New and recently funded Energy Startups
1
Country: UK | Funding: $677.1M
Newcleo develops small modular reactors (SMRs) that uses MOX fuel technology to reprocess spent uranium from conventional nuclear power plants. The 200 MW reactor uses lead as a coolant. This is an ultra-compact module with improved energy density compared to other technologies. MOX fuel, which stands for Mixed Pu-U Oxides consists of depleted uranium (a byproduct of the enrichment process in modern reactors) and plutonium (which is extracted from spent nuclear fuel). The company intends to use already available nuclear material in France in synergy with the in-country environment. Newcleo plans to install the first 30 MW lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR-AS-30) in Savigny-en-Véron and Beaumont-en-Véron.
Newcleo develops small modular reactors (SMRs) that uses MOX fuel technology to reprocess spent uranium from conventional nuclear power plants. The 200 MW reactor uses lead as a coolant. This is an ultra-compact module with improved energy density compared to other technologies. MOX fuel, which stands for Mixed Pu-U Oxides consists of depleted uranium (a byproduct of the enrichment process in modern reactors) and plutonium (which is extracted from spent nuclear fuel). The company intends to use already available nuclear material in France in synergy with the in-country environment. Newcleo plans to install the first 30 MW lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR-AS-30) in Savigny-en-Véron and Beaumont-en-Véron.
2
Country: France | Funding: $2.1B
Orano offers solutions for every stage of nuclear energy production: from uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, reprocessing, logistics and engineering to decommissioning and dismantling. The company operates uranium mines in Canada, Kazakhstan and Niger and is one of the world's leading uranium producers. It's offering competitive production costs and advanced recovery technologies. In addition to mining, the company carries out exploration and development projects in uranium-bearing zones, as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of former mines. Orano is also a world leader in uranium processing, ensuring its customers the efficient, safe and responsible management of spent nuclear fuel. By recovering 96% of recycled materials (95% uranium and 1% plutonium) from spent fuel Orano can reprocess the material and produce new fuel, such as mixed oxide fuel (MOX) for nuclear reactors.
Orano offers solutions for every stage of nuclear energy production: from uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, reprocessing, logistics and engineering to decommissioning and dismantling. The company operates uranium mines in Canada, Kazakhstan and Niger and is one of the world's leading uranium producers. It's offering competitive production costs and advanced recovery technologies. In addition to mining, the company carries out exploration and development projects in uranium-bearing zones, as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of former mines. Orano is also a world leader in uranium processing, ensuring its customers the efficient, safe and responsible management of spent nuclear fuel. By recovering 96% of recycled materials (95% uranium and 1% plutonium) from spent fuel Orano can reprocess the material and produce new fuel, such as mixed oxide fuel (MOX) for nuclear reactors.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $1.5B
TerraPower is developing compact modular nuclear reactors with a closed fuel cycle. Its goal is to make nuclear energy safer and cheaper, while also minimizing radioactive waste. It was co-founded by Bill Gates and partners with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Its fast-neutron reactor Natrium has capacity up to 345 MW and includes molten salt heat storage system. Its advantage is its flexible power output, allowing it to respond to fluctuating demand when combined with renewable energy sources. It uses liquid sodium as a coolant and highly enriched uranium (HALEU) as fuel (for now the company is experiencing supply issues). The demonstration reactor project is expected to be operational by 2030.
TerraPower is developing compact modular nuclear reactors with a closed fuel cycle. Its goal is to make nuclear energy safer and cheaper, while also minimizing radioactive waste. It was co-founded by Bill Gates and partners with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. Its fast-neutron reactor Natrium has capacity up to 345 MW and includes molten salt heat storage system. Its advantage is its flexible power output, allowing it to respond to fluctuating demand when combined with renewable energy sources. It uses liquid sodium as a coolant and highly enriched uranium (HALEU) as fuel (for now the company is experiencing supply issues). The demonstration reactor project is expected to be operational by 2030.
4
Country: USA | Funding: $1.7B
X-energy produces the Xe-100 - small modular nuclear reactor. It is a fourth-generation, 80-megawatt high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR), boasting (according to the company) high stability, efficiency, reliability and safety. The reactor can be scaled into 4-pack power plant thanks to its modular design. Its construction maximizes the use of off-the-shelf components, that can be delivered to the site using existing road and rail routes. The reactor does not rely on any active systems, electrical power or human intervention for safety, i.e. it shuts down and dissipates heat passively (as a result of the low power density). X-energy also produces TRISO-X fuel, which can withstand extreme temperatures. The company also aims to produce power systems for lunar bases.
X-energy produces the Xe-100 - small modular nuclear reactor. It is a fourth-generation, 80-megawatt high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR), boasting (according to the company) high stability, efficiency, reliability and safety. The reactor can be scaled into 4-pack power plant thanks to its modular design. Its construction maximizes the use of off-the-shelf components, that can be delivered to the site using existing road and rail routes. The reactor does not rely on any active systems, electrical power or human intervention for safety, i.e. it shuts down and dissipates heat passively (as a result of the low power density). X-energy also produces TRISO-X fuel, which can withstand extreme temperatures. The company also aims to produce power systems for lunar bases.
5
Country: USA | Funding: $469.6M
NuScale Power has developed small modular reactor NuScale Power Module (NPM) - that was the first (during last 20 years) to receive design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NPM design is based on proven pressurized water reactor technology and was developed to power power plants, district heating, desalination and industrial hydrogen production. The 77-megawatt reactor weighs 700 tons, allowing it to be shipped from the factory in three sections by truck, rail or barge. NuScale, in partnership with TVA and ENTRA1 Energy, is implementing a pioneering 6-GW SMR program to provide reliable, carbon-free electricity for the future of the seven-state TVA region. The company also established the Energy Research Center - an innovative educational environment offering users hands-on opportunities to apply nuclear science and engineering principles to simulated, real-world nuclear power plant scenarios.
NuScale Power has developed small modular reactor NuScale Power Module (NPM) - that was the first (during last 20 years) to receive design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NPM design is based on proven pressurized water reactor technology and was developed to power power plants, district heating, desalination and industrial hydrogen production. The 77-megawatt reactor weighs 700 tons, allowing it to be shipped from the factory in three sections by truck, rail or barge. NuScale, in partnership with TVA and ENTRA1 Energy, is implementing a pioneering 6-GW SMR program to provide reliable, carbon-free electricity for the future of the seven-state TVA region. The company also established the Energy Research Center - an innovative educational environment offering users hands-on opportunities to apply nuclear science and engineering principles to simulated, real-world nuclear power plant scenarios.
6
Country: USA | Funding: $2.3B
Form Energy develops and manufactures multi-day energy storage systems based on iron-air batteries. These batteries are capable cost-effectively store energy for 100 consecutive hours (unlike lithium-ion batteries, which can only provide energy for a few hours). The batteries are made from safe, inexpensive and abundant materials: iron, water and air. Form Energy operates its own large-scale battery manufacturing facility in West Virginia. The company also develops software for modeling renewable energy systems that take into account modern energy market.
Form Energy develops and manufactures multi-day energy storage systems based on iron-air batteries. These batteries are capable cost-effectively store energy for 100 consecutive hours (unlike lithium-ion batteries, which can only provide energy for a few hours). The batteries are made from safe, inexpensive and abundant materials: iron, water and air. Form Energy operates its own large-scale battery manufacturing facility in West Virginia. The company also develops software for modeling renewable energy systems that take into account modern energy market.
7
Country: USA
City Labs mission aims to validate a tritium-powered electrical source for satellites and lunar systems that could operate where solar power falls short. It already launched the first commercial demonstration of a nuclear-powered satellite technology, testing a power source that could allow future spacecraft and autonomous sensors to operate for years without relying exclusively on solar panels or conventional batteries.
City Labs mission aims to validate a tritium-powered electrical source for satellites and lunar systems that could operate where solar power falls short. It already launched the first commercial demonstration of a nuclear-powered satellite technology, testing a power source that could allow future spacecraft and autonomous sensors to operate for years without relying exclusively on solar panels or conventional batteries.
8
Country: USA | Funding: $1.8M
Valar Atomics develops small modular nuclear reactors (SMNRs) using proven high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology combined with safe TRISO fuel. HTGRs are optimized to produce high-quality process heat which is used for industrial and chemical applications, providing nearby partners with affordable, abundant and clean energy. Using TRISO-coated fuel particles and helium coolant, the HTGRs passively remove decay heat without active systems or operator intervention. This design minimizes the risk of core damage even in severe accident scenarios. The company plans to mass-produce the reactors and deploy them at so-called gigasites, where they will power AI data centers, industrial facilities, and other customers.
Valar Atomics develops small modular nuclear reactors (SMNRs) using proven high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology combined with safe TRISO fuel. HTGRs are optimized to produce high-quality process heat which is used for industrial and chemical applications, providing nearby partners with affordable, abundant and clean energy. Using TRISO-coated fuel particles and helium coolant, the HTGRs passively remove decay heat without active systems or operator intervention. This design minimizes the risk of core damage even in severe accident scenarios. The company plans to mass-produce the reactors and deploy them at so-called gigasites, where they will power AI data centers, industrial facilities, and other customers.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $770M
Antora Energy is electrifying heavy industry with thermal energy storage for zero-carbon heat and power.
Antora Energy is electrifying heavy industry with thermal energy storage for zero-carbon heat and power.
10
Country: USA | Funding: $2.3B
Base Power manufactures and installs large home batteries up to 40 kWh, providing 36 hours of backup power. Batteries help save on electricity costs while supporting the grid. The battery charges when energy is cheapest - at night. During peak demand, the Base battery network helps balance city grid by acting as an energy supplier. Base's AI system monitors weather and predicts power outages to protect the entire grid. It also remotely monitor battery's breaks. Homeowners can also control the battery using a mobile app. Base Power says it has grown its battery fleet to more than 500 megawatt hours in Texas and Illinois.
Base Power manufactures and installs large home batteries up to 40 kWh, providing 36 hours of backup power. Batteries help save on electricity costs while supporting the grid. The battery charges when energy is cheapest - at night. During peak demand, the Base battery network helps balance city grid by acting as an energy supplier. Base's AI system monitors weather and predicts power outages to protect the entire grid. It also remotely monitor battery's breaks. Homeowners can also control the battery using a mobile app. Base Power says it has grown its battery fleet to more than 500 megawatt hours in Texas and Illinois.
