Cambridge AtomWorks
Cambridge Atomworks develops ODIN, a 5 MW molten-salt-cooled nuclear micro-reactor for off-grid power supply to mining, remote communities, data centres, and developing markets. The pre-revenue UK startup targets a demonstration unit by 2030 and commercial deployment by the mid-2030s.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersCambridge, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cambridge AtomWorks does
Cambridge Atomworks (legal entity: Cambridge Atomworks (2024) Limited) is a UK-based nuclear engineering startup developing the ODIN micro-reactor, a 5 MW transportable, low-pressure, molten-salt-cooled, solid-fuel fission system intended for off-grid electricity supply to mining operators, remote and island communities, developing-country markets, and high-power-density facilities such as AI data centres. The company was established in January 2023 as a consulting partnership to develop the ODIN design for NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., then incorporated as a UK corporate vehicle in May 2024. After NANO Nuclear's strategic pivot toward fixed reactors for the data-centre market, Cambridge Atomworks repurchased the ODIN intellectual property for $6.2 million and refocused on becoming a UK-based reactor delivery company with global deployment rights.
ODIN's technology stack centres on a molten-nitrate-salt coolant that achieves high-temperature liquid operation without pressurisation, eliminating the pressure-vessel qualification burden of conventional water-cooled designs. Fuel and moderator are co-located in a compact solid-fuel package originating from General Atomics' TRIGA line under the Atoms for Peace programme. The reactor is designed to be walk-away safe using air as the ultimate heat sink via natural circulation and a Reactor Auxiliary Air Cooling System (RVACS), enabling deployment without a local water source. Radiation stability of the novel coolant salt is being characterised through ongoing irradiation campaigns at MIT (MITR reactor) and Idaho National Laboratory. Power conversion and heat rejection are integrated into a transportable architecture deliverable via standard transport infrastructure with minimal on-site assembly.
The business model is presently pre-revenue, with anticipated monetisation channels being (i) hardware sales of ODIN micro-reactor units to off-grid customers, (ii) licensing of reactor design IP, and (iii) engineering and technical consulting services tied to reactor deployment. Cambridge Atomworks generates no disclosed revenue today and targets an operational ODIN demonstration by the end of the 2020s and first commercial off-grid deployment with an anchor partner in the mid-2030s. The go-to-market is sales-led and direct, targeting off-grid industries and remote communities through strategic partnerships with engineering consultancies (notably Mott MacDonald), technical collaborations with materials testing institutes (TWI, MIT, Idaho National Laboratory), and industry association membership (WNTI, NIA). Geographic focus begins in the UK and extends to Africa, India and the United States.
Cambridge AtomWorks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cambridge AtomWorks
- Legal name
- Cambridge Atomworks (2024) Limited
- Website
- https://cambridgeatomworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cambridge Atomworks develops ODIN, a 5 MW molten-salt-cooled nuclear micro-reactor for off-grid power supply to mining, remote communities, data centres, and developing markets. The pre-revenue UK startup targets a demonstration unit by 2030 and commercial deployment by the mid-2030s.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cambridge AtomWorks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Nuclear Micro-Reactors
- NAICS
- Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors) (EUAKADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation) (EUAKADAI), Steam Supply System & Turbine Island Interfaces (Steam Generators, Heat Exchangers) (EUAKADAF), Nuclear Steam Supply System Components & Turbine Islands (IMAHAFAG)
Keywords
Where Cambridge AtomWorks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cambridge AtomWorks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Nuclear Micro-Reactor Sales and Deployment: Sale and deployment of ODIN micro-reactor systems to off-grid customers including mining operations, remote communities, and industrial facilities. Revenue from initial reactor sales with potential for service and maintenance contracts.
- Licensing and IP: Following the buyback of ODIN IP from NANO Nuclear for $6.2m, Cambridge Atomworks retains full ownership of reactor design for UK deployment and global commercial deployment rights.
- Technical Services: Engineering and technical consulting services related to reactor design, licensing, and deployment support.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Cambridge AtomWorks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cambridge AtomWorks designs and develops the ODIN micro-reactor, a 5 MW transportable nuclear fission reactor using low-pressure molten-salt coolant and solid-fuel technology with integrated power conversion and heat rejection systems. The company is engineering this compact, walk-away-safe reactor for off-grid electricity supply to mining operations, developing countries, remote and island communities, and AI data centers.
Product overview
Cambridge Atomworks is a UK-based nuclear engineering startup focused on delivering the ODIN nuclear micro-reactor - a single unified product. The ODIN is a compact, transportable, low-pressure molten-salt-cooled solid-fuel fission reactor integrated with power conversion and heat rejection systems. The company is embedded within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem and leverages strategic partnerships with academic institutions (MIT, Idaho National Laboratory, Whittle Lab) and industry partners (TWI, TEi, Mott MacDonald) for technology development and testing capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ODIN Micro-reactor A 5 MW transportable nuclear micro-reactor using low-pressure molten-salt coolant and solid-fuel fission technology, designed for off-grid electricity supply to mining sites, developing countries, remote and island communities, and high-power-density facilities such as AI data centers. Features inherent and passive safety characteristics with air as the ultimate heat sink, walk-away safe in any deployment scenario without requiring a water source.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5 MW power output from compact transportable micro-reactor
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cambridge AtomWorks
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cambridge AtomWorks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cambridge AtomWorks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.
- Mott MacDonaldcoreMott MacDonald signed MoU with Cambridge Atomworks to accelerate development of ODIN microreactor technology. Providing technical support in nuclear engineering, safety and licensing, project delivery, systems integration, and digital engineering. Employee-owned engineering consultancy with over 1,000 qualified nuclear experts globally.
- WNTI (World Nuclear Transport Institute)keyCambridge Atomworks became member of WNTI, the global nuclear transport industry's dedicated membership organisation committed to driving highest standards of safety and security in transport of nuclear materials.
- TWI (The Welding Institute)coreTWI provides corrosion and structural integrity testing support for Cambridge Atomworks. Cambridge Atomworks is an industrial member of TWI. TWI provides leased laboratory space at Granta Park.
- Thermal Engineering International (TEi)keyTEi provides heat exchanger design and manufacturability expertise for the ODIN micro-reactor system.
- Whittle Laboratory, University of CambridgekeyCollaboration with Whittle Lab for turbine technology development to improve aero-thermal performance of turbomachines for land-based power.
- NIA (Nuclear Industry Association)keyCambridge Atomworks is a member of NIA, the UK's civil nuclear trade association supporting over 300 companies across the supply chain.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)keyStrategic collaborations with MIT researchers including Prof Koroush Shirvan (salt irradiation and inline monitoring of radiolysis products) and Prof Michael Short (cladding and reactor vessel corrosion in salt under irradiation). Irradiation campaigns using MITR reactor.
- Idaho National LaboratorykeySalt irradiation campaigns conducted with Idaho National Laboratory researchers at Idaho State University accelerator facility. Radiation stability testing of novel coolant salt using accelerator, gamma and reactor sources.
- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.keyCambridge Atomworks purchased the ODIN micro-reactor intellectual property from NANO Nuclear for $6.2 million. Previously developed design for NANO Nuclear as consulting partner. Design underwent pre-conceptual review by US DOE at Idaho National Laboratory in August 2023.
- University of CambridgecoreCambridge Atomworks is embedded within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem. Leadership team includes Cambridge University professors. Access to Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre and Nuclear Engineering Research Group.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cambridge AtomWorks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Oklo: US advanced reactor developer focused on compact fast reactors and microreactor products for data centres and defence customers — high overlap on off-grid, behind-the-meter nuclear value proposition.
Direct peers
- Moltex Energy: UK/Canada-based developer of stable salt reactor (SSR) and molten salt fuel technology — multiple Cambridge AtomWorks team members (Peter Haigh, James Leybourn, Luke Godfrey) joined from Moltex.
- Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation: Pioneer of high-temperature gas-cooled microreactors (MMR) targeting remote and off-grid customers, with active NRC engagement and AIM-AECL Canadian licensing pathway — the most directly comparable commercial microreactor competitor to ODIN.
- Last Energy: Developer of a 20 MWe small modular reactor tailored for rapid, factory-fabricated deployment to industrial and data centre customers; closest commercial competitor on 'transportable, factory-built off-grid nuclear'.
- Terrestrial Energy: Developer of the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a commercial Gen IV molten-salt reactor — the closest pure direct competitor on molten-salt reactor technology and licensing strategy.
- Westinghouse eVinci: Westinghouse's heat-pipe-cooled microreactor aimed at off-grid power for remote communities and industrial sites, with NRC pre-application engagement — directly comparable in target market and product class to ODIN.
- NANO Nuclear Energy: Former joint development partner with Cambridge AtomWorks on ODIN; following IP buyback it has pivoted to fixed reactors for the data centre market — directly overlapping on advanced nuclear IP and end-customer focus.
Broad incumbents
- Kairos Power: US developer of the fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR); a direct molten-salt technical peer with NRC construction permit progress and Google data-centre PPA — a leading commercial threat in the same molten-salt nuclear niche.
- Rolls-Royce SMR: UK-domestic SMR programme with deep ties to Cambridge AtomWorks' leadership (several team members came from Rolls-Royce submarine/SMR programmes); competes for UK Government and industrial off-takers but at much larger unit size.
- X-energy: Well-capitalised US developer of the Xe-100 high-temperature gas reactor SMR with strong DOE backing; represents a broader incumbent in advanced reactors targeting data centre and industrial off-take customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cambridge AtomWorks social profiles
Digital presenceCambridge AtomWorks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cambridge AtomWorks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles21 records
Cambridge AtomWorks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cambridge AtomWorks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cambridge AtomWorks
What does Cambridge AtomWorks do?
Cambridge AtomWorks designs and develops the ODIN micro-reactor, a 5 MW transportable nuclear fission reactor using low-pressure molten-salt coolant and solid-fuel technology with integrated power conversion and heat rejection systems. The company is engineering this compact, walk-away-safe reactor for off-grid electricity supply to mining operations, developing countries, remote and island communities, and AI data centers.
Is Cambridge AtomWorks a public or private company?
Cambridge AtomWorks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cambridge AtomWorks founded?
Cambridge AtomWorks was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cambridge AtomWorks based?
Cambridge AtomWorks is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Cambridge AtomWorks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Nuclear Micro-Reactor Sales and Deployment is the primary driver. The others are licensing and IP and technical Services.
Who are Cambridge AtomWorks's main competitors?
Oklo is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Moltex Energy, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, Last Energy, Terrestrial Energy, Westinghouse eVinci and NANO Nuclear Energy. Broad incumbents are Kairos Power, Rolls-Royce SMR and X-energy.
Does Cambridge AtomWorks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cambridge AtomWorks.
What industry is Cambridge AtomWorks in?
Cambridge AtomWorks's product category is Advanced Nuclear Micro-Reactors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAKADAC, Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors), with a secondary code of EUAKADAI, Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation). Its NAICS code is 333611 and its SIC code is 3510.