As U.S. doubles down on power infrastructure, Utilen raises seed funding to accelerate execution.
Utilen is focused on improving how utilities and suppliers coordinate during grid expansion.
Minneapolis, MN - January 7, 2026 - Planned power infrastructure investment will total $1.4 trillion from 2025 to 2030 — double the amount invested in the prior 10 years.
But there's a major threat to the nation’s ability to keep pace with the AI arms race that rarely gets attention: Utilities and suppliers are still using manual, outdated processes like email to communicate static information, making it harder to orchestrate the ever-changing details within the supply chain as demand accelerates.
“If the model doesn’t change, it doesn't just impact the reliability of our current electric grid. It puts the U.S. at risk of losing the AI arms race," said Sean Dunham, CEO of Utilen, a Minneapolis-based coordination platform that leverages AI to help utilities and suppliers execute complex infrastructure projects more efficiently.
That reality helped drive the close of a seed funding round for Utilen on Dec. 21. Backed by prominent industry leaders from across utilities, EPCs, and manufacturing, the round came together in just 50 days, demonstrating the urgent need for systemic change in how the sector collaborates. Utilen plans to bring its platform to market in 2026.
“Utilen's deep understanding of the industry, plus their software expertise, is what makes them stand out," said Philippe Corriveau, President of MindCore Technologies, an industry manufacturer of substation disconnect switches. “I see clear benefits right away for our operations and for the utilities we work with.”
Utilen brings customers’ and suppliers’ shared project information into one secure place so it is immediately available to the people responsible for delivering infrastructure projects, rather than being scattered across emails, phone calls, and disconnected systems — allowing teams to act without waiting days for responses.
“Imagine logging into your bank account and being told, ‘I don’t know where your money is or when it will be available, but we truly value our partnership with you,'" Dunham said. "That lack of visibility wouldn’t be acceptable anywhere else. Why should it be acceptable for critical infrastructure?”
About Utilen:
Utilen is a Minneapolis-based technology company focused on improving coordination between utility infrastructure stakeholders. The platform helps utilities, EPCs, manufacturers, and suppliers access shared project and material information in real time, instead of manually routing information back and forth. The company was founded in 2025 by Sean Dunham and Christian Cares.
For more information, visit utilen.com Media Contact: media@utilen.com