In a surprising pivot from fintech to space tech, Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of the popular trading platform Robinhood, is now aiming to transform the future of energy with his new venture. Bhatt recently joined the Equity podcast on TechCrunch to discuss his ambitious startup, which focuses on space-based solar power, a technology that could potentially provide clean, limitless energy from orbit.
Bhatt's vision is to harness solar energy in space, where the sun's rays are unfiltered by Earth's atmosphere, and beam it back to the planet. This innovative approach could address global energy demands with a sustainable solution, bypassing many of the limitations faced by terrestrial solar farms, such as weather dependency and land constraints.
During the podcast, Bhatt explained why he believes space solar technology is the next frontier in renewable energy. He emphasized the potential for constant energy supply, as satellites in orbit can capture sunlight 24/7, unlike ground-based systems that are limited by nightfall and cloud cover.
The challenges, however, are immense. Bhatt acknowledged the high costs and technical hurdles of launching and maintaining solar arrays in space, as well as the complexities of safely transmitting energy back to Earth. Yet, his optimism and track record of disrupting industries with Robinhood fuel his determination to overcome these obstacles.
This venture marks a significant departure from Bhatt's previous work in democratizing finance, but it reflects a growing trend of tech entrepreneurs tackling climate change and energy innovation. If successful, his startup could redefine how humanity powers its future, positioning Bhatt as a pioneer in yet another transformative field.
For more insights, listeners are encouraged to check out the full discussion on the TechCrunch Equity podcast, where Bhatt delves deeper into his motivations and the science behind this groundbreaking project.
Alfred Lee
