Oklo vs TerraPower
October 07, 2025
Oklo ($440.6M)
Oklo is building an always on, container-sized, truly carbon-free and emission-free nuclear generator.
TerraPower ($1.4B)
TerraPower focuses on developing a sustainable and economic nuclear energy system while reducing proliferation risks.
See also:
Top 34 Nuclear Energy startups
Top 34 Nuclear Energy startups
Oklo and TerraPower are both US-based startups developing new compact modular nuclear reactors with a closed fuel cycle. Their goal is to make nuclear energy safer and cheaper, while also minimizing radioactive waste.
But Oklo (founded in 2013) specializes in microreactors with a capacity of approximately 1.5 MW. The company bets on compactness and rapid assembly, that decreases nuclear station costs. The reactors work on metal-uranium fuel and even on reprocessed fuel. Each microreactor is designed to operate autonomously for up to 10 years without refueling. The startup received a major investment from OpenAI founder Sam Altman.
TerraPower (2008) was co-founded by Bill Gates and partners with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. It develops larger reactors - its sodium-cooled fast reactor, Natrium has capacity up to 345 MW. Natrium uses innovative liquid metal cooling.
But Oklo (founded in 2013) specializes in microreactors with a capacity of approximately 1.5 MW. The company bets on compactness and rapid assembly, that decreases nuclear station costs. The reactors work on metal-uranium fuel and even on reprocessed fuel. Each microreactor is designed to operate autonomously for up to 10 years without refueling. The startup received a major investment from OpenAI founder Sam Altman.
TerraPower (2008) was co-founded by Bill Gates and partners with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. It develops larger reactors - its sodium-cooled fast reactor, Natrium has capacity up to 345 MW. Natrium uses innovative liquid metal cooling.
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