Modernizing the Subgrid
The Billion-Dollar Industry No One Is Talking About
Private companies will spend over $2 trillion in 2025 powering and building the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—billions on identifying the “right” sources of energy like solar, wind, nuclear, natural gas, SMRs, geothermal, hydrogen, and grid-scale storage; trillions on the platforms that consume this power at scale—data centers, advanced manufacturing hubs, microgrids, and EV charging stations; and billions more on the technologies and products humans will use—AI, robotics, drones, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing, and electrified logistics.
The type of power we use, the size of the data center, and the scale of the technology won’t matter—unless the local subgrids where all of this will be deployed are modernized and organized. The U.S. subgrid was built over 100 years ago – meant for light bulbs and radios, not AI clusters, EV fleets, or constant, compute-driven demand. It needs to be dug up, updated, and reorganized for the future we’re building on top of it.
At Legacy, we recognized this bottleneck before most and wanted to be involved operationally to help solve it—but we also understood it wouldn’t be solved from the top down. It requires local execution. That’s why we’re deploying operational teams with construction-sector experience across high-growth energy markets to partner with the best family-owned businesses—teams that not only possess the technical skill and field expertise, but also share our vision. Our goal is to build the first network of independently operated companies that, together under one regional platform, will own the modernization and service layer of the subgrid and be responsible for activating the last mile of the energy equation. We truly believe this layer of operators will become the most valuable and indispensable players in the energy space.
What the Stack Means to Legacy
The Subgrid Service Stack refers to the companies that handle the utility coordination, the permitting, the mapping, trenching for conduit, substation site prep, fire suppression systems, drainage and grading, the duct bank construction, the final power connection, and much more. These aren’t optional services—they’re the last mile of modern energy. Without them, nothing gets powered. No AI cluster boots up. No charger gets installed. No grid gets upgraded.
At Legacy, we don’t see these companies as contractors. We see them as strategic assets—the operating layer of the Subgrid itself. That’s why we’ve structured our approach around five core segments of the Service Stack:
1. Grid & Utility Coordination
These firms coordinate with utilities, manage permits, and align stakeholders—ensuring that every project phase is sequenced properly and nothing gets held up in red tape.
2. Site Testing & Environmental Readiness
They assess whether a site is buildable—testing soils, flagging environmental risks, and clearing the path for subsurface development to begin safely and compliantly.
3. Surface Restoration & Traffic Control
These companies handle public safety, compliance, and restoration—ensuring that job sites remain safe and that infrastructure blends back into the environment when work is complete.
4. Civil & Subsurface Execution
The builders. The trenching crews. The duct bank experts. The grading teams. They physically construct the underground pathways that modern energy infrastructure relies on.
5. Systems Integration & Connection
These firms make it all functional—installing transformers, terminating conduit runs, and connecting systems to deliver usable power and data at the end point.
The Legacy Stack isn’t just about energy and power. We believe the companies within it will also play a critical role in delivering the foundational infrastructure required before any community, facility, or commercial site can support modern demands in water, connectivity, and climate resilience.
Why This Matters Now
The Subgrid Service Stack is controlled by small, family-owned businesses—highly skilled operators already performing the scopes needed to modernize and maintain underground energy infrastructure. But the industry is deeply fragmented. Contractors, utilities, technology platforms, and municipalities are all demanding the same thing: a reliable, integrated, end-to-end solution to subgrid modernization and organization. Right now, they’re forced to piece that solution together themselves.
Our goal is to fix that—state by state by building unified platforms that bring the Service Stack under one roof, providing a single, trusted point of execution for energy infrastructure rollouts. In doing so, we aim to unlock speed, coordination, and scale—while keeping these companies locally run and operationally strong.
Not a Roll-Up. A Regional Platform.
Our platform is not a roll-up. We don’t believe in the roll-up phenomenon. Our goal is to equip companies within our Subgrid Service Stack with the tools they need to grow, compete, and lead—without being stripped down or absorbed. They need capital, operating support, systems, branding, and a unified sales engine to meet the demand coming their way.. The Legacy platform is that engine—a sales and marketing funnel built to drive visibility, unlock access, and let operators focus on what they do best: run their business. Whether you're trenching duct banks, managing traffic, testing soils, or terminating conduit—being part of the platform means shared infrastructure, stronger pricing power, better access, and more growth.
The Path Forward
The layer of companies in the Service Stack is the most undercapitalized piece of the entire energy ecosystem—yet it holds the keys to unlocking the single greatest bottleneck to scaling energy infrastructure in America. We are excited to partner with these businesses and show them the full potential of their skill set.