AiGent, a developer of AI-based distributed power plants, has raised $6 million in seed funding. The round was led by Zero Infinity Partners (ZIP) and CIV, with both firms backing AiGent’s plan to bring reliable, fast-responding power to the grid by activating existing backup generation infrastructure.

The funding was raised in record time, according to the company, and comes as energy systems across the U.S. face growing pressure from extreme weather, rising demand, and the expansion of AI data centers. AiGent is targeting 185 GW of currently idle behind-the-meter generation capacity, aiming to integrate it into power markets as a virtual power plant.

Unlocking Idle Energy Infrastructure

AiGent’s platform aggregates and orchestrates distributed generation assets at commercial, industrial, and mission-critical sites. These assets often include backup generators that typically sit unused except during outages. By turning these dormant systems into dispatchable, revenue-generating power sources, AiGent hopes to reduce stress on the grid, lower costs, and improve reliability.

“Backup generators are an untapped reliability resource sitting idle across the grid,” said Stephanie Hendricks, CEO and Co-Founder of AiGent. “AiGent turns liabilities into assets, at scale, to improve grid reliability and reduce consumer costs. This support so quickly from leading investors at ZIP and CIV validates both the urgency of the problem and our team’s approach to solving it.”

Patrick Maloney, Co-Founder and CEO at CIV, added, “AiGent is unlocking a massive, underutilized fleet of 185 GW with AI-based software, controls, and market integration. The team is executing with incredible velocity and we believe their model can deliver reliability at a lower cost while creating meaningful value for generator owners and the grid.”

What the New Capital Will Support

AiGent plans to use the new capital to grow its engineering team, advance product development, and accelerate commercial deployments. The company is also focused on expanding its footprint in high-demand regions where grid stress and data center power use are rising quickly.

The team expects to partner with large-scale energy users and facilities that already own backup generators, providing them with new tools to monetize existing infrastructure. Part of the investment will also go toward refining AiGent’s AI-driven orchestration software and strengthening its integrations with market operators.

Building on Deep Industry Experience

AiGent was co-founded by Stephanie Hendricks and a team of repeat founders with prior success scaling infrastructure and energy-tech businesses. The company is based in the U.S. and combines deep domain expertise in power markets, AI, and controls.

To support its next phase of growth, AiGent has added Dan Leff and Alex Demeulenaere to its board of directors. Leff brings more than 40 years of experience in energy and technology and will help steer the company’s strategy. Demeulenaere is Managing Director at ZIP and joins the board as an investor.

“At ZIP, we love backing repeat founders who know what it takes to go from zero to one, and we don’t know a better team than AiGent in that regard,” said John Kwaak, Founder and Managing Partner at ZIP.

Backing from ZIP, CIV, and Industry Veterans

Zero Infinity Partners focuses on investing in companies deploying new technologies across global infrastructure sectors, including energy, mobility, logistics, and data. CIV, meanwhile, backs tech companies in essential industries with long-term capital and hands-on support from experienced operators.

AiGent’s approach of using AI to make better use of what’s already built aligns with both firms’ investment strategies. The company joins a growing list of startups aiming to modernize the grid without the need to construct new power plants from scratch.

Origianl Creator: Ekaterina Pisareva
Original Link: https://justainews.com/industries/energy-and-sustainability/aigent-raises-6m-to-turn-backup-generators-into-power/
Originally Posted: Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:41:54 +0000