Kofi Asante is breaking new ground as the first Black founder of a nuclear energy company in the United States with the launch of Bluecore Energy in 2026. After gaining valuable experience at Uber, Elroy Air, and Arc, Asante founded Bluecore Energy, which focuses on developing small, modular nuclear reactors designed to be deployed on floating energy barges. These barges will provide clean, reliable power directly to ports and critical infrastructure, offering a scalable solution to address energy needs quickly without the long delays typical of traditional power infrastructure projects.

The idea for Bluecore Energy was inspired by Asante’s work with the Port of Long Beach's leadership on zero-emission solutions for infrastructure and maritime industries. Motivated by a desire to improve air quality and public health, especially considering his wife's pediatric background, he left his previous roles in early 2026 to lead this innovative venture. Bluecore’s technology aims to power approximately 15,000 homes initially, with the capacity to expand to meet the demands of major ports, data centers, and communities facing energy shortages.

Bluecore Energy has rapidly built a diverse and expert team including engineers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, as well as Black nuclear engineers and pioneers such as a former female nuclear submarine officer. The company emphasizes values like inclusivity, safety, and pragmatism, which Asante believes have been key in their accelerated progress. By fostering representation in deep tech, Asante envisions Bluecore as a kind of “Wakanda,” but focused on nuclear innovation and opening doors for underrepresented communities in the energy sector.

The company recently secured $10 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round led by investors such as Slauson & Co., Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, Hartbeat Ventures, Harlem Capital, and many others. This round intentionally included a significant number of Black-owned and Black-led venture capital firms, reflecting Asante’s commitment to returning capital and opportunities to communities traditionally left out of such industries. Bluecore Energy has already completed early milestones including delivering its first test barge and electric test reactor to its headquarters at the Port of Long Beach, laying the groundwork for future growth.