Sure, nuclear energy is often viewed as a long game for the big boys—decades-long projects, deep pockets, and government involvement (see my post about it here). But if you're not keen on waiting until 2030 or beyond for that so-called nuclear renaissance, here's what you can do right now.
In my recent research for an investor, I found three nuclear niches where startups can make money this decade—and not by betting on far-off futuristic projects:
1️⃣ Long-Term Operation (LTO): Fancy term for extending the life of existing nuclear plants. This significantly reduces nuclear energy costs and offers plenty of opportunities for startups in advanced materials, robotics, and industrial AI. Want to improve the efficiency of an existing plant? This is where you come in.
2️⃣ Decommissioning: We're not just talking about shutting down nuclear power plants—this includes everything along the nuclear supply chain, like decommissioning nuclear fuel production facilities. There’s a huge market for innovations in nuclear fuel recycling, safe storage, material science, and AI here.
3️⃣ Nuclear-Powered Ships: The tech is ready; the challenge is regulation. Startups like Core Power and TerraPower are betting that regulatory barriers will ease soon. Nuclear-powered vessels could be a game-changer, and this market is heating up.
These niches are offering cash flow now, while most nuclear startups don’t expect cash until 2035. 🤑
In the coming weeks, I’ll be diving deeper into each of these markets—so stay tuned! 🚀 You can subscribe to my mailing list so you don't miss out when I post next.