E5: Fission Founders, Part 2: Designing Advanced Nuclear Reactor Startups

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Nov 17, 2023

This podcast explores the challenges and innovations in the world of advanced nuclear startups. It features founders designing new nuclear reactors from scratch and highlights their paths to bringing more nuclear online. Topics include radioisotope power systems, military applications of micro reactors, changing perspectives on nuclear energy, working with the Department of Defense, power sources on the moon, and the flexibility of producing hydrocarbons. The podcast also discusses customer selection, regulation, and the importance of building a strong visual brand for nuclear energy.

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ANECDOTE

Radian: Reactors on Trucks

Radian put nuclear reactors on semi-trucks.
This changes perceptions of nuclear possibilities, says Isaiah Taylor.

INSIGHT

Military vs. Commercial Energy Needs

Military energy needs differ greatly from commercial ones.
The military prioritizes capability over cost, paying high prices for reliable power.

INSIGHT

Space Nuclear Power: Enabling Capabilities

Space nuclear power isn't about energy cost, but capability enabled.
It extends mission durations and opens new possibilities like Mars travel.

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Let's dive into the world of advanced nuclear startups—where founders are playing entrepreneurship on hard-mode, and navigating how to build new reactor designs, sell to new markets, and forge new regulatory pathways.

This episode is the second focused on nuclear fission startup founders—while last week Packy and Julia spoke with entrepreneurs who laser-focused on the problem of manufacturing ready-made designs at scale, this new crop of founders featured are tackling a seemingly even more difficult task of creating new forms of nuclear reactors from scratch.

As a16z American Dynamism partner Katherine Boyle says, "to build a successful energy startup, you have to excel at math, deep technology, storytelling, recruiting, and regulatory." Tune in as Packy and Julia spotlight five founders taking radically different paths to bringing more nuclear online—from radioisotopes on the literal moon to the novel production of hydrocarbons.

Thank you to this episode’s guests: Katherine Boyle, Albert Wenger, Jake DeWitte, Isaiah Taylor, Matt Loszak, Tyler Bernstein, Jordan Bramble, Josh Wolfe, and David Ulevitch.

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A huge thank you to our presenting sponsors for Season 1:

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Timestamps:

(00:00) What are advanced reactors?

(11:58) Introducing the startup founders

(14:01) Oklo

(17:55) Valar Atomics

(25:27) Aalo

(26:41) Zeno Power

(30:07) Antares

(37:18) Why we need a new playbook for nuclear

(48:53) Selling to new markets and customers

(1:07:00) On regulation

(1:30:18) Nuclear startup operations

(1:46:40) The importance of design

(1:52:24) The advanced nuclear startup playbook

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.