AiGent, a Texas-based developer of AI-driven distributed power plants (DPPs), has raised $6m in seed funding to integrate 185GW existing generation assets into American power markets.

AiGent’s AI-based technology platform aggregates, orchestrates and monetises distributed generation infrastructure at commercial, industrial and mission-critical facilities, including AI data centres, to deliver rapidly dispatchable, reliable DPPs. By tapping into existing behind-the-meter distributed generation assets during system stress, the firm helps keep the lights on, lowers costs and provides revenue streams to asset owners, all without the need, cost, delays and dislocation required to build power plants or energy infrastructure.

The funding comes from Zero Infinity Partners (ZIP) and investment firm CIV.

“Backup generators are an untapped reliability resource sitting idle across the grid,” said Stephanie Hendricks, CEO 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, CEO at CIV (www.civ.co), added: “AiGent is unlocking a massive, underutilised fleet of 185GW 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.”

And John Kwaak, managing partner at ZIP, said: “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. Together with our friends at CIV, we’re excited to support their bold vision, in an era where satisfying power demands, increasing grid resiliency and bringing AI to the physical infrastructure world are among the greatest imperatives.”

In addition to securing its seed funding, AiGent has added Dan Leff and Alex Demeulenaere to its board of directors. Leff is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience in energy and technology, and will help guide AiGent’s team and vision. Demeulenaere joins the board as an investor and managing director at ZIP (www.zeroinfinitypartners.com).

Using its AI-based technology, AiGent (www.aigent.energy) aggregates, orchestrates and monetises distributed generation resources in power markets, delivering reliability, economic and sustainability benefits to large energy users, utilities and grid operators.