The company striking oil in nuclear waste repositories.

Nuclear energy has long been recognized for its potential as a continuous and abundant power source. It produces a significantly larger amount of energy from a smaller amount of fuel compared to fossil fuels and, importantly, does so without the emissions associated with burning coal or gas. While some renewable energy advocates might advocate for wind or solar instead, base load power is required and nuclear energy is the only low-carbon source of this. Nuclear energy is a critical part of humanity’s quest for clean, reliable energy and without major action soon it becomes a diminishing tool in our arsenal. However, the management and disposal of nuclear waste have been persistent challenges that have held back the broader adoption of nuclear power, especially in the United States.

Curio Energy is confronting these challenges head-on. Imagine if BP struck oil and found a second Permian basin. There would be no hesitation to expand production and tap the wealth of a massive new energy source. Curio is doing exactly that, not with oil, but with the massive spent nuclear waste repositories around the US. Only 4% of the energy in this “waste” has been tapped, and the rest is left to sit and wither. Rather than viewing nuclear waste as a problem to be managed, Curio sees it as an untapped resource, a vast reservoir of potential energy waiting to be harnessed.

Name: Yechezkel Moskowitz

Email: rabbi@synergosholdings.com

Startup Sector: Energy

Startup Name: Curio

Startup URL: curio.energy

Define Invest with Impact: Investing in companies that solve the

world’s problems while creating value for all stakeholders.

Startup Problem: At Curio we are creating a vertically integrated solution to nuclear energy supply chains that are presently predominantly reliant on foreign sources.

Startup Stage: Prototyping

Fundraising Stage: Actively Fundraising

Startup Funding Desired: $6M

Startup Impact: This company will change the way we view nuclear forever.

Linkedin/twitter: Yechezkel Moskowitz Linkedin | Ed McGinnis Linkedin

What Best Describes your Invest with Impact Archetype: I am interested in solving problems in deep tech and building companies that are built around strong innovation stacks.

Curio’s innovative approach involves commercializing the case for a closed fuel cycle, where waste from nuclear reactors is reprocessed and reused, thereby reducing the volume of waste and extracting more energy. The company’s solution, “NuCycle™,” is set to revolutionize how we perceive nuclear energy. There are 86,000 metric tons of nuclear waste sitting around the United States, racking up fines for taxpayers, with over 2,000 metric tons being added every year. In its current state, this is a systemic problem that cripples the future adoption of nuclear power, as is necessary to solve the existential threat of climate change. NuCycle™ would allow 96% of this high-level waste to be removed and converted to valuable isotopes or fuel to power nuclear reactors, decreasing the amount that has to be mined and adding stability to the supply chain for current and next-generation reactors. This eliminates the Achille’s heel of many next-generation solutions, a lack of fuels for their reactors allowing for the massive growth potential that these solutions offer.

One of the most impressive facets of their approach is their continual partnership with national laboratories, which allows the company to harness the resources already built. From Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, and Idaho National laboratories, this collaboration not only maximizes the utility of existing infrastructure but also fosters innovation in nuclear waste management. Furthermore, Curio is in advanced talks to acquire facilities around the country, reinforcing its commitment to a vertically integrated solution to nuclear energy supply chains.

In addition to liberating a striking amount of energy from what has only been seen as waste that takes up space and costs the American taxpayer prodigious amounts of money, Curio will also become a leading producer in a dozen rare elements. This side benefits to the already massive impact of the recycling of nuclear fuel will position Curio as a leading supplier of these elements. In doing so, Curio will cut into the stranglehold that Russia and China have in this area, improving the geopolitical position of the United States.

Curio Energy isn’t just solving the nuclear waste problem; they’re transforming it into an opportunity. They’re reshaping our energy landscape and driving progress toward a sustainable and prosperous future. The company is a shining example of the “Invest with Impact” philosophy, using innovative solutions to drive positive change, not just in their industry but for our world.

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