NuCube Energy announced it has secured $13 million in funding as electricity demand surges across artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and industrial reshoring sectors in the United States. The financing round was led by Arizona Nuclear Ventures and included investments from Emission Reduction Corporation and individual investors Rob Walton and Jordan Rose Walton.
Co-founded in 2023 at Idealab Studio by entrepreneur Bill Gross and nuclear engineer Dr. Cristian Rabiti, NuCube is developing a high-temperature modular microreactor that delivers both electricity and industrial heat up to 1,100 degrees Celsius. The company’s architecture is engineered for simplicity, inherent safety, and supply-chain efficiency, with the goal of enabling scalable deployment across industrial campuses, remote operations, and rapidly expanding data infrastructure.
NuCube is headquartered in Idaho Falls, near Idaho National Laboratory, and is expanding its footprint in Arizona as grid demand accelerates due to semiconductor expansion, advanced manufacturing growth and hyperscale data center development.
The funding will support materials testing, refinement of the final reactor design configuration and continued regulatory engagement as the company advances toward licensing, demonstration and eventual commercial deployment. NuCube’s proprietary no-moving-parts design is intended to provide both high-temperature industrial heat and reliable electricity, positioning the platform to compete with natural gas in energy-intensive industrial applications while also serving distributed and remote power markets.
Arizona leaders said the investment aligns with broader efforts to position Greater Phoenix and the state as a hub for advanced nuclear innovation, supporting grid resilience and long-term economic competitiveness.
KEY QUOTES:
“Over the past year, we have designed a series of technical validation tests to generate the data required to support regulatory engagement. This funding allows us to perform those critical tests, advance toward licensing, and move decisively toward demonstration. Our focus is building a reactor platform that is not only safe and efficient, but also economically viable and scalable.”
Dr. Cristian Rabiti, Chief Executive Officer Of NuCube Energy
“Arizona’s growth across advanced industries is driving demand for reliable, always-on power. We’re excited to welcome NuCube’s expanding operations and support next-generation energy technologies that strengthen grid resilience and long-term competitiveness.”
Sandra Watson, President And Chief Executive Officer Of The Arizona Commerce Authority
“Advancing next-generation nuclear innovation in Greater Phoenix demonstrates the region’s leadership in transformative energy infrastructure. NuCube’s commitment to the region reinforces our standing as a globally competitive market for the advanced industries that are driving the world economy.”
Christine Mackay, President And Chief Executive Officer Of The Greater Phoenix Economic Council
“With Arizona Nuclear Ventures leading this round, NuCube gains more than capital. Arizona has emerged as one of the most dynamic growth corridors in the country—spanning advanced manufacturing, semiconductor expansion, and hyperscale data infrastructure. The demand for reliable, scalable energy is accelerating rapidly, and we believe NuCube’s high-temperature microreactor platform is uniquely aligned with that opportunity.”
John Schreiber, General Partner Of Arizona Nuclear Ventures And Board Member Of NuCube Energy
“The next era of nuclear must be fundamentally simpler if it is going to scale. As electricity consumption rises globally—driven by AI, electrification, and industrial reshoring—advanced nuclear will be essential to sustaining economic growth. NuCube is focused on technology reinvention: designing a novel, safer, simpler reactor that is elegant, licensable, and capable of delivering the high-temperature heat and reliable power modern industry demands. NuCube’s proprietary, no-moving parts design is truly revolutionary. Unlike many microreactor concepts focused primarily on remote electricity generation, NuCube’s platform is designed to address high-temperature industrial heat applications and achieve cost competitiveness on the broader grid. I am excited to see all the benefits that the new funding will yield.”
Bill Gross, Co-Founder Of NuCube Energy
“Reliable, affordable energy is foundational to economic growth. Technologies that can deliver dependable power at scale will be increasingly important. NuCube is pursuing an approach we believe is worth supporting.”
Rob Walton, Investor
