Aetherflux is a private American renewable energy company focused on pioneering space-based solar power. Founded by Baiju Bhatt, the co-founder and former co-CEO of Robinhood, Aetherflux aims to revolutionize energy distribution by deploying a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to collect solar energy and transmit it to ground stations on Earth using infrared lasers. The company’s primary objectives are to deliver reliable, resilient power to locations where traditional infrastructure is inadequate or compromised, such as military operations in contested zones and disaster-stricken regions. Aetherflux positions itself as a critical player in strengthening U.S. energy independence and national security by providing power where it is needed most, even in the most challenging environments.
Leadership
Founder and CEO: Baiju Bhatt
Baiju Bhatt holds a B.S. in Physics and an M.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University.
He previously co-founded Robinhood and served as its co-CEO until November 2020. Under his leadership, Robinhood became a publicly traded company with over 20 million customers.
Bhatt’s passion for space was inspired by his father’s career as a scientist at NASA.
In 2024, Bhatt left his daily role at Robinhood to focus on Aetherflux but remains on Robinhood’s Board of Directors.
Advisors and Team
Daniel M. Gallagher, former chief legal officer of Robinhood Markets, joined as an advisor.
The team includes talent from Robinhood, SpaceX, NASA/JPL, Anduril, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Navy, reflecting a strong background in both technology and national security.
Core Technologies
Aetherflux is developing a novel space-based solar power system with the following key components:
Satellite Constellation: Satellites equipped with solar panels collect energy in space.
Infrared Laser Transmission: Unlike traditional microwave-based approaches, Aetherflux uses infrared lasers to transmit collected solar energy from satellites to ground stations.
Portable Ground Stations: Ground stations with photovoltaic arrays convert the received laser energy into electricity, which is then stored in batteries for later use. These stations are designed to be portable (5–10 meters in diameter) for deployment in remote or critical locations.
Satellite Bus: The company utilizes the Aries satellite bus from Apex Space, providing the core structure and essential systems for the satellite payloads.
Key Capabilities
Energy Delivery to Remote and Contested Locations: Provides power for U.S. military operations, disaster relief, remote research stations, and mining sites.
Energy Resilience: Enables energy access where infrastructure is damaged, vulnerable, or nonexistent.
Modular and Scalable Systems: Focus on small, portable ground stations for flexible deployment.
End-to-End Power Link Demonstration: The company’s first mission aims to demonstrate the full chain from space-based energy collection to ground-based electricity use, with a space demo planned for 2026.
Investors
Founder Investment: Baiju Bhatt has personally invested $10 million into the company.
Series A Funding: In April 2025, Aetherflux raised $50 million in a Series A round co-led by Index Ventures and Interlagos (a VC firm founded by former SpaceX leadership).
Other Investors: Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates), Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Robinhood co-founder Vlad Tenev, Daniel Gallagher, artist Jared Leto, and watchmaker François-Paul Journe.
Total Funding: $60 million to date.
Valuation: Not publicly disclosed as of April 2025.
Government Support: The U.S. Department of Defense’s Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF) has approved funding for Aetherflux’s proof-of-concept demonstration.
Company Type: Private.
Notable Clients
U.S. Military: The primary early application is for U.S. military operations, with the Department of Defense supporting Aetherflux’s development and demonstration of space solar power capabilities.
Disaster Relief Agencies: Targeted as key beneficiaries for resilient power during natural disasters, though specific agencies or contracts have not been publicly named.
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