Valar Atomics, a U.S.-based small modular reactor (SMR) startup, has raised $19 million in seed funding to develop its first test reactor.
The round was led by Riot Ventures, with participation from AlleyCorp, Initialized Capital, Day One Ventures, and Steel Atlas.
A “Gigafactory” for Nuclear Reactors
Valar Atomics is pioneering a helium-cooled, high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) that can reach 900°C—triple the temperature of conventional nuclear reactors. Instead of building custom one-off reactors, the company aims to mass-produce SMRs at industrial-scale sites called “gigasites”, similar to Tesla’s gigafactories for batteries.
CEO Isaiah Taylor explained:
“The constraint on nuclear isn’t the technology—it’s how we deploy it. We’re moving from an artisanal approach to an industrial model.”
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First Pilot Reactor in the Philippines
Valar has secured an initial contract with the Philippines Nuclear Research Institute to deploy its first test reactor, with plans for two full-scale reactors before rolling out a fully integrated SMR plant.
Beyond Electricity: Hydrogen & Synthetic Fuels
The company’s ultra-high-temperature reactors could also enable low-cost hydrogen production and CO2-based synthetic fuels, offering clean energy alternatives for industrial use.
Taylor, whose grandfather worked on the Manhattan Project, emphasized speed:
“The first-ever nuclear reactor was built in eight months. We designed, engineered, and constructed our test unit in just 10 months—it’s possible to move fast.”
Growing Momentum for Nuclear Energy
With the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, China’s $440B nuclear expansion, and growing private investment in SMRs, Valar Atomics is well-positioned to be a key player in the next era of nuclear energy.
