Robinhood Co-Founder Baiju Bhatt Launches Aetherflux to Beam Solar Energy from Space

TL;DR

•  Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, launches Aetherflux, a space-based solar energy startup.
  
•  Raised $50M Series A to deploy orbital solar satellites.
  
•  Plans to transmit clean energy from space to Earth by 2026.
  
•  Bhatt shared insights on the TechCrunch Equity podcast.
  
•  The project is attracting investor interest in space infrastructure and climate tech.
  

From Robinhood to the Final Frontier

Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt is launching a new venture to combat climate change — from orbit. His startup, Aetherflux, aims to send solar power-harvesting satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) and beam the energy back to Earth as clean, wireless power.

The project raised $50 million in Series A funding and is preparing for its first demonstration flight in 2026.

Bhatt discussed the shift from fintech to frontier tech on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, emphasizing how space-based solar power (SBSP) can become a scalable alternative to terrestrial renewables.

The Space-Based Solar Opportunity

While solar panels on Earth are limited by weather and nightfall, orbital panels can collect uninterrupted sunlight. The key challenge is how to transmit that energy back to Earth — a process that involves converting electricity to microwaves or lasers, and safely directing them to ground-based receivers.

Bhatt believes Aetherflux’s timing is perfect, thanks to:

• Declining satellite launch costs
  
• Improved beam-tracking algorithms
  
• Lighter and more efficient solar arrays
  

“We’re building an energy platform in orbit, not just a space experiment,” Bhatt said.

The Data

Building the Future Grid in Orbit

Aetherflux’s Series A funding will be used to:

• Build and test a wireless energy-beaming demonstrator
  
• Deploy a prototype satellite
  
• Develop a ground-based receiver station
  
• Expand its engineering and operations teams
  

While the company hasn’t revealed its full investor list, sources say the round included both deep tech VCs and climate infrastructure funds.

Software, Physics, and Capital Intensity

In the podcast, Bhatt acknowledged the complexity of building deep tech hardware. Unlike his fintech days at Robinhood, this project requires longer timelines, capital-intensive builds, and cross-disciplinary engineering.

“You iterate through physics, not just software,” Bhatt joked.

The Bigger Picture: Energy + Space + Climate

With nations targeting net-zero carbon goals, the demand for uninterrupted renewable energy is surging. And with megaconstellations becoming more viable, SBSP could emerge as a strategic energy asset.

Bhatt believes the space economy is entering a phase where “science fiction becomes infrastructure.”

Bonus Moment: Burning Man Light Show?

Bhatt and podcast host Rebecca Bellan playfully suggested repurposing Aetherflux’s laser beams for a light show at Burning Man. While unlikely, the anecdote highlights the public imagination and cultural relevance of space energy projects.