Otrera, a spin-off of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and a laureate of the France 2030 programme, has successfully closed its inaugural funding round, securing €2.5 million ($2.6 million). The round attracted a high-profile consortium of industrial and financial investors, including Exergon (Audacia’s decarbonisation fund), Invest For The Future (IFTF), CEA Investissement, RÉEL International, Groupe ADF, EKIUM-Groupe SNEF, AXE CAPITOLE, and FORTIL.
The investors, deeply rooted in the energy and industrial sectors, bring critical expertise and strategic alignment to Otrera’s mission of advancing the energy transition and next-generation nuclear technologies.
The funding will accelerate the development of Otrera’s Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR), a modular nuclear technology aimed at addressing energy sovereignty and industrial decarbonisation. Built on decades of French research, including advancements from the Astrid project, the SFR represents a breakthrough in sustainable nuclear innovation.
Frédéric Varaine, Founder and President of Otrera said, “Securing the trust of leading industrial players is not just a financial milestone—it is the foundation of our future supply chain. Together, we are building a next-generation nuclear solution that integrates innovation, modularity, and sustainability. Our goal is clear: to enable energy sovereignty while delivering impactful decarbonisation solutions for industries across Europe.”
Otrera plans to launch a second funding round in 2025 to further advance this transformative project. With strong support from its investors, the company is positioned to play a pivotal role in Europe’s energy transition, contributing significantly to a low-carbon future.
