Investors believe that precision maps made with far-flung sensors can turn profits, as climate threats call for novel ways to monitor a changing planet.

• Ocean data startup Saildrone has raised a $100 million Series C led by Bond Capital, with XN, Standard Investments, Emerson Collective and Crowley Maritime also participating.
• The California startup made waves recently when one of its solar- and wind-powered drones captured video from inside Hurricane Sam and survived the voyage. The company’s data is used for defense applications, climate and weather forecasting, and monitoring of fisheries and wind farms.