![[radiant-industries-light-sm.webp|300]] Website: [RadiantNuclear.com](https://www.radiantnuclear.com) ### Introduction Radiant Nuclear, founded in 2019, is a clean energy startup headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company was established by Doug Bernauer, a former SpaceX engineer, with a mission to develop portable nuclear microreactors as a climate-friendly alternative to diesel generators. Radiant Nuclear aims to provide zero-emissions power sources that can operate anywhere, targeting both commercial and military applications. While specific employee counts are not publicly disclosed in the latest data, the company has garnered significant attention in the nuclear energy sector, as evidenced by its growing LinkedIn following of over 7,600 [Radiant LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/r-a-d-i-a-n-t). Radiant Nuclear is a privately held company with no public ticker symbol. Its focus on microreactor technology positions it at the forefront of advanced nuclear energy solutions, addressing the need for resilient, portable power in remote and critical infrastructure settings. The company’s innovative approach has attracted substantial funding and partnerships, signaling strong industry interest in its potential to disrupt traditional energy generation methods. ### Key Products and Technology - **Kaleidos Microreactor (High-Temperature Gas Reactor)** - **Technical Specifications**: 1 MW (megawatt electric, MWe) power output, designed for compactness and portability, capable of being transported via semi-truck. - **Fuel Type**: Uses nuclear fuel in a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor design, though specific fuel compositions (e.g., TRISO particles) are not fully detailed in public sources. - **Key Differentiators**: Portable and mass-producible, offering a direct replacement for diesel generators with zero-emissions power. Its modular design allows for rapid deployment, and it includes advanced safety features inherent to microreactor technology. - **Development Stage**: Currently in the testing phase, with the Kaleidos Demonstration Unit scheduled for a fueled reactor experiment in 2026 at Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) DOME facility, marking it as one of the first new commercial reactor designs to achieve a fueled test in over 50 years. - **Target Customers**: Military bases (e.g., U.S. Air Force contracts), remote grids, data centers, and industrial operations requiring reliable off-grid power [RadiantNuclear.com](https://www.radiantnuclear.com). Radiant’s technology focuses on bridging the gap between traditional nuclear power’s scale and the need for decentralized, resilient energy solutions. The Kaleidos microreactor is engineered to provide consistent power in environments where diesel generators are currently the norm, offering a significant reduction in carbon footprint and operational costs over time. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Radiant Nuclear is in the pre-application phase with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its microreactor design, focusing on preparatory work for eventual licensing. The company has not yet achieved design certification or a combined license, but its collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and testing at INL’s DOME facility—a dedicated microreactor test bed—marks a significant regulatory milestone. Radiant was selected as one of the first companies to conduct fueled reactor experiments at DOME, as announced by the DOE in July 2025 [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). Key upcoming milestones include the 2026 test of the Kaleidos Demonstration Unit at INL, which will provide critical data for regulatory submissions. The estimated timeline for first commercial deployment is post-2026, with a specific target of delivering a reactor to a U.S. military base by 2028 under a contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the U.S. Air Force [ANS.org](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-08-14/article-7277/radiant-signs-contract-on-microreactors-for-the-military/). Regulatory timelines in the nuclear sector are inherently long, and Radiant’s progress will depend on successful test outcomes and NRC review processes. ### Team and Leadership - **Doug Bernauer (CEO and Founder)**: A former SpaceX engineer with expertise in complex systems engineering, Bernauer leads Radiant’s vision of portable nuclear power. He has been vocal about the company’s milestones on social platforms [@DougBernauer](https://x.com/DougBernauer). - **Tori Shivanandan (Key Executive)**: While specific title and background details are limited in public sources, Shivanandan is noted in company announcements as a key figure in sharing significant updates with the team, including the DOE selection for INL testing [RadiantNuclear X](https://x.com/RadiantNuclear). Information on other leadership roles is not widely available in current public data, reflecting the company’s status as a private startup with limited disclosure. Further details may emerge as Radiant progresses toward commercialization. ### Funding and Financial Position Radiant Nuclear has raised significant capital to advance its microreactor technology, with a total of approximately $518.8 million secured across multiple funding rounds. The most recent round, a Series D announced on December 16, 2025, brought in over $300 million to scale commercialization efforts following the 2026 reactor test. Previous rounds include a $100 million Series C in November 2024 and a $40 million Series B in 2023 [RadiantNuclear.com](https://www.radiantnuclear.com/blog/series-d-announcement/), [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/17/radiant-nuclear-raises-300m-for-its-semi-sized-1-mw-reactor/). Specific lead investors for the latest round are not detailed in public announcements, but the scale of funding suggests strong backing from institutional investors or strategic partners in the energy and defense sectors. Radiant remains pre-revenue, with no commercial contracts delivering power yet, though its agreement with the U.S. military for a 2028 deployment indicates potential early revenue streams. Financial health appears robust given the recent capital influx, positioning Radiant to execute on its testing and manufacturing goals. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 16, 2025 | Series D Funding Announcement | Raised over $300 million to mass-produce portable nuclear reactors [RadiantNuclear.com](https://www.radiantnuclear.com/blog/series-d-announcement/). | | Nov 14, 2024 | Series C Funding | Secured $100 million to fund testing at INL and begin mass manufacturing [DougBernauer X](https://x.com/DougBernauer/status/1857170961319309475). | | Aug 6, 2025 | Military Contract Signed | Agreement with DIU and U.S. Air Force to deliver a nuclear reactor to a military base by 2028 [RadiantNuclear X](https://x.com/RadiantNuclear/status/1953214964212092977). | | Jul 2, 2025 | DOE Selection for INL Testing | Selected by DOE as the first new nuclear reactor to test at INL’s DOME facility in 2026 [RadiantNuclear X](https://x.com/RadiantNuclear/status/1940414568951644570). | | Jul 1, 2025 | DOE Announcement | DOE confirms Radiant as one of two companies to conduct fueled microreactor experiments at DOME [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). | These events highlight Radiant’s rapid progression in funding, partnerships, and regulatory milestones within the past year, underscoring its momentum toward commercialization. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Idaho National Laboratory (INL)**: Collaboration for testing the Kaleidos Demonstration Unit at the DOME facility in 2026, providing access to critical infrastructure for regulatory data and validation [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). - **Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and U.S. Air Force**: Contract under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program to deliver a mass-manufactured reactor to a military base by 2028, offering strategic value for national security and early market entry [ANS.org](https://www.ans.org/news/2025-08-14/article-7277/radiant-signs-contract-on-microreactors-for-the-military/). - **Argonne National Laboratory**: Historical partnership through the DOE’s GAIN program to develop computational analysis tools for reactor design, enhancing technical capabilities [DOE X](https://x.com/GovNuclear/status/1644847361925971972). These partnerships provide Radiant with technical, regulatory, and market access support, positioning it as a leader in microreactor deployment for both civilian and defense applications. ### New Hampshire Relevance Radiant Nuclear’s technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly given the state’s existing nuclear infrastructure and energy needs. New Hampshire hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a 1,244 MWe pressurized water reactor, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which faces challenges with winter peak demand and decarbonization goals. Radiant’s 1 MWe Kaleidos microreactor, while small in output compared to Seabrook, could serve niche applications such as powering remote data centers or industrial facilities in NH, especially given its portability and off-grid capabilities. The technology’s readiness timeline (post-2026 for commercial deployment) may not align with immediate NH deployment needs, but it could fit into longer-term state initiatives like House Bill 710, which explores advanced nuclear options and small modular reactors (SMRs) for energy diversification. Potential applications include providing baseload power for data centers—a growing sector in the Northeast—or supporting industrial heat needs in NH’s manufacturing base. There are no direct mentions of Radiant engaging with NH stakeholders or expressing interest in the Northeast specifically, though its focus on remote and critical infrastructure aligns broadly with regional energy resilience goals. Proximity to ISO-NE and existing nuclear expertise at Seabrook could facilitate future discussions if Radiant targets the region. ### Competitive Position Radiant Nuclear operates in a competitive advanced nuclear market, with peers like [[X-energy]], [[[[NuScale Power]]]], and [[[[Oklo]]]] also developing small modular and microreactor technologies. Compared to [[X-energy]], which focuses on a 80 MWe high-temperature gas reactor for broader utility applications, Radiant’s 1 MWe portable design targets a unique niche in off-grid and military use cases, offering greater flexibility but limited scalability for grid applications. NuScale, with its 77 MWe modules and NRC design certification achieved in 2020, is further along in regulatory progress, posing a challenge to Radiant’s timeline [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). Oklo’s Aurora microreactor (1.5 MWe) shares a similar portable focus but has advanced further with site-specific licensing efforts, though Radiant’s recent $300 million funding round provides a financial edge for scaling manufacturing. Radiant’s key advantage lies in its mass-producible design and military contract, which could accelerate market entry. However, risks include regulatory delays inherent to nuclear projects and competition from more established SMR players with larger outputs suited to grid integration. ### Closing Note Radiant Nuclear is at a pivotal pre-commercial stage, with strong funding and strategic partnerships positioning it for a potential breakthrough in portable nuclear power by the late 2020s. *Report generated December 24, 2025*