Early Life and Education
Jacob DeWitte was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From a young age, he was fascinated by nuclear technology. This interest led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida, which he completed in 2008. He furthered his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning both a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering.
Rise to Success
DeWitte's career in nuclear energy began with internships at Sandia National Laboratories, Urenco US, General Electric, and the US Naval Nuclear Laboratory. In 2013, he co-founded Oklo Inc., a company focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs). As CEO, DeWitte has spearheaded Oklo's mission to bring clean, affordable, and reliable nuclear power to the market. His leadership has been pivotal in positioning Oklo as a pioneer in advanced nuclear technology.
Key Business Strategies
Oklo's business strategy centers on the development of the Aurora powerhouse, a small power plant designed to generate 15-50 MWe of electrical power using a compact fast neutron reactor. DeWitte has emphasized the potential of Oklo’s reactors to reduce energy bills and utilize used nuclear fuel. Oklo aims to address the growing demand for power, particularly from AI data centers. DeWitte also focuses on creating partnerships and vertical integration, to control fuel fabrication and ensure supply chain stability.
Philanthropy
In June 2025, DeWitte gifted 600,000 shares of Oklo stock to a donor-advised fund, reflecting a commitment to charitable giving.
