Future in the Making Ep #3: The Startup Transforming Electric Vans into Mobile Businesses

Grounded is a Detroit-based startup redefining the future of sustainable mobility with its modular electric camper vans and commercial EV platforms.

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In episode #3 of 'Future in the Making', Chris Nolte - the co-founder of Bloom - talks to Sam Shapiro, Grounded's Founder and CEO.

Founded in 2022, Grounded launched its first product in 2023 and quickly expanded beyond recreational vehicles to develop a diverse fleet of modular vans designed for multiple industries. Today, their offerings include mobile medical clinics, dental vans, pet grooming units, food trucks, refrigerated vehicles, command centers, and offices—all fully electric and built to be highly customizable

Sam’s journey began in an unlikely place: a 200-square-foot Manhattan apartment. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he converted a van into a personal camper and lived on the road for six months, traveling to national parks across the U.S. This experience sparked the idea of creating electric RVs that combine mobility, sustainability, and comfort. Grounded’s initial mission focused on outdoor adventure, but quickly evolved to include commercial applications, enabling professionals and businesses to operate from anywhere

Grounded’s competitive edge comes from applying a software-engineering mindset to hardware development. Sam, with experience as a software engineer and a stint at SpaceX, borrowed agile practices to accelerate product iteration. In less than three years, Grounded reached its third-generation platform—an extraordinary pace in the hardware world. This approach has allowed them to expand across industries while keeping vehicles flexible, cost-efficient, and adaptable

At the heart of Grounded’s strategy is modularity. Using a configurator tool, customers can design their van layouts with Lego-like building blocks, selecting from pre-engineered components to fit their unique needs. This approach delivers customization at scale, providing far more flexibility than traditional RV or commercial vehicle manufacturers. It also unlocks an “ecosystem effect,” where innovations in one vertical (such as healthcare) can cross-pollinate into others (like food service or education)

Grounded’s vans eliminate the need for noisy, polluting generators by offering massive onboard batteries—up to 173 kWh—and rooftop solar panels. This clean energy solution enables long work shifts, from food truck operations to mobile healthcare, without reliance on fossil fuels. Beyond climate benefits, the noise-free, zero-emission experience creates healthier, quieter environments in cities, festivals, and communities

Each van is equipped with an onboard computer connected to appliances, batteries, and the vehicle itself. Through a mobile app and web dashboard, users can manage energy, climate, and systems remotely—similar to the Tesla app but designed for RVs and mobile businesses. This integration makes Grounded’s vans not only sustainable but also technologically advanced and user-friendly

Grounded’s vision is to become the leading provider of electric modular vans for diverse commercial applications. Over the next five years, the company aims to produce hundreds of vehicles annually, helping accelerate the global shift toward sustainable mobility and electrification. By blending modular design, renewable energy, and a bold vision for mobile living and working, Grounded is proving that Detroit remains at the heart of EV startup innovation