Publication date:
April 22, 2025
Deep Fission CEO and Father Collaborate on Nuclear Energy Innovation
Liz Muller and her father Rich Muller have built three successful energy businesses together, including Deep Fission, which is developing underground small modular reactors.
Energy
Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Fission, and her father Rich Muller, the company's CTO, have found success in collaborating on energy businesses together. Their latest venture, Deep Fission, is developing innovative small modular nuclear reactors designed to be buried a mile underground.
The father-daughter duo previously launched Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit providing climate science data, and Deep Isolation, focused on nuclear waste disposal. Their complementary skills have been key to their success - Liz brings business acumen while Rich contributes technical expertise as an inventor.
At Deep Fission, they are working on potentially reducing nuclear power costs by 80% through their Deep Borehole Reactor concept. The invention came about through their collaborative process, with Rich exploring the technical aspects and Liz recognizing the business potential.
Working together as family members presents unique challenges, but they've found ways to make it work effectively. They maintain clear professional roles while at work, calling each other by first names in the office. Strategy sessions blend business discussions with personal conversations, fostering creativity.
Living in the same building has its conveniences for work, though they are mindful to carve out quality personal time together as well. Rich expressed pride in working for his daughter, viewing her as both his boss and mentor.
Both are energized by the positive industry response to Deep Fission's underground reactor concept and its potential impact on the future of nuclear energy. Their success stems from leveraging their complementary skills and treating each other as equal partners rather than having a typical parent-child dynamic in business.
The father-daughter duo previously launched Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit providing climate science data, and Deep Isolation, focused on nuclear waste disposal. Their complementary skills have been key to their success - Liz brings business acumen while Rich contributes technical expertise as an inventor.
At Deep Fission, they are working on potentially reducing nuclear power costs by 80% through their Deep Borehole Reactor concept. The invention came about through their collaborative process, with Rich exploring the technical aspects and Liz recognizing the business potential.
Working together as family members presents unique challenges, but they've found ways to make it work effectively. They maintain clear professional roles while at work, calling each other by first names in the office. Strategy sessions blend business discussions with personal conversations, fostering creativity.
Living in the same building has its conveniences for work, though they are mindful to carve out quality personal time together as well. Rich expressed pride in working for his daughter, viewing her as both his boss and mentor.
Both are energized by the positive industry response to Deep Fission's underground reactor concept and its potential impact on the future of nuclear energy. Their success stems from leveraging their complementary skills and treating each other as equal partners rather than having a typical parent-child dynamic in business.
