$140 Million Series A Fuels Expansion of U.S.-Based TRISO and HALEU Manufacturing Capacity for Next-Generation Nuclear Reactors
Standard Nuclear, a reactor-agnostic developer and manufacturer of advanced TRISO nuclear fuel, has taken a major step forward in strengthening the United States’ advanced nuclear fuel supply chain. The company announced that it has successfully raised $140 million in Series A funding, marking one of the largest early-stage investments in the advanced nuclear fuel sector to date. The financing round was led by Decisive Point, with participation from prominent new investors including Chevron Technology Ventures, StepStone Group, and XTX Ventures, alongside continued backing from existing investors such as Welara, Fundomo, Andreessen Horowitz, Washington Harbour Partners, and Crucible Capital, among others.
This significant capital infusion will enable Standard Nuclear to rapidly scale its fuel development and fabrication capabilities beyond its existing operational, privately funded commercial-scale TRISO manufacturing line. The funding arrives at a pivotal moment for the nuclear industry, as demand accelerates for advanced reactors capable of delivering clean, reliable, and dispatchable power for industrial applications, national defense, and emerging use cases such as space and remote energy systems.
Scaling TRISO Production to Meet Growing Demand
Standard Nuclear plans to deploy the newly raised capital toward a rapid expansion of its production footprint, with a clear objective: to increase annual TRISO fuel output to more than two metric tons by mid-2026. This expanded capacity will be distributed across multiple strategically located manufacturing sites, designed to enhance resilience, security, and scalability within the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
The company’s expansion strategy leverages proven infrastructure and a highly experienced technical team with a demonstrated ability to execute complex nuclear manufacturing programs at speed while maintaining stringent quality and safety standards. By building on existing capabilities rather than starting from scratch, Standard Nuclear aims to shorten timelines and de-risk the scale-up process—an advantage that is particularly valuable in an industry where delays can have significant cost and policy implications.
A Year of Rapid Strategic Progress
In just its first twelve months of operation, Standard Nuclear has achieved a series of notable strategic and commercial milestones that underscore its momentum and credibility within the advanced nuclear ecosystem. Among these achievements is the company’s selection as a supplier for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy’s Fuel Line Pilot Program, a key federal initiative aimed at accelerating the availability of advanced nuclear fuels in the United States.
In a first-of-its-kind move, Standard Nuclear also executed an agreement with the DOE to transition its regulatory jurisdiction—an important step that enables greater flexibility and efficiency in fuel production while maintaining rigorous oversight. This milestone reflects the company’s proactive approach to navigating the complex regulatory environment that governs nuclear materials and manufacturing.
Further strengthening its commercial position, Standard Nuclear entered into a joint venture with Framatome, one of the world’s leading nuclear technology companies. This collaboration is focused on supplying commercial quantities of TRISO fuel as well as proprietary advanced reactor fuel products, expanding the company’s reach into both domestic and international reactor markets.
Advancing HALEU Fuel Production
Perhaps most notably, Standard Nuclear announced in early 2026 that it became the first company to both receive authorization from the U.S. DOE and physically take delivery of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for the production of advanced TRISO fuel. The HALEU material will be used to support fuel manufacturing for Radiant Industries, marking a critical step forward in enabling next-generation reactor deployments.
HALEU is widely regarded as a cornerstone fuel for many advanced reactor designs due to its higher enrichment levels compared to conventional nuclear fuel, enabling improved efficiency, longer refueling intervals, and enhanced performance. However, limited domestic availability has long been considered a bottleneck for the commercialization of advanced reactors. Standard Nuclear’s progress in this area directly addresses that challenge and positions the company as a key enabler of the sector’s growth.
Leadership Perspectives on a New Nuclear Era
Commenting on the milestone, Kurt Terrani, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Nuclear, emphasized the speed and significance of the company’s progress since its founding.
“Standard Nuclear has successfully achieved numerous pivotal strategic and commercial objectives since our founding one year ago, leading to the remarkable occasion today as we begin producing HALEU TRISO,” Terrani said. “This successful Series A raise ensures we have the capital required to fully execute on our expansion and growth strategy across various products and services based on our technical manufacturing capabilities and industry-leading fuel production expertise. With this funding, we are positioned to accelerate our roadmap, scale operations, and deliver on the promise to fuel the next generation of reactors powering industry, defense, and space.”
From the investor perspective, Thomas Hendrix, General Partner at Decisive Point and Executive Chairman of Standard Nuclear, highlighted the broader national and geopolitical context driving renewed interest in nuclear energy.
“The United States is entering a new nuclear era—driven by the clarity and focus of the Administration, a renewed industrial policy, the AI data center boom, and the recognition that clean, reliable, and dispatchable power is essential to national security,” Hendrix said. “Standard Nuclear was founded with a focused mandate to secure and scale a domestic advanced nuclear fuel supply chain that the U.S. can rely on. With this financing, we are rapidly advancing to build the infrastructure needed to scale American nuclear.”
Positioning for the Future of Advanced Nuclear
As governments and industries worldwide seek solutions that balance decarbonization with energy security, advanced nuclear technologies are increasingly seen as a critical part of the energy mix. TRISO fuel, known for its robust safety characteristics and adaptability across reactor designs, is a foundational component of many of these next-generation systems.
With its newly secured funding, expanding production capacity, and growing portfolio of strategic partnerships, Standard Nuclear is positioning itself at the center of this transformation. The company’s focus on domestic manufacturing, regulatory engagement, and commercial readiness aligns closely with U.S. policy priorities aimed at rebuilding critical energy supply chains and maintaining leadership in nuclear innovation.
Looking ahead, Standard Nuclear’s ability to execute on its ambitious expansion plans will be closely watched by utilities, reactor developers, policymakers, and investors alike. If successful, the company could play a decisive role in ensuring that advanced reactors have timely access to the fuel they need—helping to power a new era of clean, reliable, and secure energy for decades to come.
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