We are pleased to welcome MARA, a leading energy technology company advancing the world's energy systems, to the MIT Media Lab as a new Member Organization. 

At a time when energy infrastructure and computational demand are converging, MARA is helping shape the future by monetizing excess energy and balancing the grid with flexible power demand. They also build, own, and operate power infrastructure to expand access to electricity and develop technology that drives efficiency across high-performance computing applications.

MARA co-locates Bitcoin mining data centers with power generation to convert energy that would otherwise be stranded, curtailed, or flared into a productive asset. By bringing demand to the source, this approach reduces curtailment and grid congestion, unlocking greater returns for energy assets worldwide. Moreover, MARA’s large, flexible data centers dynamically adjust their energy usage to help balance power demand with available supply, creating more resilient electricity grids. The company also builds advanced cooling technology designed to optimize performance and efficiency for high-performance computing applications. . Their innovations not only enhance data center operations, but also help stabilize energy grids, support renewable generation, and reduce emissions. Through efforts like heat recycling, MARA is also redefining how digital infrastructure can serve industrial and community needs alike.

"Joining the MIT Media Lab community is an incredible opportunity for us to engage with world-class researchers and thought leaders who are designing the future, not just predicting it. 

We see this collaboration as a chance to explore new ways that digital energy technologies like Bitcoin mining can be leveraged to advance energy systems. 

The Lab’s interdisciplinary approach is the ideal environment to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible." — Fred Thiel, Chairman and CEO, MARA

MARA’s mission—advancing the world's energy systems—resonates deeply with the Media Lab’s commitment to shaping ethical, equitable systems for the good of humanity. The alignment is clear across several of the Lab’s research themes, from Future Worlds, where sustainability and planetary wellbeing take center stage, to Decentralized Society and Life with AI, which explore how emerging technologies can empower people and communities. Both organizations value experimentation, transparency, and the pursuit of real-world impact.

“At the Media Lab, we believe in designing technologies that serve humanity and our planet—ethically, inclusively, and sustainably. MARA’s work at the intersection of digital infrastructure and energy systems aligns powerfully with our research. Together, we can prototype bold solutions for resilient energy futures and equitable access to technological progress.” — Dr. Dava Newman, Director, MIT Media Lab

Equally significant is MARA’s commitment to building a workplace and industry that reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The company invests in local communities, actively supports educational and open-source initiatives like Summer of Bitcoin and the Bitcoin Core developer community, and creates opportunities for underrepresented groups. Their focus on hiring veterans, fostering equitable access, and redefining sustainability in the compute sector underscores a values-driven approach that aligns with the Media Lab’s ethos.

As we welcome MARA to the Media Lab community, we look forward to learning from their experience and insight, and co-creating bold ideas and systems that reflect a shared vision of technological stewardship and global benefit. Together, we are laying the groundwork for resilient, sustainable infrastructures that serve people and the planet.