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MIT
Apollo Atomics, Inc.
ActiveWe make the most compact nuclear machines.
Spring 2026Cambridge, MA, USA
AI insightcan contain mistakes
Compact Nuclear ReactorsHardwareUtilities, industrial facilities, remote locationsLow competition
Moat
Advanced nuclear engineering; regulatory approval and licensing; first-mover advantage in compact design.
Key risk
Regulatory delays and cost overruns; public perception of nuclear; competition from renewables + storage; long development timelines.
Why now
Energy transition, data center power demands, grid decarbonization driving SMR investment.
Competitors
NuScale, Terrapower, Commonwealth Fusion, incumbent nuclear vendors
Founders · 2
Assil HalimiFounder
Founder at Apollo Atomics, Inc. (YC P26). PhD in Nuclear Engineering from MIT with 15 peer-reviewed publications and 2 patents on reactor design and fuel optimization. Previously reactor operator at Engie (Belgium's nuclear operator) and advanced reactor designer at EDF (world's largest nuclear operator). Worked with Westinghouse, NuScale, Rolls-Royce on PWR development.
Drew WalkerCo-Founder/COO
🎓 George Washington University
Co-Founder & COO of Apollo Atomics (YC P26). He previously co-founded Blue Innovations Group, an electric boat startup, and served in the White House. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from George Washington University.
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