Deep Fission Inc., a Berkeley-based startup, has raised $30 million in fresh funding to accelerate the development of small, underground nuclear reactors—a step forward for clean energy solutions worldwide.
Alongside this financing, Deep Fission completed a reverse merger with Surfside Acquisition Inc., paving the way for the company to go public. The fundraising round was oversubscribed, signaling strong investor confidence and growing enthusiasm for next-generation nuclear energy, especially as global demand for reliable, carbon-free power continues to rise.
Driven by surging electricity needs from factories, increasingly electrified homes, and the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers, the search for sustainable energy sources has taken on new urgency. While nuclear power once struggled to keep pace with cheaper natural gas and renewables, shifting market dynamics have reignited interest in advanced fission technologies.
“This is a unique moment for the nuclear industry,” said Deep Fission CEO Liz Muller. “We believe we can scale our technology rapidly and profitably to address the massive energy demand from AI data centers and other customers around the world.”
Deep Fission’s approach involves adapting borehole-drilling techniques, commonly used in oil and gas exploration, to install compact nuclear reactors roughly a mile underground. The natural shielding and pressure provided by deep rock layers are expected to enhance safety and reduce construction costs by up to 80%.
The company is currently participating in a U.S. Department of Energy initiative to deploy new nuclear technologies and aims to complete a pilot reactor system as early as next year.
