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VC funding surges for US nuclear fusion and fission startups amid AI demand
Global investment in fission and fusion has topped $4.5 billion across 81 companies this year, putting 2026 on track to exceed 2025’s $6.2 billion record.
Venture capital has surged into nuclear energy startups, spanning both fusion and fission, as artificial intelligence drives expectations for much higher power demand, according to OilPrice, citing Axios reporting.
The outlet reports that global investment in fission and fusion has already topped $4.5 billion across 81 companies in 2026 so far. At the current pace, OilPrice says the total could shatter 2025’s previous benchmark of $6.2 billion across 93 companies by year end.
OilPrice also links the funding acceleration to data center hyperscalers raising energy demand projections to levels that would require an all-of-the-above approach, with nuclear positioned as a steady, zero-emissions electricity source.
In the United States, OilPrice says public and private stakeholders are increasingly bullish on ushering in a new nuclear era, with most of this year’s funding going to US companies. The outlet adds that major tech investors, including Bill Gates and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, have backed nuclear fusion as a response to the energy challenge tied to AI, quoting Altman’s view that progress depends on a breakthrough.