Loading organizations...
Loading organizations...
Rachio is a technology company.
Rachio develops smart irrigation technology, primarily offering smart sprinkler controllers and hose timers that automate outdoor watering. Their products integrate with an intuitive application, enabling users to schedule and manage their in-ground irrigation systems. Leveraging real-time weather data, Rachio controllers feature "Weather Intelligence Plus" for automatic watering adjustments and "cycle and soak" functionality to optimize water absorption and minimize waste.
The company was founded in 2012 by Christopher Klein and Franz Garsombke. The initial insight stemmed from observing the significant water waste caused by traditional sprinklers operating indiscriminately, even during inclement weather. This observation spurred the founders to engineer a solution that combined smart technology with efficient water management for residential landscaping.
Rachio’s products serve homeowners seeking to efficiently manage their outdoor watering, fostering healthier lawns and gardens while promoting environmental stewardship. The company's vision centers on advancing the smart home experience to the outdoors, creating delightful interactions with natural elements, and ultimately conserving water resources by making smart irrigation accessible and effortless for its user base.
Rachio has raised $17.1M across 2 funding rounds.
Rachio has raised $17.1M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Rachio is a Denver-based technology company founded in 2013 that builds smart irrigation hardware and software to optimize outdoor watering and conserve water for residential homeowners.[1][2][5] Its flagship product, the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, uses Wi-Fi connectivity, weather forecasts, and yard-specific data to create personalized schedules via a mobile app, reducing water waste while maintaining healthy landscapes; the community has collectively saved over three billion gallons of water.[2][3][6] Rachio also offers complementary products like the Smart Hose Timer, Root Quencher underground watering devices, and integrations with partners such as Tempest weather systems and MySoil test kits, serving B2C and B2B customers focused on smart home automation and sustainability.[3][4][7] As a Certified B Corporation since 2017, Rachio emphasizes long-term support, transparent upgrades, and features like solenoid monitoring and Alexa/Google Assistant compatibility, driving growth in the clean tech and IoT sectors.[2][3]
Rachio emerged in 2013 in Denver, Colorado, as a response to inefficient traditional sprinkler systems, combining hardware innovation with software for water-efficient smart home devices.[1][2][5] While specific founder details are not detailed in available sources, the company quickly gained traction with its Wi-Fi-enabled controllers, achieving the highest ratings in the market and B Corp certification by April 2017, underscoring early commitment to sustainability.[2] Pivotal moments include expanding from core controllers to a full ecosystem—including hose timers and root quenchers—while amassing billions in community water savings, solidifying its position in smart irrigation.[2][3][4]
Rachio rides the smart home IoT and climate tech waves, addressing water scarcity amid climate change and urbanization, where residential irrigation wastes up to 50% of water through evaporation or poor timing.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with rising demand for sustainable consumer electronics—post-2013 smart home boom and 2025 expansions like cellular connectivity and outdoor lighting integration—fueled by rebates, regulations, and integrations with ecosystems like Alexa.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by normalizing water management in smart yards, partnering for soil testing and flow meters, and proving hardware-software combos can scale conservation (3B+ gallons saved), inspiring cleantech peers in automation and efficiency.[2][4]
Rachio's trajectory points to deeper ecosystem expansion, with 2025 innovations like premium solenoid checks, Tempest integrations, and smart lighting signaling a shift toward comprehensive yard automation.[3] Trends in Matter compatibility, AI-driven forecasts, and B2B professional solutions will likely accelerate adoption amid water crises and green mandates, potentially doubling savings milestones. As IoT matures, Rachio could evolve from controller leader to full landscape platform, reinforcing its water-conserving edge in a thirsty world—echoing its origins in ditching dated dials for effortless, planet-friendly yards.[1][2][3]
Rachio has raised $17.1M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Rachio's investors include Amazon Alexa Fund, Entrada Ventures, Foundry Group, Tribe Capital, Paul Bernard, Bonaventure Capital, Eastside Partners, Arborview Capital.
Rachio has raised $17.1M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series B in March 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2018 | $10.0M Series B | Amazon Alexa Fund, Entrada Ventures, Foundry Group, Tribe Capital, Paul Bernard, Bonaventure Capital, Eastside Partners | |
| Feb 2, 2016 | $7.1M Series A | Arborview Capital |