Drew Baglino's Heat Pump Startup: Because Two Startups in Two Years Isnt Overachieving Enough

What do you do after leaving a senior VP role at Tesla where you basically helped reinvent the wheel-well, the electric one? If youre Drew Baglino, you start not one but two startups in two years, because clearly, sleep is overrated. Enter Sadi Thermal Machines, Baglinos latest venture thats so stealthy even Batman would blush. Formed in June 2025, this company is named after Sadi Carnot, the 19th-century physicist who probably didnt envision his name being associated with a startup sharing office space with another startup. Oh, and did I mention its in Scotts Valley, California? Because nothing screams innovation like a location no one can find on a map.

What Exactly Is Sadi Thermal Machines Trying to Do?

Good question. While the startup is shrouded in more secrecy than Area 51, sources and LinkedIn sleuthing suggest its all about heat pumps. Yes, those magical devices that make your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer while making you question your electric bill. Baglino has already proven he knows a thing or two about thermal management systems from his Tesla days. The guy literally has a patent for a system involving three-way and four-way valves, which sounds more like plumbing wizardry than cutting-edge engineering. But hey, if you can use heat from an electric car motor to preheat a battery, youre probably qualified to make the next-gen heat pump.

Heron Power: The Startup Sibling You Forgot About

Before Sadi Thermal Machines, Baglino founded Heron Power, a company selling solid-state transformers. No, these arent robots in disguise, but they might as well be, because who actually knows what a solid-state transformer does? Sharing headquarters with Sadi, Heron seems to be the older, more mature sibling. While Sadi is still figuring out its place in the world, Heron is apparently already busy transforming... something. Lets just hope the rent is split evenly between the two, because nothing ruins sibling relationships faster than financial disputes.

Why the Name Sadi? A Thermodynamic Throwback

Baglinos choice to name his company after Sadi Carnot is like naming your band after a classical composer-its intellectual, sure, but a bit pretentious. Carnot was a pioneer of thermodynamics, the science behind heat engines and pumps. So the name does make sense, but it also feels like Baglino is setting the bar a little too high. I mean, you cant name your company after the father of thermodynamics and then not deliver a heat pump that can also moonlight as a personal chef. No pressure, Drew.

Tesla Alumni Assemble: The Old Gang Gets Back Together

Apparently, Sadi Thermal Machines is a bit of a Tesla reunion. Several former Tesla employees have joined the team, which makes you wonder: did they all leave Tesla to follow Baglino, or is this just a highly coincidental game of LinkedIn tag? Either way, its clear that Baglinos Rolodex is as powerful as Teslas battery packs. If anyone can build a dream team for thermal innovation, its the guy who helped create the octovalve system. Or maybe theyre just in it for the free coffee at the shared office space.

The Octovalve Legacy: From Tesla to Thermal Glory?

Speaking of the octovalve, lets not forget that Baglino had a hand in developing this engineering marvel for the Tesla Model Y. The system is so advanced it can harvest heat from one part of the car and use it to optimize another. Its like the Marie Kondo of thermal energy-does this heat spark joy? If not, it gets reassigned. With a track record like that, theres a good chance Sadi Thermal Machines could produce something game-changing, or at least a heat pump that doesnt make you feel like youre living in a wind tunnel.

Can Sadi Make Heat Pumps Cool?

Lets face it: heat pumps arent exactly the sexiest technology. Theyre functional, efficient, and... boring. But if anyone can make them the next big thing, its someone whos taken EVs from fringe tech to mainstream obsession. Heres hoping Sadi Thermal Machines can turn up the heat-or cool it down-with a product thats as practical as it is revolutionary. Just dont forget to give us a heads-up when its ready, Drew. Were still trying to figure out what Heron Power actually does.