Bluecore Energy Raises $50M for Floating Nuclear Reactors
Bluecore Energy secured a $50M seed round to develop floating small nuclear reactors as regulators now review its barge-based clean power plant design.
Summary
Bluecore Energy, founded in 2026 by Kofi Asante, announced an oversubscribed $50 million seed round on September 8, two months after its July stealth exit and months after a $10 million pre-seed. Silverton Partners led the eight-week raise. Slauson & Co., Harlem Capital and Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen reinvested, while Collab Capital, Kevin Hart’s HartBeat Ventures and angels from Tesla, Uber, Amazon and Google joined.
The Port of Long Beach startup, the first nuclear company headquartered at a major port, is developing small nuclear reactors on floating barges to supply ports and nearby infrastructure. Asante says the systems could relocate within days without new fixed infrastructure, drawing on 70 accident-free years of portable nuclear operations by the Navy. Bluecore has launched two barges, secured a reactor and partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Division, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Coast Guard. Formal engagement began in August, and NRC and Coast Guard design reviews could lead to certification of its floating nuclear power plant.
The funding will support product development, regulatory work, hiring and nuclear fuel purchases for a national nuclear laboratory partner. Bluecore’s team includes SpaceX, Rivian and Toyota veterans, but Asante expects hardware supply to be the largest obstacle to matching demand. The company has received interest from multiple ports, AI data centers and communities seeking clean energy and water, reflecting its goal of expanding access to both.
Positives
- $50 million in oversubscribed seed funding followed Bluecore Energy’s $10 million pre-seed within months.
- Eight weeks were enough for Silverton Partners to lead the round and attract returning investors plus new institutional and angel capital.
- Two floating barges and a secured reactor give Bluecore physical assets while its power plant design enters regulatory review.
- Multiple ports, AI data centers and communities have expressed interest in Bluecore’s clean electricity and water proposition.
- SpaceX, Rivian and Toyota veterans bring experience securing critical components for complex hardware programs.
Risks & concerns
- NRC and Coast Guard certification remains conditional on successful reviews of Bluecore’s floating nuclear plant design.
- Hardware supply is Bluecore’s expected primary challenge as it tries to build portable electricity infrastructure at the pace of demand.
- Nuclear fuel has not yet been purchased and must still be ordered for delivery to a national nuclear laboratory partner.
- Details remain limited on generation capacity, commercial deployment dates and firm customer commitments.