French Start-Up Stellaria Secures €23 Million for Innovative Nuclear Reactor Development

Stellaria Raises €23 Million for Molten-Salt Nuclear Reactor Development

Stellaria, a pioneering French start-up spin-off from CEA and Schneider Electric, has recently secured €23 million in funding aimed at advancing its innovative molten-salt nuclear reactor technology. This latest financing round comes just two years after the company successfully concluded its initial funding round in 2023, signaling a strong vote of confidence from investors in its vision and technological capabilities.

Co-led by the US impact investment fund At One Ventures and Supernova Invest, this funding round also highlights the continued support from Stellaria's historical investors, which include CEA Investissements, Schneider Electric, Exergon, and Technip Energies. This diverse investment pool underscores the growing interest in sustainable energy technologies and the potential of nuclear energy to play a significant role in the future energy landscape.

In addition to the €23 million raised, Stellaria obtained €10 million in non-dilutive financing through the French government's 'Innovative Reactors' initiative. This combined funding will be essential in conducting the necessary technical and regulatory studies to establish its initial molten-salt reactor facility, expected to be operational by 2029.

Founded in 2023, Stellaria is developing the Stellarium, a state-of-the-art fourth-generation molten-salt nuclear reactor capable of fully regenerating its fuel in real-time. This cutting-edge technology aims for an operational lifespan exceeding 20 years while significantly reducing long-lived nuclear waste, particularly minor actinides. The commercial rollout of the first production unit is anticipated by 2035.

The Stellarium reactor promises several advantages, including improved safety, flexibility, and competitiveness. Furthermore, it is poised to make significant strides in the decarbonization of energy production for both industrial applications and the grid. By substituting conventional fossil fuel sources with the Stellarium technology, Stellaria estimates a remarkable potential to cut CO2 emissions and particulate matter from industrial sites by an astounding 99%.

To capitalize on this new funding, Stellaria plans to double its workforce, accelerating research and development surrounding its reactor technology. This initiative will allow the company to expand its research laboratory located in Grenoble by several million euros, which is crucial for sustaining scientific and industrial collaborations. Additionally, Stellaria aims to submit an Application for Authorisation to Create (DAC) a Basic Nuclear Installation (INB) to the safety authorities, paving the way for its prototype construction.

Nicolas Breyton, CEO of Stellaria, expressed enthusiasm regarding the funding, stating, "This funding round demonstrates the confidence of investors in the technical maturity of our molten-salt reactor, which opens up a new path toward the circular economy of the fuel cycle. We are laying the foundations for a model in which electro-intensive industries become self-sufficient in energy throughout the lifetime of their facilities. This is a key step toward the sustainable reindustrialisation of our territory."

As the world grapples with the pressing need for cleaner energy sources, Stellaria’s advancements in molten-salt nuclear reactor technology could play an instrumental role in reshaping the landscape of energy production, fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future.