Startups
Zeno Power
Washington, D.C., United States · Seattle, Washington, United States · Sunol, California, United States
Zeno Power develops compact radioisotope power systems, also called nuclear batteries, for remote maritime, defense and space missions. Its systems convert heat from the natural decay of strontium-90 or americium-241 into useful heat and electricity through thermoelectric or Stirling conversion. Incorporated in April 2018 after a Vanderbilt University project, the company operates in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Sunol, California. It has demonstrated a scaled radioisotope heat source and is developing commercial systems rather than selling a broadly deployed finished product. Its June 2026 Vallecitos announcement reports non-radiological operations begun, with radiological operations pending regulatory approval; existing site decommissioning licenses do not establish approval of Zeno production. That announcement targets initial government deliveries in 2027 and scaled production in 2028. The August 2026 Firefly payload agreement schedules a lunar heater demonstration no earlier than 2028. Published leadership includes CEO Tyler Bernstein and COO Jonathan Segal. Its financing includes an initial USD50,000 investment from 1517 Fund, a USD1.5M seed, USD20M Series A and USD50M Series B. Government contract totals and undrawn credit facilities are separate from equity capital raised. Seraphim Space Investment Trust separately disclosed an actual USD3.6M follow-on investment in August 2026; the total financing amount and stage were undisclosed. Techstars identifies Zeno as a 2019 portfolio company.
Founded 2018
Team
 A.C. CharaniaSenior Vice President of Space Business Development |
 Amy RomaAdvisory Board Member |
 Bart GordonAdvisory Board Member |
 Donna BurnsVice President of Quality |
 Harsh S. DesaiChief Commercialization Officer |
Jake MatthewsCo-founder (historical; current operating role unverified) |
 Jamie LambieDirector of Project Management |
 John M. RichardsonBoard Director · Advisory Board Member |
 Jonathan SegalCo-Founder & COO |
 Keith KleinAdvisory Board Member |
Kelsey BatesCommunications Manager |
 Lindsey BolesChief Product Officer |
 Mathieu MartinDirector of Engineering |
 Matt TrevithickAdvisory Board Member |
 Michelle BrechtelsbauerAdvisory Board Member |
 Ray JohnsonAdvisory Board Member |
 Rita BaranwalAdvisory Board Member |
 Sachin DesaiChief Regulatory and Legal Officer |
 Steven KrahnAdvisory Board Member |
 Taylor BanksVice President of Finance |
 Tyler BernsteinCo-Founder & CEO |