Zeno Power

About Zeno Power

Zeno Power develops compact, long-duration radioisotope power systems (RPS), commonly known as nuclear batteries, designed to provide electricity in extreme environments where conventional power sources are unviable. Founded in 2018 by Vanderbilt University alumni Tyler Bernstein (CEO), Jonathan Segal (COO), and Jake Matthews (CTO), the company originated from a university project exploring advanced nuclear applications. The founders combined their interests in nuclear technology and beneficial uses for used nuclear fuel to establish the company.

The company's core business revolves around designing and manufacturing RPSs that convert heat from the natural decay of radioisotopes into electricity. Zeno's main innovation is a patented fuel and shielding design that enables the use of strontium-90 (Sr-90), an abundant nuclear waste byproduct, to create lightweight, scalable, and cost-effective power systems. This approach contrasts with legacy systems that were often heavy and inefficient or relied on scarce materials like plutonium-238. The company is also developing systems utilizing americium-241 (Am-241) for long-duration space missions.

Zeno Power primarily serves government and commercial clients in the aerospace, defense, and maritime sectors. Its business model is based on securing contracts to develop and deliver these specialized power systems. The company has secured over $60 million in contracts from clients including NASA and various branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, such as the Space Force and the Navy. These contracts are for applications such as powering lunar landers to survive the two-week lunar night, enabling persistent seabed infrastructure for the Navy, and providing energy for highly maneuverable satellites. The company plans to deliver its first full-scale systems to customers between 2026 and 2027.

Zeno Power has raised over $70 million in total capital, including a $50 million Series B round in May 2025 led by Hanaco Ventures. The company has dual headquarters in Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. Key milestones include the successful demonstration of its first nuclear prototype at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in 2023, securing a fuel supply from the U.S. Department of Energy by recycling legacy radioactive material, and partnering with Westinghouse to fabricate its nuclear heat sources.