Antares Raises $96M Series B to Advance Compact Nuclear Microreactor Development
Antares, an advanced nuclear energy startup developing compact microreactors for resilient power generation across defense, industrial, and space applications, has raised $96 million in a Series B funding round to accelerate the development and deployment of its next-generation nuclear technology. The financing round includes both new equity capital and debt, and marks a significant step forward for the company as it scales operations and prepares for key technology demonstrations that could usher in a new class of small modular reactors.
The Series B round was led by Shine Capital and included participation from Alt Capital, Caffeinated, FiftyThree Stations, Industrious and other strategic investors. The financing package consists of $71 million in new equity to back research, manufacturing, and team expansion efforts, as well as $25 million in debt capital earmarked for equipment acquisition, factory build-out, and uranium procurement.
Founded just over two years ago by CEO Jordan Bramble and a team of nuclear and engineering veterans, Antares is developing compact nuclear microreactors designed to deliver reliable and scalable electrical power where conventional infrastructure is limited or unavailable. The company’s technology targets remote military bases, industrial facilities in energy-constrained regions, and future applications in deep space and underwater environments. Antares has raised more than $130 million in funding to date through both equity rounds and strategic partnerships that support its rapid progress toward operational readiness.
With the Series B proceeds, Antares plans to support the completion of its 145,000-square-foot facility in Torrance, California—a manufacturing complex intended to ultimately produce up to 10 microreactor units annually. The capital will also fund ongoing work to demonstrate a low-power test reactor later in 2026 and advance its first full-scale electricity-producing prototype, targeted for 2027. Production units are envisioned to enter commercial and government deployment as early as 2028.
Antares has secured a series of strategic contracts and collaborations that complement its private funding. The company’s technology development has been supported through engagements with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Defense Innovation Unit, and NASA, positioning it to contribute to resilient energy solutions for defense and exploration missions. Additionally, partnerships with national laboratories and research institutions have aided Antares in refining its reactor designs and preparing for rigorous demonstration milestones.
In describing the funding milestone, CEO Jordan Bramble emphasized that the Series B financing provides the necessary capital to mobilize Antares’s development efforts and validate its technology in real-world conditions. According to company leadership, the injections of both equity and debt financing will support critical tasks such as testing control systems, validating neutronics models, developing a testing facility, and fabricating nuclear fuel for upcoming prototype campaigns.
The investor syndicate backing Antares reflects broader interest in advanced energy and next-generation nuclear technologies. Shine Capital’s lead role underscores its confidence in Antares’s engineering capabilities and the potential market for compact reactors, particularly as governments and industrial customers seek resilient and low-carbon power solutions. Alt Capital, Caffeinated, FiftyThree Stations, and Industrious also bring diverse expertise across technology, defense, and industrial sectors that may support Antares’s strategic growth.
Antares’s technology centers on small modular reactor designs that leverage TRISO-based fuel and advanced safety features intended to enable robust performance in challenging environments. These microreactors are designed to generate between 100 kilowatts and 1 megawatt of electricity, sufficient to power small communities, forward operating bases, research installations, and critical infrastructure in isolated settings.
The nuclear energy sector has experienced renewed investment interest in recent years as global energy systems grapple with decarbonization goals, grid reliability challenges, and rising demand for secure power supplies. Antares’s fundraising success comes amid this backdrop of heightened interest in nuclear innovation, with investors seeking opportunities in technologies that promise scalable and flexible clean energy solutions.
Looking ahead, Antares is positioning itself to demonstrate its first microreactor prototype in the near term, with plans to further expand manufacturing capacity and pursue additional commercial and government contracts. With the Series B funds secured, the company aims to accelerate its mission to deliver compact, resilient power systems that can operate across diverse terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments.
