Detroit startup Grounded raises $5M to customize electric and gas-powered vans
The company has shifted from making van-life builds to custom outfitting vehicles for small businesses, all while the EV landscape in the US changed dramatically.
In 2022, Detroit-based startup Grounded was founded with the goal of customizing electric vans such as Ford's E-Transit and General Motors' BrightDrop for the "van life" community using a modular, "Lego-like" system. However, as the electric vehicle market faced challenges with major manufacturers discontinuing specific models, Grounded shifted its focus to customize vans for small businesses.
Recently, the company announced it has secured a $5 million seed round from several investors, including Also Capital, The 81 Collection, Animal Capital, the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, and SpaceX alumni. Grounded has also expanded its manufacturing capabilities with a new 50,000-square-foot facility in Detroit, where it will scale its modular design business to cater to various fleet needs, including both electric and gas-powered vehicles.
The company has already attracted clients from sectors such as commercial, medical, and veterinary industries. Grounded's CEO, Sam Shapiro, views GM's cancellation of BrightDrop as a catalyst for the company's pivot towards gas-powered vehicles, allowing them to cater to customers who may not have been ready for electric vehicles due to infrastructure concerns.
Grounded's innovative approach focuses on creating a smart, high-tech, modular workspace or living space on top of the chassis, tailoring the design, materials, power system, and Grounded+ software to turn a vehicle into a modern, connected mobile healthcare vehicle, command center, camper van, coffee shop, and more.
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