Rainmaker Technology Corporation, based in El Segundo, California, has secured a $100 million Series B funding round to expand its atmospheric research organization and reduce the cost of producing new freshwater through cloud seeding. Investors in the round include NOA VC, Upfront Ventures, DCVC, Lowercarbon Capital and Dream Ventures. Founder and CEO Augustus Doricko described the investment as historic and framed water security as central to the future of habitable land and thriving communities.
How Rainmaker Works
Rainmaker operates a next-generation cloud seeding platform that uses weather-resistant drones to release small amounts of silver iodide into winter storm clouds. Ice crystals form around the particles and grow heavy enough to fall as rain or snow. The company then uses its own radar and validation systems to measure how much additional precipitation each operation produces, which has been a missing step in past cloud seeding efforts.
Proven Precipitation Results
Earlier this year, Rainmaker became the first private company in history to physically validate cloud seeding results. Over a four-month period, it recorded 82 unambiguous seeding signatures, distinct radar patterns that link precipitation directly to a seeding flight. These signatures account for more than 145 million verified gallons of freshwater, roughly the annual water use of 1,800 American households.
Increasing Efficiency and Scale
In August, Rainmaker produced 19 million gallons of water in about three hours near Homer, Alaska, marking a notable improvement in efficiency. The company reports that its cost per acre-foot of water falls sharply as production increases, because additional drone teams can operate in parallel. By the November 2026 to April 2027 season, Rainmaker expects its water to cost less than most other new supply sources, including desalination and paying farmers to leave fields unplanted.
Research and University Investment
The new funding will support rapid expansion of Rainmaker's research team, which includes atmospheric scientists, radar and satellite specialists, and material scientists. The team will focus on determining which clouds to seed, when to seed them, how much material to release, and where precipitation can best benefit farms, ecosystems, and industry. Rainmaker will also support weather modification research at American universities and national laboratories.
Drought and Geographic Expansion
The announcement comes as major drought in the American West continues to draw national attention. Snowpack after the winter of 2025-2026 was the lowest on record, and reservoirs along the Colorado River are reaching historic lows. Rainmaker currently operates in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, California and Colorado, and it is working to expand operations throughout the American West and globally.
Beyond Water
Water is Rainmaker's first focus, but the company does not plan to stop there. It intends to apply the same research and operational approach to other limits on productive land, including hail damage and poor soil. These areas could allow the company to broaden its impact on agriculture and land resilience.
Rainmaker's Series B round marks a significant step for commercial weather modification and freshwater production. The company combines validated results, falling costs, and a growing research agenda to position itself as a key player in drought response. The new funding is expected to accelerate expansion across the American West and support new applications beyond cloud seeding.