Evaluating only Windward (First Entity)’s profile at its peak — without knowing the outcome — the model ranked Competition as the #1 likely cause. Documented cause: Overexpansion.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
Windward founded in Tel Aviv for AI-powered maritime intelligence and vessel tracking
FUNDING
Raised $30M Series C from Horizon Ventures and others to expand commercial offering
Laid off 40% of workforce and sold government analytics division; original entity effectively dissolved
Full Analysis
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Documented cause
Windward's original maritime AI risk-scoring product for sanctions compliance raised $30M but struggled with a pivot away from its core government/intelligence clients toward commercial shipping. By 2020, the product roadmap fragmented into compliance, risk, and sustainability modules that confused buyers. After a failed SPAC merger attempt in early 2021, the company restructured, laying off 40% of staff and selling its core government analytics division before relaunching under a refocused commercial model.
Lesson
“Deep-tech maritime analytics must choose government or commercial; straddling both destroys product focus.”