Energy Startup News #26

newcleo and NextChem Form Joint Venture for Lead-Cooled Reactors
newcleo and Maire’s NextChem signed a binding agreement to co-develop engineering and supply chains for lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs), with deployment planned in France and the UK.
🔗 https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/newcleo-and-nextchem-sign-binding-agreement-on-joint-venture

TerraPower Raises $650M in New Round Backed by Nvidia
Bill Gates–founded TerraPower secured $650M in a fresh raise, with backing from Nvidia’s VC arm and Hyundai, adding to the recent $460M raise by Sam Altman’s Oklo.
🔗 https://www.ft.com/content/7f3e0e10-d6a6-41e1-a122-361ffecdb734

NuScale Showcases Integrated System for Desalination and Clean Hydrogen
NuScale unveiled a new concept for pairing SMRs with desalination and hydrogen production systems, targeting water-stressed regions.
🔗 https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/nuscale-integrated-energy-system-desalination-clean-hydrogen

Standard Nuclear Raises $42M for Domestic Fuel Supply Chain
Standard Nuclear secured $42M in funding to develop an advanced, secure domestic nuclear fuel supply chain in the U.S.
🔗 https://pulse2.com/standard-nuclear-42-million-raised-for-secured-domestic-advanced-nuclear-fuel/

NANO Nuclear Signs MOU with Namibia to Develop Fuel Supply Chain
U.S.-based NANO Nuclear and the Namibian government signed an MoU to build nuclear fuel supply chain infrastructure in Africa.
🔗 https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/20/3102690/0/en/NANO-Nuclear-and-the-Namibian-Government-Sign-Memorandum-of-Understanding-to-Develop-Namibian-Domestic-Nuclear-Fuel-Supply-Chain-Infrastructure.html

TechCrunch Maps Every Fusion Startup with $100M+ Raised
An overview of all fusion startups that have raised over $100M to date — including TAE, CFS, Helion, Marvel Fusion, Zap, and more.
🔗 https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/19/every-fusion-startup-that-has-raised-over-100m/

Form Energy’s Iron-Air Battery Will Support California Grid
Form Energy’s long-duration iron-air battery technology will be deployed in California to support grid resilience and decarbonization.
🔗 https://interestingengineering.com/energy/iron-air-battery-california-grid-form-energy

Holtec Plans Global SMR Rollout, Reopens Palisades Plant
Holtec will restart the Palisades nuclear plant with federal loan support and plans to build fleets of its SMR-300 globally to meet AI-driven power demand.
🔗 https://www.ft.com/content/27b6dae9-a320-4b71-94b6-200c74313fba