A new generation of force-of-nature founders is leveraging efficiency, technology, and sustainability to build future-proof businesses. These are not just impact companies, they are setting the blueprint for the next economy. At the heart of this shift is Vind AI, a startup fundamentally redefining how wind energy projects are planned, making them faster, cheaper, and more profitable.
The inefficiencies that have long plagued the sector are slowing down renewable energy adoption and leaving billions in value on the table. Vind AI is proving that thinking sustainably is also unlocking smarter economics. We sat down with co-founder and CEO Helene Bøhler to unpack their journey, the challenges they’re tackling, and what it takes to build a company for the next economy.
The billion-bollar efficiency problem in wind energy
Wind turbines stay in place for 25+ years, which means even minor placement mistakes or suboptimal designs can have long-term financial consequences. Onshore wind is already among the cheapest sources of energy globally, yet inefficiencies in development are holding the sector back from scaling at the pace we need.
“The energy transition is happening, driven by market forces – but with better tools, we can accelerate it.”
The problem is simple but costly: traditional wind planning tools are outdated. Developers still rely on spreadsheets, emails, and fragmented software to make billion-dollar decisions about turbine placement, grid connection, and environmental considerations. This results in inefficient projects that take too long to plan and cost too much to build.
“Designing a wind farm is insanely complex. You need to balance maximising energy production while factoring in land conditions, wildlife, local communities, aesthetics, even the type of turbines and how they connect to the grid. The old way of doing things involved endless email chains, PDFs, and fragmented decision-making. It’s slow, messy, and leads to suboptimal results. We thought, what if all these factors could be processed in real time, in one platform? That’s exactly what Vind AI does.”
Why climate solutions pay off big time
Vind AI slashes planning time by up to 90%. What used to take months now takes days. That translates to faster projects, lower costs, and quicker revenue generation for developers.
Beyond speed, Vind AI optimises projects for financial performance from day one. By integrating real-time data – wind patterns, terrain, grid constraints, and economic factors – their AI-powered platform ensures that every decision maximises return on investment while minimising risk.
“We’re ensuring that every wind farm is designed for maximum financial performance from day one. That means fewer costly mistakes, lower investment risk, and higher long-term profitability. This leads to more wind farms being built, less wasted capital, and a renewable energy sector that scales faster.”
And the industry is taking notice. Vind AI is already working with major players like TotalEnergies, Corio Generation and EnBW, setting the stage to become an industry standard.
Why the most efficient founders will win
What sets impact-driven startups apart from legacy players is their focus on efficiency, an advantage that will give them a clear edge over incumbents in the next economy.
“In an impact startup, efficiency isn’t optional – it’s a survival instinct. When you aim to do more with less, you’re forced to think differently, which naturally leads to smarter, leaner, and more effective solutions. That’s the mindset we bring to wind energy: smarter software, optimised processes, and a relentless focus on delivering real value that customers are willing to pay for.”
“Challenges force you to drive value”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Last fall, offshore wind investment slowed, stalling new projects. But instead of waiting for the market to turn, Vind AI moved fast – launching an onshore version of their product. Now, that agility is paying off, driving interest in both segments. Beyond quick pivots, they’ve stayed laser-focused on what truly drives value for customers. A mindset that defines every startup reshaping an industry.
“To make sure our product actually solves wind developers' biggest pain points, we meet with most of our customers every two weeks, resulting in 50+ product input meetings a month. That’s what keeps us on track. Not trends or market cycles, but laser focus on delivering business value.”
3 lessons for founders looking to build the future
The entrepreneurs shaping the next economy are challenging legacy players with better models, smarter technology, and more capital-efficient operations.
For founders looking to do the same, Bøhler’s advice is simple but critical:
- Solve a real problem first. Talk to your customers before you write a single line of code.
- Break the big vision into small wins. Tackle one challenge at a time, and soon you’ll be driving an entire industry shift.
- Build the right team from day one. They’ll define your culture, execution, and long-term success.
