Deep Fission Inc., a trailblazing nuclear energy company, has officially emerged from stealth mode, announcing a $4 million pre-seed funding round led by 8VC. Positioned at the cutting edge of advanced energy technology, Deep Fission is set to revolutionize the future of nuclear power with a groundbreaking approach: placing reactors a mile underground.
Founded in 2023 by the father-daughter duo Elizabeth and Richard Muller, Deep Fission leverages traditional pressurized water reactor design in an unconventional setting. By utilizing the natural conditions deep underground, the startup eliminates the need for large pressure vessels and containment structures, significantly reducing costs while enhancing safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The company uses conventional low-enriched uranium fuel and an existing supply chain, avoiding the delays and concerns that other advanced reactor designs face.
“I am thrilled to introduce Deep Fission and present our groundbreaking approach to affordable nuclear power,” said Elizabeth Muller, co-founder and CEO of Deep Fission. “Climate change has accelerated the need for clean energy, and nuclear must be cheaper to compete with coal and natural gas. We’ve innovated beyond other reactor designs and engaged early and often with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make atomic energy a viable option for powering AI, industrial applications, and remote communities. We are eager to share our findings and contribute to the clean energy transition.”
The $4 million investment will accelerate Deep Fission’s efforts in hiring, regulatory approval, and the commercialization of its innovative reactor technology.
“Cheap energy fuels our prosperity and all of our technology,” said Joe Lonsdale, Managing Partner at 8VC. “With global demand rising, we need more options. We invested in Deep Fission because they are engineering a way for nuclear power to be exceptionally safe, cost-effective, and reliable—and positioned far enough underground that neither war nor regulators can easily disrupt it.”
Deep Fission has already achieved several key milestones, including completing a conceptual design, submitting a regulatory engagement plan, and holding a conceptual design review meeting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
About Deep Fission:
Deep Fission is transforming the energy landscape by developing modular nuclear power plants located a mile underground. The team of leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries is dedicated to advancing clean energy and global energy security. Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, Deep Fission has secured $4 million in funding from top investors, including 8VC.
