K. R. Sridhar
Summary
K. R. Sridhar is Bloom Energy’s co-founder, chief executive officer, and chairman, roles he has held since the company’s early formation in the early 2000s. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/team/kr-sridhar/?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Sridhar is an engineer and scientist who previously served as a professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering and director of the Space Technologies Laboratory at the University of Arizona. At the laboratory, he led research programs connected to NASA’s Mars exploration efforts, including work on converting Martian atmospheric gases into oxygen for propulsion and life support. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Madras and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering and PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/team/kr-sridhar/?utm_source=openai)) Sridhar co-founded Bloom Energy and has led the company as CEO and chairman since 2002. Under his leadership, Bloom commercialized its solid oxide fuel cell platform, known as the Bloom Energy Server, and expanded into electrolyzers and onsite power applications. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and serves on the board of C3.ai, as well as on academic and sustainability advisory boards. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/team/kr-sridhar/?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Co-founded Bloom Energy and has led the company as CEO and chairman since 2002. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1664703/000162828025016206/be-20250402.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Oversaw the development and commercialization of Bloom’s solid oxide fuel cell platform and Bloom Energy Server. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/company/?utm_source=openai))
- Built Bloom from an early-stage technology company into a commercial supplier with customers including Google, Walmart, Coca-Cola, and FedEx. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/company/?utm_source=openai))
- Led Bloom through its 2018 public listing and later expansion into electrolyzers and onsite power for commercial and data-center customers. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom_Energy?utm_source=openai))
- Was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to energy and engineering technology. ([bloomenergy.com](https://www.bloomenergy.com/team/kr-sridhar/?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Bloom and certain executives and directors faced shareholder litigation alleging that the company’s IPO disclosures understated construction delays and issues involving Energy Server efficiency; the case was settled for $3 million without an admission of wrongdoing. ([app.midpage.ai](https://app.midpage.ai/document/roberts-v-bloom-energy-corporation-10078939?utm_source=openai))
- Bloom’s filings continue to identify risks involving product reliability, warranty and service costs, manufacturing defects, supply chains, customer financing, and the need to scale production profitably. ([s29.q4cdn.com](https://s29.q4cdn.com/452919417/files/doc_downloads/govDocs/2023/Bloom-Energy-Form-10-K-2022.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Bloom’s use of natural gas in some fuel cell deployments has drawn criticism from environmental groups and local opponents who question emissions, permitting, and whether such projects should be treated as clean energy. ([thirdact.org](https://thirdact.org/new-mexico/2026/07/22/prc-hearing-on-july-28th-letter-to-legislators/?utm_source=openai))
- Sridhar’s long tenure as founder, CEO, and chairman gives him strong institutional influence, but it also concentrates strategic authority in one leader and makes succession planning an important governance consideration.