In a world increasingly shaped by volatile climate patterns, forecasting accuracy has become more than a convenience. It is now essential infrastructure. Madrid based Rainbow Weather, a next generation climate technology startup, has closed a 5.5 million dollar seed round to accelerate its development of hyper local, minute by minute forecasting and real time environmental intelligence.
AI Powered Weather Engine
Rainbow Weather has created an AI driven weather intelligence system that fuses satellite imagery, radar data, meteorological stations, and even smartphone sensors to build highly precise short term forecasts. The platform delivers accurate rain prediction down to the minute and across one kilometre resolution. It updates every ten minutes, positioning itself as a modern alternative to legacy forecasting systems that rely on slower batch data and older modelling techniques.
Originally developed as a consumer app, Rainbow Weather now provides its data to enterprises and global weather service providers, framing itself as an infrastructure layer for climate exposed industries.
Founders with Deep AI and Mapping Experience
The company was founded in 2021 by Belarusian entrepreneurs Yuriy Melnichek and Alexander Matveenko, long time collaborators with multiple exits in AI and mapping. Their previous ventures include AIMatter, Vochi, Wanna, and MapData, sold to major global technology companies.
The idea for Rainbow Weather emerged from personal experience. Melnichek described a hike in the Alps where a rain prediction app failed to account for terrain and elevation despite showing a clear forecast. The incident highlighted a structural weakness in legacy weather systems, which often rely on historical patterns and optical flow rather than real time atmospheric analysis.
Continuous Data Streaming
Rainbow Weather’s system replaces traditional batch forecasting with continuous atmospheric streaming. As soon as new satellite frames, radar scans, or mobile barometer readings arrive, they are processed immediately. Each data source has its own dedicated pipeline, feeding neural networks that blend the inputs into a constantly updating global atmospheric model.
This approach allows the platform to capture micro scale weather dynamics that older systems cannot detect quickly enough. The company emphasises precise timing of precipitation events rather than broad probability ranges, which most consumers find difficult to interpret.
Expanding into Real Time Environmental Intelligence
Rainbow Weather has already expanded its capabilities beyond precipitation. The platform now detects wildfires by analysing thermal anomalies and smoke signatures in satellite imagery, a feature inspired in part by severe fires in Cyprus. The company plans to integrate additional weather parameters and extend its forecast horizon from four hours to twenty four hours.
Its consumer app has surpassed one million installs and more than one hundred thousand active users. Growth has been driven mostly by organic recommendations, triggered by what the founders call the definitive “wow moment” when predictions align precisely with reality.
Transparency and Benchmarking
In a push for transparency, the team operates Weather Index, an open benchmarking tool that compares short term forecasts from major providers using real time airport station data. This contrasts with industry practices where many providers restrict comparative analysis. Rainbow Weather publishes performance metrics openly and consistently ranks among the most accurate in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia.
Scaling with New Funding
The seed round was backed by a syndicate of experienced technology investors. With the new capital, Rainbow Weather plans to grow its B2B offering, enhance its machine learning infrastructure, and expand product development.
Long term, the company aims to build a comprehensive real time environmental intelligence platform. Instead of offering only weather forecasts, Rainbow Weather envisions a continuously updating digital representation of atmospheric and ground conditions that can help individuals, cities, and industries operate safely in an increasingly unstable climate.
