Thorizon, a deep-tech startup at the forefront of molten salt reactor technology, has raised €20 million to expedite the development of its cutting-edge small modular reactor, Thorizon One. This includes €16 million as the first portion of its Series A funding round, which is led by the Dutch National Promotional Institution, Invest-NL, and supported by an InvestEU guarantee from the European Commission for research. The round also sees strong support from Positron Ventures, PDENH, and Impuls Zeeland. All current shareholders have reaffirmed their commitment in this round of investment.
In addition, Thorizon has secured a €4 million grant from the Dutch Province of Noord-Brabant in collaboration with VDL Groep and Demcon. This follows an earlier €10 million grant from the French government’s France 2030 Innovative Reactor Program in 2024. Combining this with their first equity round, Thorizon has raised a total of €42.5 million to propel the commercialization of its innovative reactor technology.
This new funding brings Thorizon halfway toward its Series A target and emphasizes its efforts to attract European investors to enhance Europe’s energy security and leadership in nuclear technology. The capital will support the prototyping and demonstration of Thorizon One’s novel "cartridge" fuel system, designed to safely and cost-effectively generate power by recycling nuclear waste. Furthermore, Thorizon will finalize the basic design of the reactor, advance licensing processes, and prototype critical components as it moves toward initiating construction in 2030.
"With strong support from our investors and government partners, we are in a solid position to advance the development of Thorizon One," said Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon. "Our mission is to drive nuclear innovation in Europe — enhancing energy security while reducing carbon emissions and burning long-lived nuclear waste. We welcome new strategic partners to join us in making Europe’s first molten salt reactor a reality."
A next-generation reactor addressing traditional concerns surrounding nuclear energy, Thorizon One is engineered to deliver carbon-free power while repurposing long-lived nuclear waste as fuel. Its modular design and innovative cartridge-based fuel system provide a scalable pathway toward a circular nuclear economy. By leveraging molten salt technology, this reactor model offers inherent safety, cost efficiency, and faster deployment compared to conventional nuclear plants — a practical solution for Europe's clean energy transition.
A solid foundation has been established to propel molten salt reactor technology forward, backed by equity investments and grants. A team of 50 engineers operates from locations in Amsterdam and Lyon, working alongside key industry partners, including Orano for fuel development, Tractebel for engineering, and VDL Groep for prototyping. Collaboration efforts extend to EPZ for early operator insights and EDF for R&D. Dutch and French nuclear regulators have initiated a joint preparatory review of the Thorizon One design, with pre-feasibility studies underway at three nuclear-designated sites in France and the Benelux region, aligning with the goal of commencing construction by 2030.
Outreach to new strategic investors remains a priority to expand European operations. Support from the France 2030 program, endorsements from the EU Industrial Alliance on small modular reactors (SMRs), and commitments from Invest-NL and other key stakeholders position Thorizon as a leading force in European nuclear innovation. Long-term partners are invited to contribute to the next phase of development and help shape the future of clean energy in Europe.