How Grounded is Revolutionizing Electric Vans for Small Businesses
When Mike Annunziata, managing partner at Also Capital, walks through New York City, he now sees a landscape filled with untapped potential—commercial vans. This newfound perspective came after meeting Sam Shapiro, former SpaceX engineer and founder of Grounded, a Detroit-based startup reimagining electric vans with a modular, Lego-like design system.
From RVs to Commercial Solutions: Grounded’s Evolution
Founded in 2022, Grounded initially focused on converting Ford Transit vans into high-end electric RVs. By 2023, the company shifted to upfitting GM’s BrightDrop vans, leveraging their larger size and extended range. With double-digit sales of its \(200,000 RVs—generating ~\)3M in revenue—Grounded quickly caught the attention of investors and small businesses alike.
Shapiro noticed growing demand beyond recreational use:
- Mobile healthcare units
- Pet grooming services
- Food transport logistics
- Last-mile delivery startups
A $3.5M Boost to Fuel Modular Innovation
Also Capital and Chicago’s The 81 Collection recently led a $3.5M pre-seed funding round to accelerate Grounded’s vision. Annunziata, impressed by Shapiro’s engineering-driven approach, sees massive potential in disrupting the fragmented aftermarket van industry.
“You don’t realize how prevalent something is until you start thinking about it—then you see it everywhere,” Annunziata told TechCrunch. “Now, when I see those vans, I think: ‘We’re coming for this.’”
The Lego-Like Advantage: Customization at Scale
Grounded’s key innovation lies in its modular design system, allowing businesses to configure vans like building blocks. Shapiro explains:
“Everything becomes optional Lego blocks. The system we built for RVs works seamlessly for commercial applications—lower maintenance costs, sustainability, and flexibility.”
Current pilot programs include:
- A mobile health van for Hawaii’s Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
- A delivery-focused EV for a Brooklyn logistics startup
Why Investors Are Betting on Grounded
Despite a cautious climate for hard-tech investments, Grounded stood out due to:
- Strong founding team: Shapiro’s SpaceX pedigree and clear vision
- Engineering-first culture: Scalable, adaptable modular designs
- Market demand: Rising interest from small businesses transitioning to EVs
Annunziata, whose portfolio includes space tech firms like Varda Space Industries and K2 Space, called the investment a “no-brainer” given Shapiro’s execution capabilities.
The Road Ahead
Operating from a 13,000 sq ft Detroit warehouse near Michigan Central’s Newlab incubator, Grounded aims to dominate the long-tail market of small-scale van upfitters. With its modular approach, the startup is poised to redefine how businesses—from healthcare to hospitality—leverage electric mobility.
As Shapiro puts it: “We’re not just building vans. We’re enabling industries to electrify, one modular block at a time.”
📚 Featured Products & Recommendations
Discover our carefully selected products that complement this article’s topics:
🛍️ Featured Product 1: Studio Medicine Cabinet/Mirror
Image: Premium product showcase
Advanced studio medicine cabinet/mirror engineered for excellence with proven reliability and outstanding results.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading performance metrics
- Versatile application capabilities
- Robust build quality and materials
- Satisfaction guarantee and warranty
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
💡 Need Help Choosing? Contact our expert team for personalized product recommendations!
