We’re thrilled to announce that Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and founder and CEO of Aetherflux, might be becoming a member of us for a uncommon, intimate fireplace chat as a part of TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC night collection on June 18 on Sand Hill Street in Menlo Park.
As with all of our StrictlyVC evenings, the occasion will function only a handful of choose conversations — and Bhatt’s might be one you gained’t need to miss.
For those who’ve adopted the transformation of retail investing over the past decade, you’ve seen Bhatt’s fingerprints throughout it. Because the co-founder of Robinhood, he helped redefine how hundreds of thousands work together with the inventory market — prioritizing clear design, user-centric product considering, and, in fact, commission-free buying and selling.
Since stepping again from his government position at Robinhood, Bhatt has been quietly engaged on one thing radically new: Aetherflux, a space-based photo voltaic power startup aiming to beam energy from orbit to Earth utilizing infrared lasers. The imaginative and prescient? Clear, constant power, delivered to essentially the most distant corners of the planet. Bhatt is betting on it in additional methods than one, together with by pouring, thus far, $10 million of his personal funds into the startup, which has now raised $60 million altogether.
At this unique gathering, Bhatt will pull again the curtain on a few of classes realized from constructing Robinhood; why he believes the way forward for power lies past Earth’s ambiance; what it took to transition from fintech to area tech, why now, and what he has encountered whereas fundraising in 2025. (Sure, he’s a confirmed entrepreneur, however he’s not proof against the market’s ebbs and flows.)
Area is restricted by design at StrictlyVC occasions to deliver our readers nearer to these dominating the headlines (and so you possibly can ask questions). For those who’re constructing, investing, or simply obsessive about what’s subsequent, you’ll need to be part of us for this one. It occurs on the Quad on June 18, courtesy of our co-hosts within the occasion, Mayfield. Doorways open at 5 p.m. for networking and drinks, adopted by this system and extra networking and drinks.
Register your seat right here to hitch the conversations with the leaders and VCs shaping the startup world.