Smart-home tech startup raises a new VC round

A Denver company that makes smart lawn-sprinkler technology has soaked up $9.8 million in new capital from investors. Rachio landed the money just before last month’s holidays. It was reported in regulatory filings made public this week. Rachio’s product is a sprinkler timer and app that can be set up to water as many as 16 zones and account for most landscape variables a property owner might want to input. It’s designed to use its Internet connection to monitor weather local conditions and…