Luis Medina Rivas (Tether)
Overview
Luis Medina Rivas is the co-founder and CEO of Tether, a startup focused on turning electric vehicles (EVs) into virtual power plants to support grid stability and enhance energy efficiency. With a background in Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering, Medina has significant experience in the energy sector, having previously worked in various engineering roles at companies like Florida Power & Light, General Electric (GE) Power, GE Solar, and Northvolt. Tether was founded in 2023 and is headquartered in Barcelona. The company leverages the idle time of EVs—parked 95% of the time—to coordinate their charging, effectively creating a massive, decentralized battery to stabilize the grid.
Recent Developments
- July 2025: Tether secured €1.3 million in pre-seed funding to accelerate its technology and expand partnerships. This investment round was led by Draper B1 and K Fund, with support from Enzo Ventures, Inclimo Climate Tech Fund, Zero4Climate, and COREangels Climate. The funding aims to boost Tether's expansion in the Nordic markets and enhance grid reliability through its innovative technology. [1]
- June 2024: Tether launched several pilots involving major car manufacturers and charge point operators in its target regions, partnering with EV brands like Audi and Zeekr. These initiatives aim to test and optimize the company's AI-driven approach to EV charging. [1]
- May 2024: In a continued effort to support grid stability, Tether announced the reinforcement of its partnerships with charge point operators and vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), offering a white-label product to integrate smart charging features. [2]
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luis Medina Rivas |
| Born | Mérida, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Occupation | Engineer, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Co-founder and CEO of Tether |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
| Education | Electrical Engineering, Two Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering |
Early Life and Education
Luis Medina Rivas was born in Mérida, Mexico. He first pursued his passion for engineering by studying Electrical Engineering and later furthered his education by obtaining two Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering. His academic journey laid a strong foundation for his career in the energy sector. Following his formal education, he worked as a solar design engineer at General Electric Solar in the United States, which fostered his commitment to renewable energy and the decarbonization of the power grid. He also completed a management course at ESADE Business School in Barcelona, which equipped him with essential entrepreneurship skills. [3]
Career and Notable Achievements
Luis Medina Rivas's career trajectory in the energy sector is notable for several significant milestones:
- 2011–2015: Worked at Florida Power & Light, contributing to the enhancement of renewable energy projects.
- 2016–2018: Held engineering roles at GE Power and GE Solar, focusing on integrating renewable energy solutions.
- 2019–2020: At Northvolt in Sweden, he served as an Integrated Systems Battery Engineer, where he honed his understanding of battery technology and its applications in large-scale settings.
- 2021: Founded Tether, utilizing his expertise to transform the electric grid's reliance on EVs as energy sources.
Current Work and Impact
As the CEO of Tether, Luis Medina Rivas is currently focused on scaling the startup's innovative technology across Europe. Tether aims to leverage parked EVs to form a "virtual power plant," effectively using these vehicles' battery capacities to stabilize power grids. The company's approach supports the reduction of CO2 emissions and promotes the use of clean energy. Rivas's vision for Tether aligns with global sustainability goals, positioning EVs as crucial tools in the broader energy transition.
Conclusion
Luis Medina Rivas is making significant strides in the renewable energy sector through his role at Tether. His innovative approach to using electric vehicles as virtual power plants has the potential to transform energy markets and contribute significantly to global sustainability objectives. As Tether continues to expand its reach and impact, Medina's leadership and vision will remain pivotal to its success and the broader narrative of energy transition.