Logo: TerraPower, Public domain

TerraPower

Nuclear reactor design and development company.

Nuclear energyEnergyMedical isotopes

Active^{Source [8]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About TerraPower

TerraPower develops advanced nuclear technologies for power generation and medicine. Its main product is Natrium, a sodium fast reactor paired with energy storage, and its affiliate TerraPower Isotopes produces medical isotopes such as actinium-225 for cancer treatment.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}^{Source [1]}

It was founded by Bill Gates, its chairman since 2006, with Nathan Myhrvold and John Gilleland; it began as a spin-out of Intellectual Ventures, and the TerraPower company was formed in 2008. Gilleland was CEO from 2008 to 2015, and Chris Levesque is president and CEO.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

It is privately held and has raised money from Gates, SK, NVentures (NVIDIA's venture arm) and others, along with Department of Energy cost-share funding for its first Natrium plant. In January 2026 Meta agreed to fund two Natrium units and take rights to energy from up to six more.^{Source [4]}^{Source [5]}^{Source [1]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [3]}

The NRC approved the Natrium construction permit in March 2026, and construction of Kemmerer Unit 1 in Wyoming began on April 23, 2026.^{Source [3]}^{Source [8]}

What happened

Founded by Bill Gates with Nathan Myhrvold and John Gilleland to develop advanced nuclear energy, with Gates as chairman since 2006. The NRC approved a construction permit for its Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming in March 2026, and TerraPower announced the start of construction of Kemmerer Unit 1 on April 23, 2026. It remains privately held.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [3]}

Timeline

2026-04-23Began construction of Kemmerer Unit 1, its first Natrium plant.^{Source [8]}
2026-03-04NRC approved the Natrium construction permit.^{Source [3]}
2026-01-09Signed an agreement with Meta covering up to eight Natrium units.^{Source [3]}^{Source [7]}
2025-06Raised $650 million with backing from NVentures.^{Source [4]}
2022-11-03Completed an $830 million equity raise co-led by SK and Bill Gates.^{Source [5]}
2008TerraPower company formed by Gates, Myhrvold and Gilleland.^{Source [2]}
2006Bill Gates became chairman.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

Products and brands

Natrium: Sodium fast reactor paired with energy storage; first plant under construction in Kemmerer, Wyoming.^{Source [2]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [1]}
TerraPower Isotopes: Medical isotopes, including actinium-225, for targeted alpha cancer therapy.^{Source [2]}^{Source [3]}
Molten Chloride Fast Reactor: Molten salt reactor under development.^{Source [5]}^{Source [1]}

How it makes money: Develops and licenses reactor technology and builds plants with utility and corporate partners, funded by private equity, customer agreements and government cost-share; separately sells medical isotopes.^{Source [5]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}

Leadership

Bill Gates	Chairman of the Board^{Source [2]}	Since 2006
Chris Levesque	President and CEO^{Source [2]}^{Source [8]}
Nathan Myhrvold	Vice Chairman of the Board^{Source [2]}
John Gilleland	Chief Technical Officer^{Source [2]}
George Wilson	Chief Nuclear Officer^{Source [2]}

Funding and financials

Date	Round	Amount	Investors
2025-06	Equity raise^{Source [4]}	$650 million	Existing and new backers including NVentures (NVIDIA)
2022	Equity raise^{Source [5]}^{Source [6]}	$830 million	Co-led by SK Inc., SK Innovation and Bill Gates; ArcelorMittal and others

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 5 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Bill Gates	Founder, Chairman2006 to now	Breakthrough Energy2015 to nowActiveGates Ventures2008 to nowActiveGates Foundation2000 to nowActiveMicrosoft1975 to 2020IPOTraf-O-DataShut down

Sources

TerraPower, Wikipedia. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
About, TerraPower. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
News, TerraPower. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Nvidia Backs $650 Million Capital Raise for Bill Gates' Nuclear Tech Company TerraPower, ESG Today, 2025-06-19. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
TerraPower Announces $830 Million Secured in 2022, TerraPower, 2022-11-03. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Bill Gates' company TerraPower raises $750 million for nuclear energy and medicine innovation, CNBC, 2022-08-15. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Meta Announces Nuclear Energy Projects, Unlocking Up to 6.6 GW to Power American Leadership in AI Innovation, Meta, 2026-01-09. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
TerraPower Commences Construction on America's First Utility-Scale Advanced Nuclear Power Plant, TerraPower, 2026-04-23. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

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