# Nucleation Capital

Nucleation Capital is a Private Equity based in Menlo Park, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Menlo Park, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Menlo Park, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2020
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.nucleationcapital.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/nucleation-capital

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 315357
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/315357

## About

Nucleation Capital is a venture fund focused on investing into advanced nuclear and carbon management innovations to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. It offers Fund I for accredited and high net worth investors, Fund II for larger commitments, and a syndicate for deal-by-deal participation. The firm invests in advanced nuclear, carbon capture, and grid enhancement ventures.

## Sectors

- Advanced Nuclear
- Carbon Capture
- Grid Enhancement
- Fusion
- Industrial Tech
- Energy Transition & Renewables
- ClimateTech

## People

- Valerie Gardner — Managing Partner & Founder
- Rod Adams — Managing Partner
- Jonathan Tiemann — CFO
- Rick DeGolia — Managing Member

## Questions

### What does Nucleation Capital invest in?

The firm targets advanced nuclear fission and fusion, carbon capture and utilization, and grid-enhancement technologies. Portfolio companies include Aalo Atomics, Blykalla, Copenhagen Atomics, Deep Isolation, Radiant Nuclear, Zeno Power, Twelve, and Planetary Technologies. A full list is published on the firm's website.

### How does Nucleation source its deals?

Deal flow draws from the deep industry networks of Managing Partners Rod Adams and Valerie Gardner — Adams through decades of Navy nuclear, startup and publishing experience via Atomic Insights, Gardner through Silicon Valley venture and investment-advisory relationships. The firm's syndicate structure also funnels opportunities from its investor network. Advisors spanning national labs, regulators and venture capital supplement origination.

### Who runs investment decisions at Nucleation?

Valerie Gardner and Rod Adams are co-Managing Partners responsible for investment decisions. Gardner contributes venture-investment, fund-structuring and impact-investing experience; Adams provides nuclear-engineering, industry and technical due-diligence expertise. CFO Jonathan Tiemann, who co-founded the affiliated RIA with Gardner, oversees financial operations and investment strategy.

### Does Nucleation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Nucleation invests directly into private nuclear and carbon-innovation companies. The firm does not disclose making fund-of-fund commitments. Its syndicate offers selective direct co-investment opportunities, while Fund I and Fund II pool capital for diversified exposure to the same venture stage.

## Related profiles

- [Nubian Square Investment Advisors](https://altss.com/profile/nubian-square-investment-advisors)
- [Nucleos](https://altss.com/profile/nucleos)

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Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:07:34.613Z

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