Isaiah Taylor’s Valar Atomics is making waves in the nuclear energy industry with its ambitious goal of revolutionizing small-scale nuclear reactors. At just 26 years old, Taylor has already secured government contracts, investments from Silicon Valley, and invitations to Mar-a-Lago. His vision is to establish the United States as a leader in nuclear power, akin to Elon Musk’s impact on the space industry.
The Department of Energy, under Secretary Chris Wright, has shown support for Valar Atomics, citing nuclear energy as essential for powering American innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence. Valar’s recent milestone of splitting atoms using its own reactor marked a significant achievement in the industry, with Taylor and his team aiming for even greater accomplishments.
However, Taylor’s path to success has been unconventional, with ties to a controversial church and a Russian-American power broker with connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Despite criticisms from nuclear experts regarding Valar’s feasibility and safety claims, Taylor remains undeterred, even taking legal action against the U.S. government over restrictive nuclear safety regulations.
The Trump administration’s partnership with Valar for testing its reactor for government use has raised eyebrows, with Secretary Wright hailing it as a step towards American energy dominance. While nuclear energy has faced scrutiny due to past accidents, Taylor believes that smaller, more nimble reactors like those of Valar can address safety concerns and offer more convenience.
Small-scale nuclear reactors have been used in the past for space missions, but their land-based implementation has been costly. Valar aims to change this perception by making small reactors cost-effective and scalable, catering to the needs of AI data centers and remote military bases. While experts acknowledge the benefits of small reactors, doubts remain about Valar’s ability to achieve cost-effectiveness and scalability.
In conclusion, Isaiah Taylor and Valar Atomics are at the forefront of a new era in nuclear energy, with ambitious goals and groundbreaking achievements that could shape the future of American energy production. Despite challenges and controversies, Taylor’s determination and vision for nuclear innovation continue to drive Valar towards success in the industry. Isaiah Taylor, a self-taught coder and ambitious entrepreneur, is on a mission to revolutionize the nuclear power industry with his startup, Valar Atomics. Despite skepticism from industry experts, Taylor remains undeterred in his pursuit of making small nuclear reactors profitable.
Born and raised in Kentucky, Taylor’s humble beginnings and determination to succeed have shaped his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He taught himself to code at a young age and quickly found success in the tech industry, eventually moving to Moscow, Idaho, where he started an auto repair shop and delved into software development.
Taylor’s decision to focus on nuclear power stemmed from his family history, as his great-grandfather was a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project. In 2023, Taylor founded Valar Atomics in El Segundo, California, with the goal of making nuclear power more economically viable.
Despite facing challenges and doubts from industry insiders, Taylor remains committed to his vision. He believes that small reactors have the potential to disrupt the energy market and provide a sustainable source of power. With the support of his friend and fellow entrepreneur Augustus Doricko, Taylor has forged connections with influential tech investors in El Segundo.
Taylor’s involvement in the conservative Christian community in Moscow, led by pastor Doug Wilson, has also influenced his entrepreneurial journey. Wilson’s controversial views and influence on Taylor’s mindset have shaped his approach to business and success.
As Taylor continues to navigate the complexities of the nuclear energy industry, he remains focused on his goal of making Valar Atomics a leader in small reactor technology. With determination, resilience, and a strong network of supporters, Taylor is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of nuclear power. Isaiah P. Taylor’s journey in securing funding for his startup has been nothing short of remarkable. From securing a pre-seed round of $1.5 million to a seed round of $19 million, and finally a massive $130 million funding round, Taylor has shown his ability to attract significant investment.
However, what sets Taylor’s story apart is the involvement of Masha Bucher, the founder of Day One Ventures, in his funding rounds. Bucher’s background is a fascinating mix of political activism, public relations work for Jeffrey Epstein, and now venture capitalism. Her connections to wealthy Russians and Silicon Valley power players have undoubtedly played a significant role in securing funding for Taylor’s startup.
Bucher’s past associations with Putin, Epstein, and Russian oligarchs have raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. Her involvement in connecting Epstein with wealthy Russians and her work at firms like Runa Capital and Acronis, where she worked with Serg Bell, have added layers of intrigue to her story.
Despite Bucher’s denials of taking money from Russian oligarchs and her claims of disavowing Putin, there are conflicting reports and evidence that suggest otherwise. Her past associations and connections have come under scrutiny, with questions raised about her true allegiances and motivations.
In the world of tech venture capitalism, where funding and connections play a crucial role in a startup’s success, the involvement of individuals like Bucher adds a layer of complexity and controversy. Taylor’s success in securing significant funding rounds with Bucher’s help highlights the intricate web of relationships and interests that can shape the trajectory of a startup. According to records obtained by Pevchikh, she still holds a valid Russian passport, though she told the Washington Post in 2022, “I deeply regret ever joining Nashi and supporting Putin and his government.”
Bucher, who has also invested in Taylor’s friend Doricko’s company, seems to be more than just a funder for the companies she supports. A Day One pitch deck boasts that the firm is “actively involved in its portfolio companies and play a real, tangible role in helping them grow.” In an interview last year with TechCrunch, Bucher said her goal in founding the firm was to provide not only funding but also PR help to the companies she invested in. She also appears to enjoy a close relationship with Valar executives, posting photos of herself on social media attending parties with them. While Doricko cut ties with Bucher after the most recent Epstein disclosures, Taylor has done no such thing.
Bucher said that Taylor himself drew her to Valar. “I can’t think of a better founder,” she told TechCrunch. The decisions she would trust him with, she added, are “literally life-and-death.”
Not everyone is as bullish as Bucher about Valar’s prospects—nuclear experts have raised serious questions about the safety of the company’s technology and the qualifications of its leadership. In April 2025, Taylor boasted in a post on the Valar website that the company’s spent fuel was so safe that holding it in one’s bare hands for five minutes would result in a dose equivalent only to that of a CT scan. Tuoran, the nuclear engineer, challenged the claim. “This statement cannot possibly be true,” he wrote. “Any nuclear reactor of the power you’re referring to makes spent fuel [that] would give a person a fatal dose within a few seconds if they were to hold a handful of spent fuel.” Another nuclear engineer, Gavin Ridley, chimed in with his own calculation: He found that Valar’s spent fuel would deliver a lethal dose in 85 milliseconds of direct contact. Taylor posted in response, “I will follow up with a detailed writeup tonight or tomorrow, back to back today. Should be fun …” He never did.
Although there are now some seasoned nuclear engineers in the company’s leadership, some of the top brass appear to have as little nuclear experience as Taylor. Kip Mock, a fellow member of Wilson’s Idaho church and a co-founder of Taylor’s auto repair shop, is now Valar’s head of operations. Another church member, Elijah Froh, serves as Valar’s director of business operations. (A story last year by the Utah Investigative Journalism Project revealed that Mock accidentally set Froh on fire in 2021 when he poured old diesel into a wood-burning stove and caused an explosion.)
Questions about safety apparently have not deterred Taylor, who appears to be as determined as ever to forge ahead. Last April, Valar announced it was joining several other companies and a handful of states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission over what they claim is an overly broad interpretation of safety regulations around testing nuclear reactors. In a post about the lawsuit, Taylor argued that the rules should allow Valar to test its reactor prototype, the Ward One. “Operating Ward One in a remote testing area within the United States would not pose a threat to the health and safety of the public or impact national security based on any reasonable accident scenario,” wrote Taylor. “However, because the NRC has failed to implement rules which would exempt this small test reactor from full NRC regulations, we are building and testing this reactor in the Philippines instead.” Mock, Taylor’s employee who accidentally set his buddy on fire in Idaho is heading the Philippines project. Taylor told Business Insider that the company planned to move “really fast” on it. The state of Utah made headlines last May when it secured the opportunity to host Valar’s first test reactor for the Department of Energy (DOE). Through its Operation Gigawatt program, Utah emerged victorious in a competitive race against other states to attract nuclear companies. This significant achievement was a testament to the state’s commitment to advancing nuclear energy technology.
The Trump administration has also shown strong support for nuclear energy. In a bold executive order last May, President Trump set a target to have three test reactors operational by July 4th of this year. This ambitious goal received praise from Valar CEO Isaiah Taylor, who described it as “unbelievably exciting.” Furthermore, the administration implemented changes to regulations governing U.S. nuclear facilities, with a focus on streamlining processes and increasing efficiency.
In a recent interview with podcaster Shawn Ryan, Taylor commended President Trump and his administration for their dedication to advancing nuclear technology. He expressed optimism about the future of nuclear energy under their leadership, referring to it as the “nuclear golden age.” This sentiment was validated when the Trump administration selected Valar’s reactor for a contract with the Department of War and the Department of Energy.
The successful delivery and installation of the reactor at Hill Air Force Base in Utah marked a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of energy resilience and strategic independence. The Department of War emphasized the importance of this achievement in securing the nation’s freedom and strength for generations to come. The collaboration between government agencies and private companies like Valar is poised to drive innovation and progress in the field of nuclear energy.
Overall, Utah’s hosting of Valar’s test reactor and the Trump administration’s support for nuclear energy signal a promising future for the industry. With advancements in technology and a strong commitment to innovation, the United States is poised to lead the way in nuclear energy development.
