Thorizon Secures €20 Million for Innovative Nuclear Reactor Development
Zeeland, Thursday, 13 March 2025.
Dutch startup Thorizon raises €20M to develop a modular nuclear reactor using nuclear waste, aiming for a circular energy economy. Construction of Thorizon One starts by 2030.
Strategic Investment for Nuclear Innovation
Amsterdam-based Thorizon has secured a significant funding package, including €16 million as the first tranche of its Series A round, led by Invest-NL, and a €4 million grant from the Dutch Province of Noord-Brabant [1][4]. The investment, backed by an InvestEU guarantee from the European Commission, also saw strong participation from Positron Ventures, PDENH, and Impuls Zeeland [1]. This latest funding brings Thorizon’s total capital raised to €42.5 million, including a previous €10 million grant from the France 2030 Innovative Reactor Program in 2024 [3].
Revolutionary Reactor Technology
The Thorizon One reactor represents a significant advancement in nuclear technology, designed to deliver 250 MWt of industrial heat or generate 100 MWe of electricity [3]. The company’s innovative ‘walk-away safe’ molten salt reactor technology distinguishes itself by utilizing long-lived nuclear waste as fuel, creating a circular approach to nuclear energy [1]. With 50 engineers based in Amsterdam and Lyon, Thorizon is currently assessing three potential construction sites across France and the Benelux region [3].
Industry Collaboration and Regulatory Progress
Since Invest-NL’s initial investment in 2022, Thorizon has demonstrated substantial progress in both team growth and technological development [5]. The company has established strategic partnerships with industry leaders including Orano, Tractebel, VDL, and EDF [1]. Currently, both Dutch and French nuclear safety agencies are conducting preparatory reviews to facilitate pre-licensing applications anticipated in 2025 [3].
Path to Implementation
The newly secured funding will primarily drive the prototyping and demonstration of Thorizon One’s groundbreaking ‘cartridge’ fuel system [1]. Under the leadership of CEO Kiki Lauwers, the company aims to finalize the reactor’s basic design and advance through licensing processes while prototyping key components [5]. Construction is targeted to begin in 2030, with deployment expected by 2032 [3].