Podcast Summary: Inevitable (MCJ Podcast)

Episode Title: Using Drones to Make Rain and Snow with Rainmaker

Date: January 20, 2026

Host: Cody Simms
Guest: Augustus d'Orico, Founder & CEO, Rainmaker

Episode Overview

This episode explores the modernization and scaling of cloud seeding through the lens of Rainmaker, a startup using cutting-edge drones and tech to induce rain and snow with an eye on water supply and ecosystem restoration. Host Cody Simms and guest Augustus d'Orico discuss the science behind cloud seeding, innovations that enable better measurement and attribution, challenges and opportunities for scaling the business, market and regulatory landscape, and recent public scrutiny Rainmaker has faced.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What is Rainmaker and How Does Cloud Seeding Work?

• Rainmaker Defined:
  "Rainmaker is a next generation cloud seeding company using advanced weather radar, novel weather resistant drones, and a bunch of fancy software to make it rain and snow more than it otherwise would have, ultimately for the sake of ecosystem restoration, agricultural water supply, urban water supply, and bringing more water to places that need it." – Augustus d'Orico (01:23)
• Cloud Seeding vs. Geoengineering:
  Cloud seeding is a local, temporary weather modification process (county-scale, lasts ~90 min–2 hours), not global geoengineering like solar radiation management. The conflation with “chemtrails” is discussed and dismissed. (01:53–03:06)
• Cloud Seeding Mechanics:
  Natural precipitation is triggered when water droplets in clouds coalesce around aerosols such as dust, bacteria, or sea salt. Cloud seeding mimics this using aerosols (traditionally silver iodide), allowing water to form larger ice/snow particles and fall as precipitation. (03:28–04:56)

2. History of Cloud Seeding

• Developed in the 1940s:
  Scientists Langmuir, Schaefer, and Vonnegut performed early experiments using dry ice and later switched to silver iodide due to its chemical similarity to hexagonal ice—a leap from pure demonstration to operational feasibility. (05:07–07:18)
• The technology of using silver iodide as the aerosol has remained largely unchanged since the 1950s/60s—Rainmaker innovates on delivery, measurement, and automation, not the fundamental chemistry. (07:27–08:48)

3. Breakthroughs in Attribution and Measurement (MRV)

• The critical block to scaling cloud seeding was the inability to prove causality and to attribute increases in precipitation to the intervention, resulting in wide uncertainty bands and making it tough to bill credibly for the service. (08:48–09:14)
• Breakthrough with “Snowy” Campaign (2017):
  Using dual-polarization radar, researchers can now unambiguously attribute precipitation created by cloud seeding, setting the stage for commercial programs like Rainmaker (09:14–11:08).

4. Rainmaker’s Technology Stack and Innovations

• Drones vs. Manned Aircraft:
  Rainmaker has developed the first US drone that can fly into severe meteorological conditions. Traditional planes are expensive and risky—drones are cheaper, safer, and allow for precise targeting and data collection. (14:38–16:03)
• Sensors, Software, and Data:
  Vertically integrated approach: in-house radar, custom drones, proprietary anti-icing tech, and software blending multiple data sources (NWS, NASA, proprietary) to optimize targeting and validation. (12:56–14:16, 20:19–20:53)
• Anti-Icing Innovation:
  Instead of chemical antifreeze, which actually suppressed precipitation, Rainmaker built heating systems into drone propellers—a new insight that even enables measurement of cloud conditions. (12:50–13:56)
• Future Aerosol Innovation:
  To expand use into warmer clouds or longer seasons, Rainmaker is researching biodegradable and more effective aerosols than silver iodide, which only operates below –6°C. (18:40–20:19)

5. Business Go-to-Market and Scaling

• Initial Customer Missteps:
  Failed first attempt to sell to small farmers; cloud seeding operates on too large an area (hundreds of thousands of acres), and benefits diffuse across neighbors, which undermines willingness to pay. (26:23–27:33)
• Market Entry via Acquisition:
  Rainmaker bought North American Weather Consultants, integrated tech, and leveraged established relationships to win large contracts in Utah and other states, including what became the biggest weather modification program in the last 50 years over the Bear River Basin for the Great Salt Lake. (28:21–29:32)
• Business Model Evolution:
  Shift from “set it and forget it” service contracts to a more standardized, infrastructure + service model. Working towards more autonomous ops and potentially a “pay-for-volume” model as MRV tech matures. (31:27–32:51)

6. Industry, Policy, and Public Scrutiny

• U.S. Operations:
  Rainmaker actively working in six U.S. states (Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, California). Some states (Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee) prohibit cloud seeding, but most others have either supported or even funded it after understanding the distinction with geoengineering and chemtrails. (36:14–38:40)
• PR and Conspiracy Controversies:
  Rainmaker has been the subject of media attention and conspiracy accusations (notably chemtrails and implication in Texas floods), despite a strong technical and regulatory compliance defense. (39:02–43:18)
  • “As yet … I have not yet found any compelling evidence to suggest that anybody … is spraying either toxins or nanobots or vaccines on people. But that often comes up.” – Augustus d’Orico (39:26)
• Suspend Operations During Flood Risk:
  Rainmaker abides by strict suspension protocols, and meteorological evidence clears the firm of influencing natural disasters such as the Texas floods. (43:18–44:08)

7. Market Size and Growth Potential

• Market Today:
  “It is a low nine figure scale market globally, but within China it is a $1.4 billion annual spend …” (46:01)
• The real market lies in the wider water economy ($600B+), with pent-up demand particularly in water-scarce regions—Rainmaker aims to convert portions of infrastructure and utility budgets by proving cost-effectiveness. (46:01–47:41)
• Growth Drivers:
  Market poised to grow due to both worsening water shortages (climate change) and technical advancements that improve attribution and confidence in results. (47:41–48:08)

8. Vision and Future

• Near-term Goals:
  Arrest the shrinkage of the Great Salt Lake and aid the Colorado River within 5–6 years. (50:27–51:31)
• Long-term Ambition:
  Become the largest water producer in the western US, and maybe even turn currently unarable land green and lush, but with environmental stewardship. (50:27–51:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Attribution Challenge in Cloud Seeding:
  “If I fly a plane into a cloud and sprinkle some magic beans and then it rains or it snows, that doesn't mean that I induced that precipitation.” – Augustus d'Orico (07:56)

• On Chemtrails Accusations:
  “As yet … I have not yet found any compelling evidence to suggest that anybody … is spraying either toxins or nanobots or vaccines on people. But that often comes up.” – Augustus d’Orico (39:26)

• On Market Vision:
  “Nobody wants cloud seeding. They want the water from cloud seeding.” – Augustus d’Orico (32:37)

• On Regulatory Landscape:
  “The Attorney general of Florida, on about a monthly basis sends me a letter reminding me that it is illegal to cloud seed in Florida. And we respond and say we are not. Thank you for the reminder.” – Augustus d’Orico (37:12)

• On Technology Versus Environmental Drivers:
  “I think it'd be in really bad taste to say that I was like grateful that environmental dynamics necessitated we induce more precipitation artificially …” – Augustus d'Orico (48:08)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Rainmaker Overview and Cloud Seeding Explanation — 01:23–04:56
• History of Cloud Seeding and Aerosol Chemistry — 05:07–07:18
• Measurement and Attribution Breakthroughs — 08:48–11:08
• Drone and Sensor Innovations — 12:50–16:03
• Aerosol R&D and Operational Expansion — 18:40–20:19
• Go-to-Market Strategy & Customer Acquisition — 26:23–29:32
• Business Model Evolution — 31:27–32:51
• U.S. State-by-State Operations and Bans — 36:14–38:40
• Chemtrails and Public Controversy — 39:02–43:18
• Handling of Texas Flood Accusations — 41:02–44:08
• Market Size Discussion — 46:01–47:41
• Long-term Vision and Mission — 50:27–51:31

Summary Takeaways

Rainmaker is redefining an old but underutilized technology—cloud seeding—by leveraging drones, in-situ sensors, advanced software, and a focus on scientific rigor in measurement. They are overcoming historic attribution challenges and aiming to make a dent in water shortages, especially amid climate change. Strategic acquisition, public sector focus, and a defensible tech stack position Rainmaker as a formidable player. However, they also face the burden of public misunderstanding and controversy, which they counter with transparency, regulatory compliance, and ongoing technical innovation.

For further details or to join the Rainmaker team, Augustus invites engineering and atmospheric science interns to apply at rainmaker.com/careers (51:35).