ISRAELI startup Windward has designed software that analyses global shipping movements and builds machine learning and predictive models for governments, marine insurance companies and other companies to track vessels at sea. Marine insurance companies can use the software to help predict the probability of accidents and governments can use it to check for illegal activity such as breaking sanctions. If, for example, a ship's activities are unusual "turning off its radar or visiting an at-risk port" it will be flagged, reported The Times of Israel online. The company is already supplying "top end customers in Europe and other places," said co-founder and CEO Ami Daniel. Lord John Browne of Madingley is said to be an investor in the firm and has joined its board of directors. "Bringing Mr Browne on board as both an investor and adviser is testament of the aspiration of what we believe we can be, and the humble recognition of how hard it will be, so we want to make sure we have the top people in the world to guide us and save us from mistakes," said Mr Daniel. The startup was set up in 2010 and has raised to date US$22.4 million from investors including Aleph, Horizons Ventures, the former CIA director Petraeus and Reuter's Glocer.