The Californer - Growth Factory's Early AI Bet on OnSight Fuels Nextracker Deal & Solar Robotics Growth

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Early-stage VC firm's backing helped transform a whiteboard idea into a $40M AI and robotics acquisition fueling clean energy innovation

ROCKLIN, Calif. - Californer -- Growth Factory Ventures, a Northern California-based early-stage venture fund announced its pivotal role in the success of OnSight Technology, whose recent acquisition by Nextracker underscores how AI and robotics are transforming the global energy sector.

As the first institutional investor in OnSight, Growth Factory Ventures provided the early capital and strategic support that enabled the startup to develop and validate its AI-driven robotic inspection and fire detection systems for solar power plants. That backing proved critical in helping OnSight secure traction, build technical credibility, and ultimately attract a major acquisition as part of Nextracker's $40 million expansion into AI and robotics.

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"Our mission has always been to bet early on bold founders tackling hard problems," said Rick Spencer, General Partner at Growth Factory Ventures. "OnSight's vision to apply AI and robotics to the solar industry was risky and game-changing. Early capital and belief made this outcome possible, and we're proud to have been part of the journey that led to this acquisition."

"Growth Factory was the first to see potential in our vision when it was still just an idea on the whiteboard," said Derek Chase, Founder of OnSight Technology. "Their early backing not only gave us the resources to move forward but also the validation we needed to attract partners and customers. We wouldn't be here without their belief in us from the start."

The OnSight acquisition strengthens Nextracker's end-to-end solar technology platform by bringing predictive diagnostics and real-time robotics to utility-scale projects worldwide. The deal comes at a moment when AI adoption is accelerating across industries. Amazon alone is investing more than $200 billion into AI for logistics and manufacturing, while analysts note that 25% of open jobs today already require AI skills.

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"This acquisition reflects a larger shift we're seeing in the economy," Spencer added. "Companies that can embed AI to improve productivity and resilience are emerging as leaders, whether in solar, finance, or healthcare. Venture capital's role is to find these founders early and give them the support they need to shape the future."

Growth Factory Ventures, which has invested in more than 70 startups since launching its first fund in 2021, continues to double down on founders leveraging AI to drive innovation in sectors from clean energy to life sciences.

Learn more at www.growthfactory.vc