Deep-tech startup Thorizon has secured €20 million in funding to accelerate the development of its advanced molten salt reactor, Thorizon One.
This includes €16 million as the first tranche of its Series A round, led by Invest-NL, with additional backing from Positron Ventures, PDENH, and Impuls Zeeland. The funding brings Thorizon halfway to its Series A target, with a focus on strengthening Europe’s energy security and leadership in nuclear innovation.
Thorizon’s Thorizon One reactor is designed to address two critical challenges in the energy transition: reducing carbon emissions and managing nuclear waste. The reactor uses a unique “cartridge” fuel system that repurposes long-lived nuclear waste as fuel, offering a scalable pathway to a circular nuclear economy. By harnessing molten salt technology, Thorizon aims to deliver inherently safe, cost-efficient, and rapidly deployable reactors that overcome traditional reservations about nuclear energy.
The recent funding will support the prototyping and demonstration of Thorizon One’s fuel system, finalize the reactor’s basic design, and advance licensing efforts. The company is targeting the start of construction by 2030, with pre-feasibility studies underway at three nuclear-designated sites in France and the Benelux region.
Thorizon has built a strong foundation for its technology, securing €42.5 million in total funding through a combination of equity and grants. The company has also forged key partnerships with industry leaders, including Orano for fuel development, Tractebel for engineering, and VDL Groep for prototyping. Collaborations with EDF and EPZ provide early operator input, while Dutch and French nuclear regulators have initiated a joint preparatory review of the Thorizon One design.
Molten salt reactors (MSRs) like Thorizon One offer several advantages over traditional nuclear reactors. They operate at lower pressures, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure, and can use a variety of fuels, including nuclear waste. The modular design of Thorizon One allows for faster deployment and scalability, making it a practical solution for Europe’s clean energy transition.
Thorizon’s efforts align with the EU Industrial Alliance on SMRs and the France 2030 program, which aim to position Europe as a global leader in nuclear innovation. By repurposing nuclear waste and providing a scalable, zero-carbon energy solution, Thorizon is addressing both environmental and energy security concerns.
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