Bluecore Energy raises $50M to deploy floating nuclear reactors
The Long Beach startup aims to power ports and AI data centers using barge-mounted modular reactors.
Long Beach-based startup Bluecore Energy has secured $50 million in seed funding to develop floating nuclear power plants. The investment aims to bring zero-emission, modular energy to high-demand coastal infrastructure and remote communities.
The seed round was led by Silverton Partners, following an earlier $10 million pre-seed round led by Slauson & Co. The investor pool also includes celebrities Kevin Hart and Simu Liu. Bluecore is utilizing this capital to advance its design of small, water-cooled modular nuclear reactors mounted on floating barges.
The Technology
The company's initial reactor design is based on light-water reactor technology, intended to generate approximately 10 MWe (megawatts of electrical output) continuously. These systems are engineered for longevity, with the company stating that refueling would only be required every few years. Bluecore is currently headquartered at the Port of Long Beach, California, where it is developing a non-fueled prototype to validate its systems.
"Six months ago, we were building the foundation," said Kofi Asante, Founder and CEO of Bluecore Energy. "Today, we have the capital, the team, the hardware, and some of the most important institutions in nuclear and maritime working alongside us."
Industry Context
Bluecore's push enters a broader global trend toward maritime nuclear power, aligning with the IAEA's ATLAS initiative and U.S. Department of Energy efforts to increase atomic capacity for AI data centers. While the U.S. Navy has operated nuclear vessels since the USS Nautilus in 1955, civilian applications remain rare. Currently, Russia operates the only civilian floating nuclear plant, the Akademik Lomonosov, though that facility is significantly larger at 70 MWe compared to Bluecore's 10 MWe target.
Strategic Implications
By utilizing mobile barges, Bluecore attempts to bypass the most restrictive hurdles facing land-based nuclear energy: siting, permitting, and complex grid integration. If the model proves scalable, it could provide a relocatable energy source for energy-poor coastal regions or the massive power loads required by modern AI clusters. However, the company faces a steep regulatory climb, as it must secure approvals from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), while navigating California's strict nuclear restrictions.
What's Next
Observers will be watching the progress of the Long Beach prototype to see if the company can move from a non-fueled model to a functional reactor. The primary remaining milestones include federal safety certifications and the successful integration of the reactor with port-side electrical infrastructure.