Advanced nuclear companies are accelerating their path to public markets, with two major startups planning listings that could raise nearly $812 million combined to develop small modular reactors and specialized fuel for AI-hungry data centers. This wave of public funding signals growing investor confidence in nuclear technology as a solution to the massive electricity demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Why Are Nuclear Startups Going Public Now?

France-based newcleo is moving toward a Nasdaq listing through a planned business combination with NewHold Investment Corp. III, with the combined company expected to trade under the ticker NWCL in the second half of 2026. The transaction could provide up to $429 million in gross proceeds, though the final amount may be lower after expenses and shareholder redemptions.

Simultaneously, Standard Nuclear has proposed an initial public offering that could raise up to $383.3 million. Together, these two listings represent a significant shift in how advanced nuclear technology is being financed, moving beyond venture capital and government grants into mainstream public markets.

What sets newcleo apart is its integrated business model. Unlike many nuclear developers that focus solely on reactor design, newcleo is building both advanced modular reactors and the specialized fuel needed to operate them. The fuel would be made partly from recycled nuclear materials, which could help reduce nuclear waste while producing reliable electricity and industrial heat.

How Are Advanced Reactors Designed to Power AI Data Centers?

• Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors: newcleo is developing lead-cooled fast reactor technology and has submitted a Regulatory Engagement Plan to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, signaling progress toward eventual licensing in the United States.
• Compact Fast Reactors: Companies like Oklo Inc. are developing compact fast reactors to provide reliable, carbon-free electricity specifically designed for data centers, industrial facilities, and other energy-intensive users.
• Small Modular Reactors: NuScale Power is among the leading developers of small modular reactor technology and is the first company to receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for a design, with projects advancing in the United States and overseas, including Romania.

The timing of these public listings reflects a broader industry trend. As artificial intelligence adoption drives higher power demand, nuclear developers are positioning their technologies to deliver dependable round-the-clock electricity that doesn't rely on weather conditions like solar and wind power.

What Real-World Projects Are Already Underway?

The nuclear-AI energy connection is moving beyond investor presentations into concrete projects. At the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) in Pike County, Ohio, a massive redevelopment effort is underway that demonstrates how advanced nuclear and AI infrastructure can be integrated at scale.

Oklo Inc. and Meta Platforms have agreed to develop an advanced nuclear small modular reactor power project at PORTS that will provide up to 1.2 gigawatts of electricity dedicated to Meta's data centers in the region. Additionally, SB Energy, a SoftBank Group company, announced a unique public-private partnership to construct what it describes as the world's largest AI data center at PORTS and committed to building 9.2 gigawatts of new power generation.

The U.S. Department of Energy is supporting this transformation with $900 million in funding for Centrus Energy Corp. to expand its uranium enrichment operations at the site. These developments represent what Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez described as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity for southern Ohio and the future of the region's economy".

"What is happening at PORTS represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for southern Ohio and the future of the region's economy. The transformation of this site into a hub for advanced energy, manufacturing and artificial intelligence demonstrates the power of collaboration among government, industry, higher education and community partners," said Lori Stewart Gonzalez, President of Ohio University.

Lori Stewart Gonzalez, President of Ohio University

How Are Universities Preparing the Next Generation of Nuclear Professionals?

As the nuclear industry expands, educational institutions are stepping up to build expertise in nuclear law and regulation. Six universities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean have launched postgraduate courses in nuclear law with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressing a critical gap in legal education for the nuclear sector.

The new programs are offered at Alexandria University in Egypt, the Institute of Nuclear Engineering in Brazil, Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates, the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. The University of Buenos Aires was the first to launch its postgraduate course in nuclear law in May 2024 and is now running its second session, while the other five institutions launched their courses by the end of October 2025.

"The creation of the Diploma in Nuclear Law at the University of Buenos Aires embodies a forward-looking commitment to cultivating a new generation of legal experts who, in line with the IAEA's mission, will ensure that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy advance human development, international security, and the rule of law in a responsible and sustainable manner," said Emiliano J. Buis, professor and course coordinator at the Argentine university's School of Law.

Emiliano J. Buis, Professor and Course Coordinator, University of Buenos Aires School of Law

The IAEA has supported these partner universities through capacity-building and course development by training professors and teaching staff, designing syllabi, developing teaching methodology, and providing teaching materials. The goal is to ensure that universities can deliver nuclear law courses independently and to the highest academic standards within their national educational systems.

The convergence of public market funding, real-world infrastructure projects, and educational expansion suggests that advanced nuclear technology is transitioning from a speculative investment thesis to a practical infrastructure solution. As AI data centers continue to consume unprecedented amounts of electricity, the nuclear industry is positioning itself as a key provider of the carbon-free, reliable power these facilities require.