Radiant Nuclear raises $300M for its semi-sized 1 MW reactor

Radiant Nuclear has raised over $300 million in a new funding round led by Draper Associates and Boost VC, valuing the company at more than $1.8 billion. This latest raise follows a series of substantial investments in nuclear startups, reflecting growing interest driven largely by the increasing electricity demands of AI and data centers. Radiant is developing a 1-megawatt microreactor designed to be transported via semi-truck, cooled by helium, and fueled with TRISO fuel that enhances safety and allows for five months between refueling. The company aims to replace diesel generators at commercial and military sites, offering customers options to purchase units outright or subscribe through power purchase agreements, with the company responsible for reactor removal after its 20-year lifespan. Radiant plans to build a demonstration reactor at Idaho National Lab, targeting testing by summer 2026, aligning with a broader industry goal set by the Trump administration for three reactors to achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. The