Aetherflux reportedly raising Series B at $2 billion valuation

In Brief Posted: 10:05 AM PDT · March 27, 2026 Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography / TechCrunch Tim Fernholz Aetherflux reportedly raising Series B at $2 billion valuation Aetherflux, the space solar power startup launched by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt, is in talks to raise $250 million to $350 million for a Series B round that would value the company at $2 billion. The fundraising was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which said that Index Ventures is leading the deal. Aetherflux has collected about $80 million since its founding in 2024. Aetherflux declined to comment. Aetherflux has shifted focus in recent months as it pushed its power-generating technology toward space data centers, deemphasizing the transmission of electricity to the Earth with lasers that was its starting vision. Space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Starcloud, and others are now developing novel architectures for distributed compute in space. “Let the record show we never lifted our pivot foot — it wasn’t a travel,” Bhatt joked in an interview with TechCrunch last week. “The light bulb went off about a year ago that, actually, if you wanted to power AI with the technology that we were thinking about, it would be much more advantageous to actually put the chips in space, rather than project the power from space down to a terrestrial data center.” While the company plans to continue its experimentation in laser power transmission on a satellite bus built by Apex Space, the company’s first data center satellite is expected in 2027. “Our goal is to build something that competes with terrestrial economics,” Bhatt said. It won’t be easy. Techcrunch event Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400. Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit 1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediatelyOffer ends March 13. San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 REGISTER NOW Topics Aetherflux, data centers, In Brief, Index Ventures, Space, Space, Startups, TC, Transportation April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.

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