Bluecore Energy: A pioneering floating nuclear plant venture led by a Black entrepreneur in the U.S. has raised over $10 million in its first investment round, led by Slauson & Co. with participation from actor Kevin Hart’s fund, HARTBEAT.

Bluecore Energy, founded by entrepreneur Kofi Asante, has become the first portable small modular reactor (SMR) company to establish headquarters at a major U.S. port. The company developed a floating nuclear power plant mounted on a 185-foot barge—anchored at the Port of Long Beach, California—and has already attracted attention from investors and the AI ​​data center sector.

The origin of the idea

Asante, who identifies as the first Black founder of a nuclear energy company, conceived the idea while working at an electric ship company. He observed the growing demand for clean energy at the Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest in the country. In January 2026, he left his job, assembled a team, purchased the barge, and installed a light-water modular nuclear reactor to generate power.

In July, Bluecore and the Port of Long Beach signed an agreement making it the first company of its kind to be based at a major American port. Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba highlighted that the innovative solution—a modular reactor on a barge—attracted attention and secured space for development at the site.

Funding and expansion

The company emerged from stealth mode in July after raising $10 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed round led by Slauson & Co., with participation from investors such as Chris Larsen (Ripple co-founder) and Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Ventures.

On September 8, 2026, Bluecore announced the closing of a $50 million seed round led by Silverton Partners. The capital will be used to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of its floating nuclear power systems. Participants included investors such as Harlem Capital, Precursor Ventures, MaC Ventures, and Collab Capital, as well as figures from sports and entertainment—such as player Joel Embiid and Kevin Hart himself—alongside other strategic angel investors.