Newcleo, Europe’s largest nuclear startup in financial difficultyThe future of Newcleo, Europe’s largest nuclear startup, is uncertain. “Founded in 2021 by three Italians, the startup is developing a small modular reactor ( SMR ) with lead-cooled fast neutrons. It plans to launch a dedicated Mox fuel plant in Aube in 2030, then install a 30-megawatt demonstrator—the power of a conventional nuclear power plant can reach up to 1,500 megawatts—near Chinon (Indre-et-Loire) in 2031. The young company recorded losses of €103 million in 2024, more than double its losses in 2023 (€45 million). In response, Newcleo has already cut 150 jobs in the United Kingdom and plans to reduce its engineering contracts with external service providers.