Madrone

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Maximizing compute via hyper-efficient cooling

Spring 2026Founded 20252 peopleMountain View, CA, USA

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Data Center Cooling InfrastructureHardwareHyperscalers and data center operators in warm climatesLow competition

Moat

Proprietary dew-point cooling technology and manufacturing expertise defensible for 5–7 years.

Key risk

High capex and long sales cycles; hyperscaler concentration and capex discipline post-slowdown.

Why now

Data center proliferation for AI/LLM inference and scarcity of water/power in key regions drive cooling innovation.

Competitors

Emerging space

About

Madrone builds cooling systems for data centers. In Texas, where most new sites are, Madrone can cool using 30% less power and water, thanks to novel dew-point cooling technology.

Founders · 2

Erik MeikeFounder

Apple

Founder at Madrone (YC P26). Previously Hardware Development Engineer at Apple, working on iPhone wireless power technologies across multiple years. Started career with early-stage hardware/robotics experience at JITx (automated PCB design) and PRENAV (autonomous quadcopter monitoring). Harvey Mudd Engineering.

LinkedIn ↗

Akshay TrikhaFounder

Berkeley

Founder/CEO at Madrone, where I'm making data center cooling more efficient. Prev. trained models with millions of inferences at QuantumScape, and to predict material properties at Berkeley.

LinkedIn ↗

Industrials EnergyArtificial IntelligenceHardwareClimateAdvanced MaterialsIndustrial

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