Zeno Power Raises $50 Million To Fuel U.S. In The Space Race

Forbes

23-05-2025

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This month, Under 30 alum company Zeno Power raised $50 million in a Series B round to build extremely long-lasting nuclear batteries that can power machines in deep space, underwater and disaster zones.
Zeno's proposed batteries, roughly the size of a microwave, can provide reliable power for over a decade. Unlike traditional batteries, which rely on chemicals like lithium and require regular replacement, these batteries use nuclear waste, specifically radioactive isotopes that naturally release heat as they decay. This heat is then converted into electricity, delivering steady power.
It's the same kind of technology NASA has used for decades to power space missions, but in recent years, the U.S. supply chain for nuclear batteries has dried up. Now the space administration itself is turning to startups like these to help bring the tech back: Zeno Power has secured $60 million in contracts from NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense.
'China is currently operating on the moon with a radioisotope power system, whereas the U.S. lander is using solar-powered batteries,' says Tyler Bernstein, Zeno Power's CEO. 'We have a contract with NASA where we're working with Intuitive Machines and Blue Origin to enable these future landers to operate for years instead of days.'
The idea for Zeno Power started in an unlikely place. Bernstein and his friend (and now cofounder) Jonathan Segal were at Vanderbilt University tossing around a question that most students wouldn't touch: What if you put a nuclear reactor on a Boeing 777?
It was a loaded question. A nuclear-powered plane could, in theory, eliminate the need for jet fuel and cut carbon emissions. But it also came with serious risks, like what would happen if radioactive material were released during a crash. (They'd also need a whole lot of luck to get that approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.)
But curiosity led them to write a 25-page paper on nuclear-powered flight under the mentorship of a Vanderbilt professor. 'That paper will never see the light of day,' Bernstein laughs now.
During their research, they met Jake Matthews, a mechanical engineering grad student and Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan. Matthews had been exploring a different kind of nuclear tech, batteries.
Together, the three cofounded Zeno Power in 2018 with support from the National Science Foundation. The latest round was led by Hanaco Ventures with participation from Balerion Space Ventures, Vanderbilt University and others, bringing the company's total funding to $70 million.
Bernstein says the new capital will help grow the team from 70 employees to over 100, and allow them to go commercial by 2027. 'This is the first and only job I've ever had,' he says. 'We've had amazing people who took early bets on us, and ensuring we can get them the returns they're seeking is certainly important.'
See you next week,
Alex & Zoya
From Left: SpaceX President & COO Gwynne Shotwell, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft Chairman & CEO Satya Nadella
Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg,, SebastianStarting a company is one way to get rich, but it's not the only way. In fact, nearly 50 of this year's billionaires list made their ten-figure-fortunes as employees—many of whom gain stock options and other shares on top of their annual salaries. Check them out here.
-She's 'older, hotter, wiser and living it up.' At least that's what the theme song for Under 30 alum, content creator, and card game founder Serena Kerrigan's debut TV series says. On May 19, her 7-episode scripted comedy aired on Peacock starring none other than Kerrigan herself. The project was initially kicked off through NBCUniversal's Creator Accelerator Program, which also includes three other scripted originals by fellow content creators.
-The Minnesota Lynx WNBA team, led by 2024 Under 30 sports alum Napheesa Collier, is partnering with musician Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. The two announced this week they're coming together for a multi-year collaboration that will address topics like domestic violence, healthcare and education through activations, content series, community outreach, basketball clinics and more.
-Under 30 Europe Media & Marketing alum Aydha Mehnaz is making handbags—and dogs—go viral. She originally made the list in 2024 for her work as a celebrity and media relations manager at MUGLER. Now the global brand relations lead at luxury leather-goods maker Moynat, she most recently worked with the team to build a dog-centered campaign for the 520 festival in China, and it's going mega viral. See the furry sensations here.
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Courtesy of Imani Naki
We're bringing you the scoop on a new Under 30 community member. Up this week: Imani Naki, a 2025 Under 30 Europe Media & Marketing lister who is the founder of DAR, a creative studio based in Barcelona. As a skilled creative director, she's worked on campaigns, product launches and brand activations for clients like Nike, Adidas and FC Barcelona.
The following has been slightly edited for length and clarity.
What was the first business you started? When I was 18 and studying at university, I launched my first business, a women's streetwear brand called Badass. It was a dropshipping model, and while it wasn't wildly successful, it taught me more than any textbook could. I learned how to build a Shopify website, plan shoots, create marketing content, paid ads and even throw small launch events. It was a full crash course in entrepreneurship. When COVID hit, I had to shut it down, but the skills I gained became the foundation for my freelance journey and eventually, for starting DAR.
You rebranded last year to what DAR is today. What did you learn from those other attempts that made this time different? Clarity. In the past, I was trying to fit into what I thought would be cool and trendy, but was not really aligned with my skills and my uniqueness. With this rebrand, I leaned into who I already am: someone deeply rooted in culture, community, and my heritage. I stopped trying to copy other agencies and focused on what made DAR unique: our ability to bridge global brands with real communities.
What does a day in your life look like today? My work touches every layer of the company, from business development (like closing deals and overseeing finances) to creative direction. So while every day looks a little different, there's a rhythm to it.
I usually wake up around 7 a.m. and spend the first hour by myself reading, meditating, journaling, and eating breakfast. I head to the office around 9:30 a.m. and the first thing I do is write down the three most important tasks for the day.
Mornings are usually for studio work—creative direction, strategic planning, or calls with clients. In the afternoons, I shift gears and focus on DAR Community—planning events, managing our social content, or having calls with our network of young creatives. Usually in the evening I go to the gym.
What's one thing you can't live without? Honestly? My phone. It holds everything—my calendar, my notes, my contacts, my ideas, music. It's like my portable office and my inspiration board in one.
You've partnered with brands like Nike, Adidas and FC Barcelona. What do these partnerships look like? Each one is different, but at the core, it's always about connection. Sometimes they come to us for brand activations in the city, or to help them tap into emerging creative talent. Other times it's about research and insights—they want to understand what really matters to younger audiences, especially in places like Spain or the diaspora communities across Europe.
Have sports always been an interest of yours? Yes! I've loved sports since I was a kid—especially football [editor's note: not the American kind]. I grew up in Barcelona, and Barça was part of everyday life. People used to call me Ronaldinha because I was always playing ball in the park. So while our partnerships in sports have happened organically, I think it makes sense.
Where do you get your inspiration from as a creative director? My identity is my biggest source. Being born in Barcelona and raised with Moroccan roots, I'm always moving between two cultures. That contrast, and the harmony that comes from it, shapes the way I create.
I'm also really inspired by what's happening creatively and culturally in cities like London, Paris, New York, Lagos, and Dubai. I love observing how young people express themselves through fashion, music, sports, and movement. And then there's the quiet stuff—travel, visuals, conversations, even silence.
What's your favorite part of the creative direction process? The initial spark when an idea starts to take shape. I love building the world around the concept, including the moodboards, storytelling, and vision. And then seeing that vision come to life—whether it's through a shoot, an event, or a campaign—is just magic.
What's your favorite hobby outside of work? My favorite hobby outside of work is definitely going to the beach—especially Barceloneta. When I have time, I love doing anything active there, like roller skating, walking, listening to music, or just watching the sunset.
Where's one place you'd like to travel? I've always wanted to go to Japan. There's just something about their work ethic, mindset, even the way they design the simplest things, that really inspires me. Everything feels so intentional and beautiful.
What's your favorite meal in Barcelona? My ultimate comfort meal is roast chicken with potatoes, paired with croquetas and a generous dollop of aioli, straight from my family's local restaurant.
Is there an artist, creative, or other business owner that you look up to? Yes—so many. Tumisha Balogun in London, who runs Tag Agency and works with brands like Spotify and Adidas. Tonya Mas inspires me with her content on building as a creative entrepreneur. Grace Ladoja of Homecoming and Metallic Inc. blends music, culture, and business while staying true to her roots in Nigeria, which is exactly the kind of impact I hope to have. And Sharmadean Reid of The Stack World is someone who really understands how to build ecosystems that empower women and create cultural capital through business.
What's your biggest piece of advice for others on how to turn creative passion into a career? Treat your passion like it's already your job. That means showing up consistently, being professional even when no one's watching, and learning the parts that aren't as glamorous—like budgeting, pitching, or dealing with rejection. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you, and don't wait for permission to start. Build your own opportunities, document your journey, and stay rooted in your why. When you combine creativity with discipline and intention, you start to build something real—and that's how passion becomes a career.
What's a 'hot take' you have about your industry or life in general? The most underrated currency in the creative industry isn't talent—it's consistency. You don't need to be the most talented person in the room to win. You just need to keep showing up, keep evolving, and keep your values clear. Too many people wait for the 'perfect moment' or for validation from big brands or followers. But real power comes when you build your own table, stay consistent, and trust that your unique voice is enough.