Jackery Power (2012), deep dive into the history

Social trends

So, we’ve developed a Rev 1 of an AI powered social listening tool and here are some of the results. Social listening is a fancy way of saying that it looks for trends among Reddits, Facebook Groups etc. based on keywords.

Anyway, here is some of what we see:

The Outdoors Crowd - General Outdoor Trends

1. Hiking Tech Integration

• Growth in GPS gear and smart insoles.

2. Trail Backpack Upgrades

• REI and Osprey packs seeing uptick in reviews.

3. Glamping Experience Premiumization

• High-income traveler segment driving demand.

The Outdoors Crowd - Camping Gear Trends

1. Tent Storage Complaints Surge

• 67 Meta Group mentions.

• Frustrations around car space and tent bulk.

2. Camp Kitchen Kits Too Bulky?

• 51 forum threads logged.

• Brands: Camp Chef, Stanley.

3. Focus on Lightweight Gear

• User shift toward minimalist packing setups.

More on this in the coming weeks, as we evolve the tool.

White Paper

I mentioned the development of a White Paper which will delve into selling D2C in sports and outdoors - what are the key benchmarks, P&L expectations and much more detail - for example, how to pre-validate an idea using AI etc. before you even develop a prototype or launch a service.

So, an A to Z of the process from our experiences. So, another poll - please take a second…

⚡ Jackery: How a California Garage Brand Became a Global Powerhouse

If you’ve ever been camping and plugged your coffee grinder, drone, or entire van into a Jackery unit, you’ve experienced a little piece of outdoor tech history. Quietly and quickly, Jackery has become the go-to name in portable power—from national parks to film sets to hurricane zones.

But how did it all start? And how did it scale so fast without the Silicon Valley playbook of VC rounds and splashy IPOs?

Let’s rewind.

🌱 Two Founders, One Vision

Jackery was founded back in 2012 by two entrepreneurs—Anson Liang and York Wu—in Fremont, California.

Anson had a background in product design and consumer electronics. York came from Apple, where he spent years managing quality for iPods and iPhones. Their goal wasn’t complicated: create portable, clean, user-friendly power for people who live, work, and explore outside.

What they noticed was simple: people wanted to unplug from the grid, but not from their gear. Whether it was photographers shooting in the wild or families trying to keep food cold on road trips, reliable power just wasn’t mobile enough.

So they built it.

The First Breakthrough

In 2016, they launched the first Jackery Explorer—a sleek, lithium-powered box that felt more like high-end tech than outdoor hardware. It was lightweight, dependable, and solar-compatible.

It was also exactly what the market didn’t know it needed.

From there, growth was steady. Jackery released solar panels, upgraded “Pro” models, and built a community around the product: overlanders, vanlifers, campers, and even first responders. Word-of-mouth spread fast.

By 2020, they had sold over a million units. And that was just the beginning.

Scaling Up—Without Selling Out

As demand exploded, Jackery leaned on a major partner to help scale: a Shenzhen-based energy company called Hello Tech. It wasn’t your typical private equity deal. Hello Tech had deep experience in batteries, and its founder—Z. Sun—also happened to be a former Apple battery engineer.

With Hello Tech’s support, Jackery was able to keep control of its identity and leadership while supercharging R&D, manufacturing, and global logistics.

Anson Liang remained at the helm, leading the brand’s vision. York Wu, who helped set the company’s early technical foundation, stepped back after the first few years.

Going Global

Today, Jackery is everywhere.

They’ve sold more than 5 million units. Their annual revenue from portable energy systems topped $385 million in 2024, with the U.S. being their largest market. Their solar business added another $100 million on top.

You can find Jackery on Amazon, at REI and Home Depot, in RV dealerships, and inside off-grid cabins. Whether you're on a job site or in the backcountry, they’ve quietly become the Kleenex of portable power.

Engineering Meets Ecosystem

What makes Jackery more than just a gadget company is how deeply they’ve invested in technology. The company holds nearly 300 patents across battery chemistry, smart monitoring systems, safety, and solar integration.

They’ve also been an early mover on next-generation battery innovation—namely sodium-ion. In 2023, they partnered to develop these lower-cost, temperature-resilient batteries. While still early, sodium-ion could be a major step forward in durability and price, especially for cold-weather expeditions.

Meanwhile, Jackery is pushing into whole-home systems, RV kits, and marine power units—bigger power, built for movement.

🌱 Values Matter: Sustainability & Community

Jackery isn’t just about engineering. The company’s brand ethos is rooted in outdoor living and sustainability.

They were one of the first in their category to release a verified ESG report. They’ve donated thousands of units to support communities hit by wildfires, hurricanes, and power grid failures. And they’ve partnered with environmental nonprofits—from reforestation to ocean cleanup.

In 2025, they launched a partnership to pull 15,000 pounds of plastic from the ocean. It’s not just press—it’s part of how they see their role: helping people go further, cleaner, and more responsibly.

📦 How They Sell

Jackery’s approach to distribution has been a masterclass in balance. They’ve built strong direct-to-consumer channels online. But they’ve also leaned into retail, big-box stores, and even institutional sales.

Here’s how they reach their customers:

• Their own web stores in North America, Europe, and Asia

• Massive presence on Amazon

• Placement in outdoor and electronics stores

• Partnerships with RV and boating brands

• NGO and emergency-prep programs

Whether you’re buying your first 240Wh unit or equipping an overlanding rig with solar and a 3000Wh battery bank, Jackery has figured out how to meet you where you are.

⚠️ The Road Ahead

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Like any consumer hardware company, Jackery faces challenges:

• Margins are tight, and innovation is becoming very expensive

• Battery supply chains are volatile and increasingly politicized

• Competition is rising—EcoFlow, Goal Zero, Anker, and others are in the fight

• Next-gen battery tech is promising, but also unproven at scale

• Tariffs!

Still, Jackery seems well-positioned. They’ve built trust, they’ve built a brand, and they’ve built an ecosystem. That’s not easy to copy, and could be perceived as a big barrier to entry for others trying to do so.

What’s Next?

In the next year or two, expect Jackery to lean further into home backup, solar roofs, EV integration, and possibly subscription power-as-a-service models. As more people leave the grid—or just want a backup plan—Jackery is aiming to be the battery in your garage, your van, and your tent. And their website reflects this already..

And their bet on sodium-ion batteries? That could change the entire category.

Final Thoughts

Jackery’s story is proof that you don’t need to go public, take venture money, or make a lot of noise to build a great company. You need a real problem, a smart team, the right partnerships, and relentless product focus.

The irony is that they started in a garage in California with a dream to help people unplug—and they ended up building one of the most trusted power brands in the world.

Not bad for a box with a handle and a plug.