Waterloo researchers launch climate intelligence company

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather across Canada, creating significant disruptions to  supply chains through workforce interruptions, logistics delays and damage to critical infrastructure, assets and products. In response, University of Waterloo researchers are converting years of climate risk and adaptation research into practical tools that organizations better anticipate risks, build resilience and reduce loses.

Dr. Jose DiBella, Manager of Research and Partnerships at the Waterloo Climate Institute and a former postdoctoral researcher at Waterloo, has launched ULYSSES Climate Intelligence with co-founders Dr. Sarah Burch, Professor in the Faculty of Environment and Canada Research Chair in Transformative Climate Governance, and Simon Glauser, Managing Director of the Climate Institute.

The team has designed an AI-enabled platform for companies of all sizes, financial institutions, industry associations and governments that supports decision-making to safeguard supply chains and other components of a business. The platform delivers user specific early warning alerts and comprehensive risk data that allow companies to reduce risks from extreme climate events across their supply chain.

In their research, DiBella and Burch have found that companies often lack  visibility into their supply chains, limiting their ability to manage risk. With the help of AI, the Ulysses platform provides this visibility, enabling companies to target spending and capacity where they can be most effective.

“Climate change is already changing how companies operate, invest and plan,” DiBella says. “The challenge is no longer simply accessing more climate data. Leaders need much deeper and specific understanding of climate risk in their operations, supply chains and local realities, and they need the tools to translate that information into practical decisions for building resilience.” 

The venture builds on decades of combined experience in climate science, disaster risk reduction, policy and implementation. DiBella, Burch and Glauser met through their respective roles at Waterloo and were inspired and supported by the university’s entrepreneurial culture.

DiBella’s international work with businesses, communities and multilateral organizations also shaped ULYSSES and its approach.

“We built ULYSSES to help companies uncover the knowledge, expertise, resources and solutions already embedded within their supply chains and turn them into the foundation for system-wide resilience,” DiBella says. “By connecting local knowledge with climate science, we can support better decision-making and reach parts of complex supply networks that conventional risk assessments often cannot.”

For Burch, the company represents a natural extension of research focused on sustainability transitions, climate governance and innovation. Throughout her career, she has worked with governments, businesses, communities and international organizations to understand how societies can respond effectively to climate change while advancing economic and social well-being.

“Our scientific understanding of climate risk has advanced significantly, but translating that knowledge into confident, timely action that reduces losses and damage remains a major challenge,” Burch says.

One of the biggest barriers facing organizations is connecting climate information with day-to-day decision-making.

“Every organization experiences climate risk differently,” Burch says. “By combining scientific evidence with local knowledge, ULYSSES can help people better understand their unique vulnerabilities, evaluate possible responses and build adaptation strategies suited to the places and systems in which they operate.”

Glauser says the platform helps strengthen the business case for adaptation by helping organizations identify priorities, monitor progress and direct resources where they can have the greatest impact.

“Without the ability to anticipate and prepare for climate risks, companies can quickly find themselves facing serious financial and operational consequences,” Glauser says.

The venture reflects Waterloo’s strengths in climate research, entrepreneurship and real-world collaboration. By combining scientific expertise with practical application, the founders are helping organizations move beyond reactive crisis management toward more strategic bottom-up climate adaptation while building stronger businesses, communities, supply chains and local economies.