10+ Top Nuclear Energy Startups and Companies to Watch (2025)

Adarsh R.

February 6, 2024

Curious about startups that will impact the nuclear industry? Discover the top hand-picked Nuclear Energy Startups to Watch in 2025 in this report & learn what their solutions have in store for your business!

New nuclear energy companies are leading advancements in power generation. The market is expected to grow to USD 44.71 billion by 2029, increasing from an estimated USD 38.84 billion in 2024. It will expand at a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period, 2024 to 2029.

This article highlights 20 firms focusing on areas such as fusion technologies, microreactor designs, and radioactive waste management. These companies drive progress in nuclear power through modular fusion energy generators, uranium enrichment laser systems, and AI-driven regulatory tools.

Global Startup Heat Map highlights Emerging Nuclear Energy Startups to Watch

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 5M+ startups, 20K+ technology trends plus 150M+ patents, news articles & market reports, we identified 600+ nuclear energy startups.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the top nuclear energy startups you should watch in 2025 as well as the geo-distribution of 600+ startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.

According to our data, we observe high startup activity in Western Europe and the United States, followed by India. The top 5 Startup Hubs for nuclear energy are London, New York City, Berlin, Vancouver, and Mumbai.

 

Nuclear-Energy-Startups-Heat-Map-StartUs-Insights-noresize (1)

 

Meet Emerging Nuclear Energy Startups to Watch in 2025

We hand-picked startups to showcase in this report by filtering for their technology, founding year, location, funding, and other metrics. These nuclear energy startups work on solutions ranging from modular nuclear reactors and fusion reactors to nuclear licensing and uranium enrichment laser technology.

  1. Radiant Nuclear – Portable Nuclear Microreactor
  2. NAAREA – Nuclear Microreactors
  3. Blossom Energy – Thermal Energy Decarbonization
  4. Curio LV – Closed Fuel Cycle-based Energy
  5. Deutelio – Poloidal Magnetic Configuration
  6. Boston Atomics – Modular Nuclear Reactor
  7. Electric Fusion Systems – Portable and Industrial Fusion Energy
  8. Type One Energy – Stellarator-based Fusion Reactor
  9. Ex-Fusion – Laser Fusion
  10. Aalo Atomics – Nuclear Reactors
  11. Kärnfull Energi – Nuclear Power-Based Electricity
  12. Novatron Fusion Group – Fusion Reactor
  13. Atomic Canyon – AI Nuclear Regulatory Platform
  14. KALMAN – Plant Inspection & Maintenance Robots
  15. CAELUS – Nuclear Licensing Software
  16. x-nano – Energy Transition Nanomaterial
  17. Codeac Solutions – Colorimetric Detection Technology
  18. LIS Technologies – Uranium Enrichment Laser Technology
  19. Antares – Critical Infrastructure Resilience Microreactor
  20. Kronos Fusion Energy – Modular Fusion Energy Generator

1. Radiant Nuclear

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Portable Nuclear Microreactor
  • Funding: Secured a Series C funding of USD 100 million

Radiant Nuclear manufactures Kaleidos, a portable nuclear microreactor that replaces diesel generators. This compact reactor is ideal for remote villages, hospitals, data centers, and military installations.

 

 

Kaleidos operates without on-site water, using air cooling, and can provide both electricity and 1.9 MW of thermal power for heating or desalination. Its meltdown-proof TRISO fuel and air-cooled core ensure safety and ease regulatory approval.

2. NAAREA

  • Founding Year: 2020
  • Location: France
  • Solution: Nuclear Microreactors

NAAREA develops the XAMR, a fourth-generation molten salt-fast neutron microreactor. Utilizing long-lived nuclear waste, XAMR produces heat and electricity, offering a carbon-free, decentralized energy solution.

NAAREA thus supports sustainable development goals and benefits industries and remote areas with its compact, efficient energy generation.

3. Blossom Energy

  • Founding Year: 2022
  • Location: Japan
  • Solution: Thermal Energy Decarbonization

Blossom Energy develops a high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR), a Generation IV nuclear SMR, focusing on safe, affordable, and reliable clean energy. Their HTGR technology ensures intrinsic safety, minimizing severe accident risks.

Blossom Energy supports sustainable development globally, producing tritium for fusion reactors and medical isotopes. This innovation benefits countries reliant on energy imports, contributing to decarbonization and energy security.

4. Curio LV

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Closed Fuel Cycle-based Energy
  • Funding: Secured USD 14 million in a seed funding round

Curio LV focuses on closing the nuclear fuel cycle with its NuCycle technology. This involves recycling transuranic isotopes from spent nuclear fuel, enabling the production of energy with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

Curio LV’s technology benefits the global effort in decarbonization and supports the sustainable development of clean, abundant nuclear energy.

5. Deutelio

  • Founding Year: 2022
  • Location: Italy
  • Solution: Poloidal Magnetic Configuration

Deutelio is developing nuclear fusion energy through magnetic confinement with the Polomac configuration. This technology exploits Deuterium, an abundant natural isotope, for clean and sustainable energy production.

 

 

Deutelio’s approach, focusing on high confinement efficiency and environmental safety, benefits global decarbonization efforts and meets increasing energy demands.

6. Boston Atomics

  • Founding Year: 2020
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Modular Nuclear Reactor

Boston Atomics makes the Modular, Integrated, Gas-cooled, High Temperature Reactor (MIGHTR), focusing on safe, low-cost nuclear technology for decarbonizing process heat and electricity.

MIGHTR offers a passively safe, TRISO-fueled, gas-cooled reactor. It benefits industries needing low-carbon, high-temperature process heat and power, with a design optimized for easy construction and cost efficiency.

7. Electric Fusion Systems

  • Founding Year: 2020
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Portable and Industrial Fusion Energy

Electric Fusion Systems generates fusion energy that uses a proton-lithium Rydberg matter fusion fuel. The technology, showcased in a portable device, provides clean, safe, and economically favorable fusion power generation.

The aneutronic fusion process provides a scalable solution for diverse applications, from automotive transportation to large-scale industrial and utility needs.

8. Type One Energy

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Stellarator-based Fusion Reactor

Type One Energy develops stellarator fusion energy systems using additive manufacturing, computational physics, and high-field superconducting magnets.

 

Type One Energy

 

Their FusionDirect program is creating a fusion pilot plant for grid-ready electricity generation. This technology benefits the clean energy sector, offering a sustainable and efficient power source.

9. Ex-Fusion

  • Founding Year: 2021
  • Location: Japan
  • Solution: Laser Fusion

EX-Fusion is advancing laser-based nuclear fusion technology to provide safe, clean, and inexpensive energy. It is working on building a commercial nuclear fusion reactor powered by lasers.

 

EX-Fusion

 

EX-Fusion thus benefits global energy demands and climate change challenges, offering a sustainable power solution.

10. Aalo Atomics

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Canada
  • Solution: Nuclear Reactors

Aalo Atomics manufactures 10-megawatt electric (MWe) small nuclear fission reactors that offer clean energy by making nuclear power cost-effective and safe. The company thus aids in achieving low-cost electricity for widespread deployment.

 

 

These emerging nuclear power generation companies with their innovations, spanning microreactors to fusion technologies, promise a future of enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and tailored solutions for nuclear energy.

 

Want to Explore 600+ Nuclear Energy Startups & Scaleups?

 

11. Kärnfull Energi

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: Sweden
  • Solution: Nuclear Power-Based Electricity

Kärnfull Energi offers a nuclear power-based electricity contract for minimal emissions and lower prices.

The startup’s hourly electricity contract utilizes a smart app that provides real-time monitoring of electricity usage and costs. It ensures a stable and reliable electricity supply and contributes to a sustainable and competitive energy landscape.

The startup also develops nuclear energy solutions which include small modular reactors (SMRs), to meet future electricity demands. It integrates features like e-invoicing and support for solar energy production to cater to private consumers and companies seeking efficient energy management.

Customers benefit from transparent pricing, no commitment periods, and streamlined service transitions via BankID verification.

12. Novatron Fusion Group

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: Sweden
  • Solution: Fusion Reactor
  • Funding: Closed seed round of EUR 5 million

Novatron Fusion Group develops NOVATRON, a fusion reactor that generates clean energy through nuclear fusion. The reactor’s design utilizes an open-field line confinement approach for creating a stable magnetic field that maintains the plasma equilibrium.

It continuously confines the plasma with a concave magnetic field to achieve high energy yield and minimize the risk of instability. This technology offers a more reliable and safer alternative to traditional fission reactors, producing no long-term radioactive waste.

 

 

NOVATRON’s reduced complexity and reliance on conventional electromagnets lower manufacturing and maintenance costs enhancing economic feasibility.

The reactor supports continuous operation allowing for efficient fuel addition and by-product removal, optimizing energy production.

Governments, energy providers, and industries benefit from NOVATRON and get a scalable, low-cost solution for sustainable base-load power generation.

13. Atomic Canyon

  • Founding Year: 2024
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: AI Nuclear Regulatory Platform

Atomic Canyon utilizes AI to optimize regulatory and compliance processes within the nuclear energy sector. Its AI platform, Neutron, enables users to interact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s digitized database by simplifying document retrieval and enhancing workflow efficiency.

Neutron facilitates document understanding and rapid data navigation to reduce operational costs and complexity. Its user-friendly interface enables quick access to vital nuclear information which streamlines collaboration and decision-making in nuclear power operations.

The startup’s AI platform handles vast amounts of regulatory data, supports compliance efforts, and enhances safety measures in nuclear facilities. Its integration into existing systems enables nuclear energy professionals to improve productivity and ensure a secure process.

14. KALMAN

  • Founding Year: 2020
  • Location: South Korea
  • Solution: Plant Inspection & Maintenance Robots

KALMAN offers robotic solutions for nuclear power plant operations to enhance safety and efficiency in challenging environments. The PYPER system conducts precise internal pipe inspections to ensure structural integrity that minimizes human exposure to hazardous conditions.

Its ROBSTER is an underwater robot that executes complex movements to streamline maintenance and reduce the need for human intervention in radioactive water.

The startup’s DEXTER, a quadrupedal robot, supports decommissioning tasks and operates in radiation-heavy zones to protect personnel from exposure. These robots provide nuclear facilities with reliable and efficient options for inspection and maintenance to safeguard human and environmental health.

15. CAELUS

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: Italy
  • Solution: Nuclear Licensing Software

CAELUS develops software solutions to streamline licensing processes for new nuclear technologies. Its AI-powered modular environment automates the production of regulatory documents to enhance workflow standardization for engineers and regulatory compliance.

It trains the systems on regulatory databases and approved licenses to accelerate the platform’s evaluation of components and systems. This approach reduces time-consuming manual updates, minimizes errors, and provides a tool for the nuclear industry’s transition to SMRs.

Engineers and companies benefit from quicker licensing approvals, lower investment risks, and enhanced project transparency. CAELUS’ platform also supports secure communication and real-time tracking of design changes to ensure compliance with strict nuclear regulations.

16. x-nano

  • Founding Year: 2022
  • Location: Italy
  • Solution: Energy Transition Nanomaterial

x-nano develops nanotechnology solutions to advance the energy transition across electric storage, clean hydrogen, and nuclear energy sectors. It manipulates atoms to create nanomaterials that enhance the efficiency and performance of batteries that are critical for electric mobility and renewable integration.

The startup’s technology also supports the production of clean hydrogen, which is essential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors globally. In the nuclear domain, x-nano contributes to the fourth generation of nuclear reactors and fusion energy, both pivotal for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

Industrial partners benefit from x-nano’s expertise in scalable, energy-efficient solutions to drive sustainable energy production.

17. Codeac Solutions

  • Founding Year: 2019
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Colorimetric Detection Technology

Codeac Solutions offers CodeNu, nuclear material detection products for quick and field-ready identification of radioactive contaminants. Its single-use detection wipes contain a pre-saturated inner layer that reacts with uranium, plutonium, americium, and thorium.

The wipes deliver colorimetric results in less than 60 seconds. Each wipe is individually wrapped in a protective foil sleeve and allows size customization. The startup also offers portable field kits compatible with standard gear and essential kits for replenishment or standalone use.

In addition, its training kits include safe simulants that enable teams to practice identifying threats using the same colorimetric response. Codeac Solutions provides detection tools that enable defense, security, and emergency response teams to reduce nuclear contamination risks.

18. LIS Technologies

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Uranium Enrichment Laser Technology

LIS Technologies develops laser enrichment technology for selective isotope separation which optimizes uranium enrichment processes for energy and industrial applications. Its Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T.) provides efficiency by utilizing infrared wavelengths to selectively excite specific isotopes within UF₆ molecules.

Unlike traditional methods such as gas diffusion and centrifuge, L.I.S.T. offers reduced operational and capital costs while achieving high throughput and enrichment efficiency.

The condensation repression isotope selective laser activation (CRISLA) method further enhances performance by targeting the 3ʋ3 vibrational mode of 235UF₆. This technology supports the production of low-enriched uranium (LEU) for large nuclear reactors and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for SMRs and microreactors.

Beneficiaries include civilian nuclear power plants, next-generation nuclear reactors, and sectors requiring stable isotopes for medical and scientific research.

19. Antares

  • Founding Year: 2023
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Critical Infrastructure Resilience Microreactor

Antares manufactures R1 MICROREACTOR, a deployable microreactor for critical infrastructure resilience in remote and austere environments. It utilizes HALEU TRISO fuel and a graphite moderator to ensure safety through its well-characterized, high-technology readiness core.

Integrated tungsten, titanium carbide, and boron carbide provide effective shielding, that minimizes the exclusion zone and enables quick deployment without specialized equipment.

 

antares

 

The passive heat removal using sodium heat pipes ensures reliable and redundant heat transfer without moving parts. The reactor’s low-pressure nitrogen-closed Brayton cycle maximizes operational reliability while minimizing maintenance requirements.

Automated control drums and boron carbide shutdown rods, adapted from space reactor technology, provide precise reactivity management, supporting autonomous operation for over three years.

Antares’ microreactor benefits critical infrastructure projects and space-based power applications to deliver continuous energy without the need for a sustaining supply chain.

20. Kronos Fusion Energy

  • Founding Year: 2022
  • Location: USA
  • Solution: Modular Fusion Energy Generator

Kronos Fusion Energy develops modular aneutronic fusion energy generators. Its superconducting minimum-aspect-ratio torus (S.M.A.R.T.) system utilizes a deuterium and helium-3 fuel mix to produce fusion reactions with minimal neutron emissions. This aneutronic approach reduces the need for extensive radiation shielding which enhances safety and efficiency.

The modular design allows for scalable deployment across various applications, from industrial heating to electricity generation. It integrates direct energy conversion methods to transform fusion-generated energy directly into electricity.

Kronos Fusion Energy provides clean, sustainable, and virtual energy solutions to meet global energy demands while minimizing environmental impact.

Discover All Emerging Energy Startups

The energy startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Energy Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2025!