BLUECORE ENERGY Raises $50 Million Seed Round to Accelerate Maritime Nuclear Deployment
BLUECORE ENERGY, a maritime nuclear energy company developing compact, water-cooled nuclear power systems, led by Kofi Asante and the team, has announced the close of a $50 million seed financing to accelerate development, testing, and deployment of its floating nuclear energy systems.
The financing represents a significant expansion of Bluecore Energy’s initial $10 million pre-seed round announced when the company emerged from stealth in July. The round, led by Silverton Partners, includes substantial continued participation from existing investors Slauson & Co., with participation from Harlem Capital, Precursor Ventures, LMNT, Visible Hands VC, Karman Ventures, Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple, Capital Factory, Share VC, X&, Markham Ventures, and Hartbeat Ventures. The round also includes new investors, MaC Ventures, Collab Capital, Vanderbilt, Scribble, Fortson, Borusan, Symphony Ventures, Act One Ventures, Animal Capital, Black Angel Group, Rackhouse Ventures, including Simu Lu's firm Markham Ventures, Kevin Hart’s firm Hartbeat Ventures, Joel Embiid, NBAYoungboy, Malik Monk, Taijuan Walker, and a group of strategic angel investors who are former leaders at Tesla, Uber, Amazon, and Google.
“Bluecore Energy is pursuing a fundamentally new approach to delivering reliable, zero-emission power to some of the world’s most energy-intensive and strategically important locations. We believe the combination of proven water-cooled reactor technology and a floating, modular platform has the potential to open an entirely new market for nuclear energy, and we’re excited to partner with the team as they bring that vision to life.” - Silverton Partners
The new capital follows rapid progress across technology development, federal nuclear testing, maritime classification, regulatory engagement, and infrastructure.
Since emerging from stealth, Bluecore Energy has expanded its headquarters and development operations at the Port of Long Beach, secured its first barge, advanced development of its first maritime nuclear energy system, and progressed regulatory work with the NRC and U.S. Coast Guard.
“Six months ago, we were building the foundation. Today, we have the capital, the team, the hardware, and some of the most important institutions in nuclear and maritime working alongside us. Our focus now is simple: create and deliver zero-emission energy as safely and quickly as possible. ,” said Kofi Asante, Founder and CEO of Bluecore Energy.
From Capital to Execution.
Bluecore Energy is developing floating nuclear power systems designed to deliver reliable, zero-emission energy to ports, critical infrastructure, and other high-demand locations. Its initial system is designed to produce approximately 10 MWe of continuous power using water-cooled nuclear technology and a maritime architecture capable of operating for years between refueling.
The financing will support engineering, hardware development, testing, regulatory and classification work, manufacturing, hiring, and progress toward deployment. Building on decades of nuclear and maritime experience, Bluecore aims to make nuclear power smaller, scalable, and deployable on water.
“We invested in Bluecore Energy because of the scale of the opportunity and the team’s ability to execute. What they have accomplished in a remarkably short period of time has only strengthened that conviction. This is a team building real infrastructure to address one of the most important energy challenges of our generation.” - Slauson&Co.
Building the Safety and Regulatory Pathway.
Bluecore Energy is developing its technology alongside the institutions responsible for regulating commercial maritime nuclear power, including the NRC and U.S. Coast Guard. The company has begun formal regulatory engagement with both agencies, which have established a framework for coordinating requirements around civilian floating nuclear power systems.
The approach builds on more than 70 years of U.S. experience with light-water reactors, which today supply roughly 20% of the country’s electricity. Bluecore is adapting this proven technology to a smaller maritime system, with safety, licensing, and classification developed alongside the technology rather than after it.
“The regulatory landscape for commercial nuclear maritime is coming together at exactly the right time. The MOU between the NRC and Coast Guard signals that the federal government is taking maritime nuclear seriously, and our experience so far has been encouraging. We've had both agencies at the table from our very first meeting, actively coordinating. That kind of early collaboration gives us a lot of confidence in the path forward,” said Megan Moyette, Licensing & Safety Lead at BLUECORE ENERGY. 13-year Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer
Nuclear Power Designed for the Maritime Environment.
Unlike conventional land-based nuclear plants, Bluecore Energy is designing its systems from the outset for floating maritime platforms, offering greater flexibility in where they can operate. Depending on regulatory and safety requirements, future systems could serve ports, AI data centers, and coastal infrastructure, including from offshore locations.
This architecture could enable power generation without requiring reactors to occupy valuable land or sit directly alongside the communities they serve. Sites and operating configurations will be determined through federal, maritime, environmental, security, and safety processes.
Building at the Port of Long Beach.
Bluecore Energy is headquartered at the Port of Long Beach, where it is developing its first maritime nuclear energy system. The company’s presence places its engineering team inside a major U.S. maritime and logistics hub as it develops and validates the technology.
The Port and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration have also established a framework to explore maritime energy systems, including small modular reactors, resilient port microgrids, shoreside power, and advanced vessel propulsion.
Bluecore is currently developing a non-fueled reactor module prototype at the Port to validate monitoring, sensor, and control systems. Future fueled systems would be deployed in maritime environments appropriate to their regulatory, operational, and safety requirements.
“There is no better place to launch the next generation of zero-emission maritime energy than the world’s first Green Port,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “Long Beach has always been where global trade meets innovation, and today we’re becoming the place where the technologies that will power the future of the maritime economy are developed. BLUECORE ENERGY’s decision to build here reflects the momentum we’re creating by bringing together clean technology, advanced manufacturing, and world-class talent to grow the industries that will define the next generation
“Guided by our new 2050 vision, the Port of Long Beach is preparing for a future defined by electrification, growing energy demand, and the transition to zero-emissions operations, which will require hundreds of megawatts of energy. Meeting that future will require new technologies and approaches to energy sources. We are excited to welcome BLUECORE ENERGY to the Port of Long Beach and its commitment to developing zero-emissions energy SMR solutions alongside the maritime community,” said Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach.
Building the Team Behind Maritime Nuclear.
Bluecore Energy’s team combines expertise across nuclear engineering, U.S. Navy nuclear operations, licensing, maritime systems, manufacturing, aerospace, and advanced technology, with experience at organizations including SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Toyota, Rivian, and Uber.
The new capital will support further hiring as Bluecore scales its technology, infrastructure, and institutional partnerships toward commercial deployment. Its mission: Democratize access to clean energy.
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