlocal weather model. At the time, I was pursuing a PhD in sustainable energy. Forecasting is crucial for solar and wind power. Suddenly, we realised this was a very powerful combination. Because our research proposals weren’t getting sufficient funding, we decided to start our own business. We sensed that the private sector would be interested in this application. So, we said goodbye to academia and launched Whiffle.’

An innovative community
One of the company’s guiding principles is making a positive impact. ‘That mindset runs through the DNA of everyone here,’ Frans Jan says. ‘Our forecasts help reduce the cost of sustainable energy. They give wind and solar park operators far more certainty, so they don’t lose money due to inaccurate expectations. With precise weather forecasting, the societal cost of the energy transition becomes lower – and that ultimately benefits our planet. But our product is also relevant for other applications. With climate change, extreme weather is becoming more common. As a result, the need for local and highly accurate weather forecasts is increasing.’

NEXT Delft offers the space Whiffle needs to continue growing. ‘We now occupy more than 400 square metres with 40 employees. The building has a professional appearance that suits a scale-up like ours. It is a place where we can confidently welcome clients and business partners. Being part of an innovative community and a technological ecosystem is completely natural for Whiffle. It also strengthens our employer branding. For recent TU graduates, we are an attractive employer – partly due to the location and the community around us. Our colleagues are free to work from home, but we encourage them to come to the office. Most of them do, because they genuinely enjoy working here in such an inspiring environment.’