Aetherflux reportedly raising Series B at $2 billion valuation

Aetherflux, a startup founded by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, is planning to raise $250M to $350M in a Series B round, valuing the company at $2B. The firm has pivoted to focusing on powering space data centers rather than transmitting electricity to Earth, aligning with trends in space computing technologies.

Key Points

• Aetherflux is seeking $250M-$350M in Series B funding at a $2B valuation.
• Index Ventures is leading the funding round; the company has raised $80M since its inception in 2024.
• The company shifted its focus from laser power transmission to space data centers, stating it is more advantageous to power AI from space.
• The first data center satellite is expected to launch in 2027, as Aetherflux maintains experiments in laser transmission.

Relevance

• The rise of space technology and computing aligns with the 2025 IT Trends, emphasizing AI and distributed computing in space.
• Aetherflux’s shift resembles industry trends towards space-based solutions among companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
• The trend of startups pivoting their business models to adapt to technological advancements connects to broader themes in innovation.

Aetherflux's funding round highlights a significant pivot in their strategy, aligning with growing interests in space-based technology and data solutions, reflective of broader IT trends shaping the future of computing.