Schneider Electric’s venture arm, SE Ventures, has committed $1B to invest in startups that marry AI with the physical world. Since joining the firm in 2022, Amit Chaturvedy—formerly of Cisco—has steered a portfolio that spans data‑center infrastructure, grid resilience, robotics and industrial AI.

The firm argues that AI’s explosive growth is choking on energy constraints, making power a scarce resource alongside real‑estate and electrification gear. As compute demand climbs, SE Ventures backs companies like Hammerhead AI and Skild AI to boost data‑center efficiency and embed AI across industrial robotics.

With eight unicorns and 12 exits—including the recent sale of Fabric8Labs to Tokyo‑based TDK Corp—SE Ventures often takes board seats. Roughly 80 % of its startups maintain commercial ties to Schneider’s business units, positioning them as preferred partners for customers and, less frequently, as vendors.

Looking ahead, the firm sees a confluence of AI, energy efficiency and industrial adoption. It expects longer‑term solutions such as renewable‑powered data centers and smarter HVAC to ease peak demand, while short‑term gains will come from token‑cost optimizations and smarter software.