Why We Invested in Base Power: Building the Distributed Future of Energy
America’s energy grid is struggling to keep up with rising demand and aging infrastructure. Power outages are becoming more frequent, electricity prices continue to climb, and the system that supports modern life is decades behind current needs. Rebuilding this grid from the top down would require trillions of dollars and many years to complete. Base Power, however, is addressing this challenge from the bottom up.
Founded in 2023 in Austin, Texas, Base Power is pioneering the future of distributed energy by installing home battery systems one at a time. For less than $1,000 upfront and a modest monthly subscription fee, customers receive a whole-home battery system along with a fixed electricity rate that is 10 to 20 percent lower than traditional providers. Each battery also contributes to a virtual power plant (VPP). When demand peaks, Base Power can sell stored energy back to the grid, helping to create a more resilient and affordable energy system for everyone.
Why We Invested in Base Power: Innovation in Energy Storage and Grid Resilience
Base Power blends the reliability of a traditional utility with the agility of a technology company. Its leadership team includes veterans from SpaceX, Tesla Powerwall, and Anduril. CEO Zach Dell, formerly an investor at Thrive and Blackstone, and COO Justin Lopas, who was previously Head of Manufacturing at Anduril, are applying lessons from aerospace and defense manufacturing to transform one of the world’s most established industries.
By vertically integrating both hardware and software, Base Power designs and assembles its own batteries in the United States. This approach marks a significant shift that improves unit economics, quality, and supply chain control. The company’s first manufacturing facility is currently under construction inside the former Austin American-Statesman printing press. This site will begin producing battery systems to meet growing national demand.
Electricity consumption is expected to rise sharply as electric vehicles, heat pumps, and data centers become more common. At the same time, consumers face record rate increases and more frequent outages. Base Power’s model—combining local energy generation, predictable pricing, and resilient storage—directly addresses these challenges. With thousands of batteries already deployed and partnerships with major homebuilders like Lennar, Base Power has quickly become one of the fastest-growing energy companies in the United States.
Supporting the Distributed Energy Revolution
At Samsung Next, we seek founders who are reimagining entire industries. Base Power’s distributed energy approach reflects a broader shift seen across technology—from cloud dependence to local intelligence. Just as on-device AI reduces latency and costs, decentralized energy systems enhance resilience and efficiency.
There is also strong strategic relevance for Samsung. Whole-home batteries are emerging as a new category of “smart appliances,” ensuring that connected homes, devices, and medical technologies remain powered even during grid failures. Base Power represents a potential partner in U.S.-based cell manufacturing and deployment.
Base Power’s mission is ambitious: to place a battery in every home and build America’s next great power company. This effort is not just about energy; it is about enabling progress across every sector that depends on reliable power. We joined Base Power’s $1 billion Series C funding round alongside Addition, Valor Equity Partners, Thrive Capital, Lightspeed, Andreessen Horowitz, Altimeter, and others who share this vision. We are proud to support Zach, Justin, and the entire Base Power team as they reshape how the world is powered—from the edge outward.
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Source: original article.