Kairos Power vs TerraPower
October 15, 2025
Kairos Power ($629M)
Kairos Power develops an advanced reactor technology that leverages TRI-Structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel in pebble form in combination with a low-pressure fluoride salt coolant.
TerraPower ($1.4B)
TerraPower focuses on developing a sustainable and economic nuclear energy system while reducing proliferation risks.
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Top 34 Nuclear Energy startups
Top 34 Nuclear Energy startups
Kairos Power and TerraPower are both American startups developing next-gen nuclear reactors. Their goal is safe, affordable and sustainable carbon-free energy. They produce serial modular reactors with advanced cooling systems and materials.
But Kairos Power (founded in 2016) is developing a Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature reactor, which uses fluoride salt as a coolant. This is smaller modular reactor (SMR) that offers the advantage of low cost and a rapid development cycle. The project is supported by the US Department of Energy.
TerraPower (2008) is collaborating with GE Hitachi to develop a sodium-cooled fast reactor with thermal storage, which uses liquid sodium as a coolant. The company emphasizes integration with renewable energy sources to balance their uneven energy production. The company's primary investor is Bill Gates.
But Kairos Power (founded in 2016) is developing a Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature reactor, which uses fluoride salt as a coolant. This is smaller modular reactor (SMR) that offers the advantage of low cost and a rapid development cycle. The project is supported by the US Department of Energy.
TerraPower (2008) is collaborating with GE Hitachi to develop a sodium-cooled fast reactor with thermal storage, which uses liquid sodium as a coolant. The company emphasizes integration with renewable energy sources to balance their uneven energy production. The company's primary investor is Bill Gates.
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