Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Data Centers Are Fueling a Tiny Nuclear Hype Cycle

heatmap.news · 1hShare

Investment in smaller, next-generation nuclear reactor designs is booming, with a flood of capital pouring into scaled-down models known as small modular reactors — or, if they’re extra tiny, microreactors. In just the past few weeks, Valar Atomics announced a $1 billion Series B, while Antares Nuclear closed its $470 million Series C. The two companies are attempting to serve different customers — Valar is targeting hyperscale data centers, while Antares is building for off-grid military applications — but both are betting on the same premise: that smaller, factory-built reactors can deliver reliable, carbon-free power far more quickly, flexibly, and cheaply than traditional large-scale nuclear plants. Venture capital is eating it up. In addition to Valar and Antares’ raises this year, SMR startup X-Energy went public in April, raising over $1 billion at a $9.1 billion valuation. Last year alone, SMR companies TerraPower , Last Energy , Radiant Industries , Aalo Atomics , Arc Clean Te

First report: Valar Atomics Nabs $1.2 Billion in Funding — labusinessjournal.com, 1d