A startup that designs small nuclear reactors to power data centers and defense technology is choosing South Florida as its launchpad.
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Ampera, a company that emerged from "stealth mode" in November with a prototype micronuclear reactor system, plans to operate out of two buildings totaling 100K SF at the Gardens Innovation Center at PGA National Commerce Park in Palm Beach Gardens.
The company plans to move into the buildings at 358 and 354 Hiatt Drive next month, an Ampera representative confirmed to Bisnow.
The facility will support research and development, engineering, manufacturing and assembly operations, according to a release.
"This facility isn't just a location — it's a launchpad for Ampera's mission to deliver the world's safest, most compact nuclear energy systems," Ampera founder and CEO Brian Matthews said in a statement.
Ampera's reactors are designed to power applications in defense, data centers and industrial uses with emission-free energy, according to a release. The firm is still small, although it said in press materials it is backed by an unnamed Fortune 500 company.
Super Micro Computer bought an 11% stake in Ampera for $6M in June, according to the Fortune 500 IT hardware company's annual report filed in August.
"At this innovation hub, we'll advance and commercialize truly transformative energy technology," Matthews said in a statement. "Our ultra-safe, mobile micronuclear reactors will be at customer locations by 2030."
Colliers’ Michael Falk handles leasing on behalf of the landlord, an entity tracing to LRP Media Group, at the site. Falk and LRP Media Group didn't respond to requests for comment.
Palm Beach County has attracted a growing number of technology and financial firms, which was a driving force in Ampera’s decision.
Miami Dolphins owner and billionaire developer Stephen Ross has made it his mission to attract major businesses, developing several new office and residential towers courting titans of industry.
Not only has he pledged $10B to West Palm Beach to turn it into the "Wall Street of the South," his company, Related Ross, has worked on expanding the area's reach to tech firms, dubbing it the "next Silicon Valley."
He also donated $50M to Vanderbilt University's planned satellite campus in West Palm Beach, which would offer graduate-level degrees in artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, business administration and finance.
His efforts are paying off.
ServiceNow, an enterprise software company, recently signed a 200K SF lease with Related Ross to establish a regional headquarters and an AI institute at the under-construction 10 CityPlace in West Palm Beach.
At a Bisnow event last week, Related Ross Executive Vice President Jordan Rathlev said the company's next "big push" is defense tech.
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