Connexus Energy
Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1937, serving approximately 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties with regulated electricity distribution, AMI smart metering, and a broad portfolio of energy efficiency, EV, solar, and demand response programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1937
- HeadquartersAnoka, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Connexus Energy does
Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Ramsey, Minnesota, founded in 1937 and serving approximately 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties (Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Ramsey, Sherburne, and Washington). The cooperative owns and operates the electric distribution infrastructure in its exclusive service territory, deploying Honeywell (formerly Elster) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters on the public 900 MHz spectrum, AES-encrypted network security, and an ArcGIS-based outage management system. Member-facing digital channels include the My Account web portal, iOS and Android mobile applications, and Quick Pay for unauthenticated bill payment.
The company's product portfolio extends beyond distribution to include a broad energy management and demand response suite: SolarWise community solar, Peak-Time Rebate, Load Control, Dual Fuel, Wi-Fi PowerNap, time-of-day rates, and multiple electric vehicle programs (subscription charging, charger rebates, time-of-day EV rates, meter installation), as well as rebates for heat pumps, water heaters, electric bicycles, and electric riding mowers. The cooperative's business model is usage-based electricity billing to members, with rates set by an elected board of directors; excess margins are returned to members annually through Cash Back (capital credits), with $7.8 million distributed in 2025 applied to August bills based on annual purchases.
In 2024, Connexus received a $170 million grant from the USDA under the New ERA Program to fund renewable energy initiatives and was named to Fast Company's 2024 list of the World's Most Innovative Companies. Leadership transitioned to CEO Brian Burandt, supported by a refreshed executive team including a new VP of Technology. Connexus is governed as a cooperative with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no public ticker, and operates with 101-250 employees.
Connexus Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Connexus Energy
- Legal name
- Connexus Energy
- Website
- https://connexusenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1937
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1937, serving approximately 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties with regulated electricity distribution, AMI smart metering, and a broad portfolio of energy efficiency, EV, solar, and demand response programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Connexus Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Distribution (221122)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Interconnection, Permitting & Grid Services for DERs (EUAMAJAH), High-Voltage Electrical Systems (Switchgear, Transformers, Protection & Control) (EUAEAFAA), EV Charging & Fleet VPP Aggregation (Managed Charging, V2G, Depot/Highway) (EUAFAHAC), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC)
Keywords
Where Connexus Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Anoka
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Connexus Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Distribution Services: Connexus Energy generates revenue through electricity distribution services to 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties. Members pay for electricity based on usage, with rates established by the democratically elected board of directors. The cooperative structure means revenue is reinvested for member benefit, with Cash Back distributed based on annual purchases.
- Cash Back (Capital Credits): As a cooperative, Connexus returns excess revenue to members through Cash Back credits based on annual electric purchases. In 2025, $7.8 million was distributed to members. This is a core benefit of cooperative membership and replaces traditional profit distribution.
- Sales Tax Exemption Processing: Connexus administers Minnesota residential and commercial sales tax exemptions for qualifying members who use electricity as their primary heating source. This affects billing during November through April for residential members with electric heat.
- Energy Efficiency Programs and Rebates: Connexus offers various rebate programs including electric vehicle rebates, solar energy programs (SolarWise), heating and cooling rebates, and appliance rebates. These programs are funded through operations and help drive energy conservation among members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Cash Back distribution based on annual purchases |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Electric Bike Rebate |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Electric Riding Mower Rebate |
| Subscription | Monthly | Budget Billing Option |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Connexus Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties. The cooperative provides core electric distribution service supported by AMI smart metering infrastructure, an online member account portal, mobile applications, and a broad portfolio of energy efficiency, demand response, solar, electric vehicle, and heating/cooling rebate programs. Members also receive annual Cash Back distributions based on their electricity purchases under the cooperative ownership model.
Product overview
Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative offering electricity distribution as its core product, complemented by a comprehensive suite of energy management programs and digital services. The product portfolio includes AMI smart metering infrastructure, the My Account online member portal, Quick Pay bill payment, and a mobile app for iOS and Android. Energy programs include SolarWise (solar energy matching), Peak-Time Rebate (demand response), multiple EV programs (Self-Report, Subscription, Time of Day rates, and Charger Rebate), heating/cooling programs (Dual Fuel, Heat Storage, Air Source Heat Pump, GSHP, Ductless ASHP, Wi-Fi Thermostat), water heating rebates, load control, time-of-day pricing, and transportation incentives (E-bike and Electric Mower rebates). The Cash Back program annually returns profits to members. The company also provides outage management tools including an interactive ArcGIS-based outage map and text/email alert systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cash Back: A member benefit program where credits are applied to members' August bills based on annual electric purchases.
- SolarWise
- Peak-Time Rebate
- Your Most Powerful Membership
Products and services
- Electric Distribution Service Core electricity distribution service delivered to 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties, with rates established by the democratically elected board of directors.
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Companies that use Connexus Energy
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Connexus Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Connexus Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Co-op Innovation NetworkminorConnexus participated in a Co-op Innovation Network webinar panel on battery storage deployment in rural electric cooperatives. Chris Punt, Director of Engineering, discussed the battery project at the Vadnais Heights substation.
- CATAN StudiominorConnexus hosted the CATAN Solar Solstice Celebration in June 2024 to celebrate the release of CATAN - New Energies, a board game featuring energy-themed gameplay. The event showcased the solar garden and promoted renewable energy education.
- Great River EnergycoreGreat River Energy is a power supply cooperative that provides electricity to Connexus Energy and other distribution cooperatives. Connexus announced approval of new customer agreements with Great River Energy for power supply arrangements, indicating a strategic supplier relationship.
- Honeywell (formerly Elster)coreHoneywell manufactures the AMI smart meters used by Connexus Energy. These meters use the public 900 MHz spectrum for two-way communication and are a core component of the advanced metering infrastructure. Honeywell meters comply with FCC and international requirements for radio frequency emissions.
- Gopher State One CallminorGopher State One Call is a nonprofit organization that provides the 811 'Call Before You Dig' service in Minnesota. Connexus participates in this damage prevention program to coordinate underground facility location before excavation.
- Prime Advertising & DesignminorMinnesota web design company that designed and developed the Connexus Energy website using the Concrete5 content management system.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Connexus Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- CoBank: National cooperative bank that provides wholesale lending and capital to electric cooperatives including those in the Minnesota cooperative network. Critical capital partner whose financing terms shape Connexus' ability to fund grid modernization and renewable investments.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): National trade association representing more than 900 electric cooperatives. Sets cooperative standards, advocates for federal policy including the New ERA Program that awarded Connexus its $170M grant, and provides the broader ecosystem context for the cooperative model.
Broad incumbents
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Largest electric distribution cooperative in the United States, serving more than 1 million members across central Texas. Same cooperative model at substantially greater scale, providing a benchmark for mature cooperative operations and capital deployment.
- Cobb EMC: Large member-owned electric cooperative in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. Comparable regulated cooperative distribution model with comparable AMI, EV, and demand response programs, serving a similarly suburban member base.
Direct peers
- Stearns Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Stearns, Todd, and surrounding counties in central Minnesota. Comparable cooperative structure, distribution scale, and energy efficiency program portfolio.
- Dakota Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving portions of Dakota County and surrounding areas in Minnesota. Operates under identical cooperative structure with similar AMI, renewable programs, and member service offerings.
- Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association: Touchstone Energy cooperative serving Wright and Hennepin counties in Minnesota. Comparable member-owned distribution model, similar scale and program offerings including SolarWise-style community solar and demand response programs.
- Great River Energy: Generation and transmission cooperative that supplies wholesale power to Connexus and 27 other distribution cooperatives in Minnesota. Same cooperative business model, same Minnesota service territory, and a directly contracted power supply relationship make it the most operationally comparable peer.
- East Central Energy: Minnesota distribution cooperative serving Cambridge, Braham, and surrounding areas. Identical cooperative business model with similar AMI deployments, rebate programs, and member-owned governance.
Regional players
- Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): Community-owned electric utility serving the Sacramento region. Operates with a comparable customer-owned governance model and aggressive renewable energy programs (SolarShares) that mirror Connexus' SolarWise offering, though as a municipal utility rather than a cooperative.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Connexus Energy social profiles
Digital presenceConnexus Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Connexus Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Connexus Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Connexus Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Connexus Energy
What does Connexus Energy do?
Connexus Energy is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to 150,000 residential and business members across eight Minnesota counties. The cooperative provides core electric distribution service supported by AMI smart metering infrastructure, an online member account portal, mobile applications, and a broad portfolio of energy efficiency, demand response, solar, electric vehicle, and heating/cooling rebate programs. Members also receive annual Cash Back distributions based on their electricity purchases under the cooperative ownership model.
Is Connexus Energy a public or private company?
Connexus Energy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Connexus Energy founded?
Connexus Energy was founded in 1937. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Connexus Energy based?
Connexus Energy is headquartered in Anoka, United States, in the North America region.
How does Connexus Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Distribution Services are the primary driver. The others are cash Back (Capital Credits), sales Tax Exemption Processing and energy Efficiency Programs and Rebates.
Who are Connexus Energy's main competitors?
Others on record are CoBank and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Broad incumbents are Pedernales Electric Cooperative and Cobb EMC. Direct peers are Stearns Electric Association, Dakota Electric Association, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, Great River Energy and East Central Energy. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is listed as a regional player.
Does Connexus Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Connexus Energy.
What industry is Connexus Energy in?
Connexus Energy's product category is Electric Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities), with a secondary code of EUAMAJAE, Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries). Its NAICS code is 22112 and its SIC code is 4911.