E63: Literally making It rain with Augustus Doricko of Rainmaker

Apr 8, 2024

Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, explores revolutionary cloud-seeding technologies. He discusses the unpredictable history of cloud seeding and the recent breakthroughs that validate its effectiveness. Augustus highlights innovative approaches, including drone delivery and novel nucleation agents, minimizing costs while enhancing yield for agricultural needs and water management. The conversation also delves into the importance of tackling complex problems and the value of inspiring technical creativity, all while addressing public perception and environmental safety.

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INSIGHT

Modernizing Cloud Seeding

Rainmaker reframes cloud seeding as a 21st-century weather-modification technology using modern tools.
They aim to make seeding affordable, higher-yield, and precise for agriculture and municipalities.

INSIGHT

2017 Radar Validation Changed Everything

The 2017 Snowy Project validated man-made precipitation with high-resolution radar showing increased reflectivity behind seeded aircraft.
That radar-based attribution solved the main historical doubt about whether seeding actually produces extra precipitation.

ADVICE

Use Drones And Radar Analytics

Cut operational cost by replacing manned planes with drones and better software for forecasting and radar processing.
Use real-time radar analytics to both identify seeding windows and validate yield to customers.

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Nick and Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, discuss the viability of cloud seeding to (quite literally) make it rain more. Whether for farmers dealing with drought or depleted aquifers or for adaptive purposes such as mitigating wildfires, the potential applications of cloud seeding and making rain more abundant are endless. Nick and Augustus dive deep into the history, theory, and modern current state of cloud seeding while turning an eye to what to expect from Rainmaker in Q2 2024 and beyond. In addition, they discuss:

The various approaches and technical complexities inherent to cloud seeding
Whether cloud seeding simply “pulls forward” rain that would otherwise have precipitated
How to encourage more people to pursue hard problems and the value of non-linear career and life paths

Timestamps:

00:02:06 - Overview of Rainmaker's Mission

00:03:00 - Public Perception and History of Cloud Seeding

00:04:49 - Breakthrough in Cloud Seeding Validation

00:07:40 - Cost Challenges and Rainmaker's Innovations

00:10:52 - Discussion on Cloud Seeding Materials

00:13:04 - The Confluence of Technologies in Modern Cloud Seeding

00:19:41 - Complexity in Climate and Water Systems

00:22:00 - Public Interest in Complex Climate Solutions

00:23:10 - The Importance of Long-Form Content

00:24:24 - Business Model and Customer Agreements at Rainmaker

00:30:03 - Pricing and Servicing Agreements for Water Production

00:31:57 - Rainmaker's Seeding Operations and Results

00:34:14 - Supply-Side Conversations in Water Resources

00:36:05 - Drone Technology and Altitude in Cloud Seeding

00:38:01 - Potential Synergies with Other Geoengineering Efforts

Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of novel geoengineering efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.

Learn more about Rainmaker on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.makerain.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainmaker-technology-corporation/

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