Cathie Wood Backs Oklo: Investment Highlights Small Modular Reactor Potential

Cathie Wood backs Oklo with an $8.9 million investment, drawing attention from energy and tech investors. Over the past year, Oklo’s stock surged, reflecting growing confidence in small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear energy. Even a modest investment made a year ago would have grown significantly, showing strong market interest in pioneering nuclear solutions.

Why ARK Invest Supports Oklo

ARK Invest backs Oklo because it sees strong long-term potential in nuclear energy, particularly in SMRs. These next-generation systems deliver consistent, reliable power, which proves essential for AI systems, data centersand industrial operations. While solar and wind remain crucial, they cannot provide uninterrupted baseload power. Oklo’s microreactor technology meets this growing need, giving it a unique advantage in the energy market.

Risks and Upside Potential

Oklo remains pre-revenue and has not yet received regulatory approval for commercial operation. Nevertheless, analysts project a massive market, estimating that advanced nuclear energy, especially SMRs, could become a $10 trillion industry. This combination of risk and reward attracts forward-looking investors like Cathie Wood and ARK Invest.

High-Profile Backers and Financial Overview

Oklo secured support from prominent investors, including OpenAI founder Sam Altman and Palantir founder Peter Thiel, alongside institutional giants Vanguard and BlackRock. Financially, Oklo reports a market cap of $12.7 billion, total revenue of $0.00, and net losses of $76.56 million (TTM)—typical for a pre-commercial startup in a cutting-edge technology sector.

Global Nuclear Context

The broader energy landscape strengthens Oklo’s position. Investors watch Illinois nuclear power plants, the Mahi Banswara nuclear power plant, and all nuclear power plants in the U.S. as signs of growing demand for reliable energy infrastructure. Leaders like Bill Gates support advanced nuclear initiatives, which validates the technology’s long-term prospects. These trends indicate that modular designs like Oklo’s SMRs could scale worldwide

Stock Performance Highlights Potential

Oklo’s stock moved dramatically over the past year. In late December 2024, shares traded around $21, and they reached an all-time high of $193.84 on October 15, 2025, before settling lower. This wide range demonstrates both volatility and significant upside, explaining why ARK Invest continues to place strategic bets on the company.

By investing in Oklo, Cathie Wood and ARK Invest highlight the rising importance of small modular reactors and next-generation nuclear energy. Despite regulatory and developmental risks, Oklo’s combination of market potential, high-profile backing, and global trends makes it a compelling player in the evolving energy sector.