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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-40583
Oklo Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
86-2292473 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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3190 Coronado Dr.
Santa Clara, CA
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(650) 550-0127 |
95054 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
OKLO |
New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filer |
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Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller reporting company |
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Emerging growth company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. o
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The registrant had 139,018,305 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of March 21, 2025.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference in Part III. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, the Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be filed as part hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Item 1. |
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Item 1A. |
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Item 1B. |
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Item 1C. |
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Item 2. |
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Item 3. |
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Item 4. |
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Item 5. |
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Item 6. |
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) of Oklo Inc. (“Oklo,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and include, without limitation, statements concerning our business strategy, future revenues, market growth, capital requirements, product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Annual Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continue,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,”“goal,” “would,”“commit” and other stylistic variants denoting forward-looking statements.
We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Annual Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on information currently available, as well as our beliefs and assumptions. The actual outcome related to forward-looking statements will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based only on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.
The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development and deployment of Oklo’s powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; risks related to acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures we may engage in; the potential need for financing to construct plants; market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; risks related to accessing high-assay low-enriched uranium (“HALEU”) and recycled fuels; risks related to our supply chain; risks related to power purchase agreements; risks related to human capital; risks related to our intellectual property; risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries; and those factors in the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The discussion in this Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Annual Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
This Annual Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report, except as may be required by law.
Part I
Item 1. Business
Overview
We were founded in 2013 with the goal of revolutionizing the energy landscape by developing clean, reliable, affordable energy solutions at scale. According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity production is expected to increase over 80% by 2050 driven by electrification of buildings, transportation and industry, increased use of air conditioning in the developing world and increased consumption from data centers. We address this demand by producing electricity and heat from our Aurora powerhouses which can run on fresh or recycled nuclear fuel. We are also commercializing nuclear fuel recycling technology that can convert nuclear waste into useable fuel for our reactors.
We are developing next-generation fast fission power plants called “powerhouses.” In our differentiated build, own, and operate business model, we plan to sell power in the forms of electricity and heat directly to customers, which we believe can allow for fast-tracked customer adoption. In addition, we are a leader in the nuclear industry in the development of fuel recycling, which can unlock the energy content of used fuel; we also believe this business unit can complement our market position by vertically integrating and securing our fuel supply chain.
The fast fission reactor technology we are commercializing was demonstrated by the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (“EBR-II”), a fast fission plant that was operated by the U.S. government for 30 years. Our powerhouse product line, called the “Aurora,” builds on this legacy of proven and demonstrated technology. Our Aurora powerhouse product line is designed to be inherently safe, to be able to run on fresh or recycled fuel, and to produce 15-75 megawatts electric (“MWe”) and has the potential to expand powerhouse size to produce 100 MWe and higher. Because the Aurora powerhouses are designed to operate by harnessing the power of high-energy, or “fast,” neutrons, they are expected to be able to tap into the vast energy reserves remaining in existing used nuclear fuel from conventional nuclear power plants, which can only use approximately 5% of energy content stored in nuclear fuel before needing to refuel. The U.S. nuclear power industry has produced approximately 20% of U.S. electricity over the last 50 years and generated over 90,000 metric tons of nuclear waste, which can fit on a football field 10 yards high. Fission is an energy dense process, producing approximately 50 million times more energy than combustion. The energy reserves in existing U.S. nuclear waste that are made accessible through Oklo's fast fission reactor technology are equivalent to approximately 1.2 trillion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), nearly five times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia.
We have achieved several significant deployment and regulatory milestones for our first Aurora powerhouse. Notably, we secured a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) for the Idaho National Laboratory (“INL”) site and received a fuel award from INL for a commercial Aurora powerhouse in Idaho. The DOE and INL have completed the environmental compliance process addressing the DOE requirements for site characterization at our first commercial advanced fission power plant site at the INL. This process, resulting in an Environmental Compliance Permit, marks a milestone as we advance our plans to deliver the first commercial advanced fission power plant in the United States. On September 25, 2024, we announced the finalization of a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with the DOE Idaho Operations Office. This MOA grants Oklo access to conduct site investigations at the identified preferred site in Idaho, marking a key step toward the next phase of site preparation and construction.
We announced plans and entered into a land rights agreement for two additional Aurora powerhouses in southern Ohio. Furthermore, we have been tentatively selected to provide electricity and heat to Eielson Air Force Base. Our robust pipeline of potential customer engagements spans a number of industries. We have signed non-binding letters of intent with Equinix, Diamondback Energy, and Prometheus Hyperscale (formerly Wyoming Hyperscale). In December 2024, we signed a 12 gigawatt (GW) Master Power Agreement with Switch data centers, one of the largest corporate power purchase agreements in history. We also executed two other letters of intent to provide an additional 750 MWe of energy for data center customers, which could bring our current total order book of Aurora powerhouses to approximately 14,100 MWe in capacity - nearly a 2,000% increase since our business combination announcement in July 2023. The market interest in our solutions exemplifies the potential demand for the size range of the Aurora powerhouse product line and our differentiated business model. The deployment of our first Aurora powerhouse is targeted for completion in late 2027 or early 2028.
In addition to deployment milestones, we have made significant progress in our nuclear fuel recycling efforts and in securing fuel. The DOE has reviewed and approved Oklo's Safety Design Strategy and the Conceptual Safety Design Report for Oklo's Aurora Fuel Fabrication Facility at INL, key milestones as Oklo advances toward its goal of utilizing recovered nuclear material to fuel its first commercial Aurora powerhouse. We successfully completed the first end-to-end demonstration of the key stages of our advanced fuel recycling process, in collaboration with Argonne and INL. This marks a significant step forward in scaling up fuel recycling capabilities and deploying a commercial-scale recycling facility.
Our Business Model
Our primary product will be the energy produced from our Aurora powerhouses once operational. Our planned business model is to sell the energy to customers via power purchase agreements (“PPAs”), as opposed to selling our powerhouse designs. This business model allows for recurring revenue, provides the opportunity to capture profitability upon improved operational efficiency, and enables novel project financing structures. This business model sets us apart from the traditional nuclear power industry that typically sells reactors to large scale utility customers and not power. Selling power via PPAs is a common practice within the renewable energy and utilities sectors and indicates that this business model could be feasible for power plants within the size range targeted by our Aurora product line (i.e., starting with 15 MWe and 75 MWe, and ranging upward to anticipated sizes of 100 MWe and higher).
The traditional nuclear power industry comprises developers of large (ranging from approximately 600 MWe to over 1,000 MWe) light water reactors that sell or license their reactor designs to large utilities that then construct and operate the nuclear power plant. The developer’s focus on regulatory approval of the design may lock in certain lifecycle regulatory costs that are realized by the owner-operator during construction and operations. As a result, lifecycle cost implications are generally not addressed cohesively between the developer and the owner-operator, and the regulatory strategy does not holistically implement the lifecycle benefits of the technology’s inherent safety characteristics. The advanced fission industry has largely followed the historical blueprint of developers seeking design certifications or approvals, and utilities bearing the future burden of licensing for construction and operations. While there are a number of advanced reactor designers developing smaller sized reactors than those traditionally used in the nuclear power industry, most of these developers are generally pursuing regulatory approval of groupings of these smaller reactors as part of singular larger plants, sizes of 200 MWe and up to 1,000 MWe.
In contrast, we plan to be the designer, builder, owner, and operator of our powerhouses and plan to focus on small-scale powerhouses (15 MWe, 75 MWe, and 100 MWe and higher). As a result, we have an incentive to relentlessly focus on the full lifecycle of a safe, well-maintained, cost-effective powerhouse and holistically implement the benefits of an inherently safe, simple design. We expect this approach to enable us to reduce and manage lifecycle regulatory and operating costs in an integrated fashion, as opposed to the historical model used in the nuclear power industry that divides the incentives and responsibilities between the developer and the utility.
Selling electricity under PPAs follows an established revenue model in global power markets. While this model is more typically used for renewable energy solutions, we believe it is a compelling model for us because of the relatively small size and the lower expected capital costs of our powerhouses, when compared with other nuclear power plants. In addition, our model is designed to generate recurring revenue in a way that the traditional licensing model does not. We expect our powerhouses to be profitable from the first year of operation due to our anticipated favorable unit economics. We also believe this approach will drive unit growth and allow us to ultimately launch higher output versions of our powerhouses. As our technology matures, we intend to offer customers flexibility in business model and deployment solutions to meet their needs, providing Oklo with the largest target customer base possible.
In addition to selling power under PPAs, we believe we have an embedded opportunity to enhance our mission with our advanced nuclear fuel recycling technology. We are actively developing nuclear fuel recycling capabilities with the goal of deploying a commercial-scale fuel recycling facility in the United States by the early 2030s. Used nuclear fuel waste still contains more than 95% of its energy content, and we estimate there is enough energy in the form of used nuclear fuel in the U.S. to power the expected electrical needs in the United States for 100 years with fast fission power plants. According to the DOE, more than 94,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel have been generated since 1950, and an additional 2,000 metric tons are generated every year. Currently, other countries recycle used nuclear fuel waste, but the United States does not, and there is an enormous opportunity to do so. Our reactors are specifically designed to run on either fresh or recycled nuclear fuel, and nuclear fuel recycling could provide future margin uplift for our power sales business, as well as the potential for new revenue streams.
Recent Developments
Atomic Alchemy Acquisition
On February 28, 2025, we acquired all of the common stock outstanding of Atomic Alchemy, Inc. (“Atomic Alchemy”), by way of a statutory merger, in an effort to combine Oklo’s expertise in building and operating fast reactors and nuclear fuel recycling with Atomic Alchemy’s expertise in radioisotope production. Together, we aim to meet the increasing demands for radioisotopes in medical, energy, industry, defense and artificial intelligence applications.
We paid certain of Atomic Alchemy’s investors cash of approximately $1.0 million and exchanged 1,095,179 shares of our Class A common stock, with certain shares subject to vesting and lock-up restrictions, with a price per share of $21.652, representing approximately $23.7 million of stock consideration.
Business Combination
On May 9, 2024, we consummated a business combination pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated July 11, 2023 (as amended, modified, supplemented or waived, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company (formerly known as AltC Acquisition Corp. ("AltC")), AltC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AltC (“Merger Sub”) and Oklo Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Legacy Oklo"). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Oklo, with Legacy Oklo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”). Upon consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), AltC changed its name to Oklo Inc.
Our Class A common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol “OKLO” on May 10, 2024.
In connection with the Business Combination, we received proceeds of $276.2 million, and after transaction costs and advisor fees, we received net proceeds of $259.0 million. Further details related to the Business Combination are provided in Note 3, Business Combination, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8.
In connection with the Business Combination, the following shares of Class A common stock were outstanding: (i) 1,450,000 private placement shares held by AltC Sponsor LLC (the "Sponsor") subject to certain provisions under the sponsor letter agreement (the "Sponsor Agreement"), (ii) 12,500,000 shares by the Sponsor that unvested at Closing and will revest following the Closing upon the occurrence of certain vesting conditions (such shares, the "Founder Shares") as set forth in the Sponsor Agreement (between November 5, 2024 and November 13, 2024 the Founder Shares vesting conditions were met), and (iii) 15,000,000 shares were reserved for the potential future issuance upon the occurrence of certain earnout triggers as set forth in the Merger Agreement (such shares, the “Earnout Shares”) (between November 12, 2024 and November 13, 2024, the Earnout Shares triggering conditions were met), which includes certain shares held by Legacy Oklo vested options holders’ for the contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares at Closing. Further details related to the Business Combination are provided in Note 3, Business Combination and Earnout Awards are provided in Note 11, Stockholders' Equity (Deficit), in our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8.
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
We believe that our future success and financial performance depend on a number of factors that present significant opportunities for our business, but also pose risks and challenges. As a result, we are subject to continuing risks and uncertainties. For additional information, see the sections titled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
Product Development Plan
We plan to leverage the next-generation fast fission powerhouses that we are developing in order to sell power to a variety of potential customers, including data centers, national defense, factories, industrial customers, off-grid and rural customers and utilities.
Commercial deployment of any advanced fission power plant requires obtaining regulatory approvals for design, construction, and operation. Our regulatory strategy has been focused on a custom combined license application. We submitted an initial custom combined license application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) in March 2020, which was denied without prejudice in 2022, and we are working toward submitting an updated custom combined license application for review. In March 2020, we became the first advanced fission company to submit a custom combined license application, and we remain the only such company to do so. It is uncertain when, if at all, we will obtain regulatory approvals for the design, construction, and operation of any of our powerhouses. Our financial condition and results of operation are likely to be materially and adversely affected if we do not obtain such approvals and to the extent this process takes longer or costs more than we expect.
Additionally, we plan to be the designer, builder, owner, and operator of our powerhouses and plan to focus on small-scale powerhouses (15 MWe, 75 MWe, and exploring 100 MWe and higher designs). As a result, we have an incentive to relentlessly focus on the full lifecycle of a safe, well-maintained, cost-effective powerhouse and holistically implement the benefits of an inherently safe, simple design. We expect this approach to enable us to reduce and manage lifecycle regulatory and operating costs in an integrated fashion, as opposed to the historical model used in the nuclear power industry that divides the incentives and responsibilities between the developer and the utility. However, this model exposes us directly to the costs of building, owning, and operating our powerhouses. Our cost projections are heavily dependent upon fuel and raw materials (such as steel), equipment and technical and construction service providers (such as engineering, procurement, and construction firms). The global supply chain, on which we will rely, has been significantly impacted in recent years by inflation, instability in the banking sector, war and other hostilities, and other economic uncertainties, resulting in potential significant delays and cost fluctuations. Similar developments in the future may impact our performance from both a deployment and cost perspective.
Plan of Operations
To further our target of deploying our first powerhouse in late 2027 or early 2028, during 2025, we will engage or continue to engage in the following key initiatives:
•Progressing regulatory approval with the NRC, including a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment for our next Combined License Application, expected to begin in the first half of 2025.
•Progressing regulatory pre-application related activities with the NRC for licensing of commercial fuel fabrication.
•Continuing work related to fuel recycling, such as pre-application regulatory alignment efforts with the NRC, and research and development, both independently and in conjunction with the DOE, focused on facility and process design.
•Working with INL on fuel manufacturing, including preparation of documentation for regulatory review and finalization of the facility design.
•Continuing regulatory activities for DOE approval for the Aurora fuel fabrication facility.
•Advancing partnerships related to fuel enrichment, fuel fabrication, and other key supply chain elements, as well as other procurement activities to expand our fuel sourcing supply chain.
•Executing on key non-fuel elements of our supply chain including steam turbine generator sourcing, steel, and other construction inputs.
•Progressing engineering procurement and construction activities in support of the construction of Aurora powerhouses.
•Continuing and initiating site preparation for announced facilities at the INL, and Piketon, Ohio, respectively. We will begin site preparation for other announced projects based on prioritization, potentially including customers such as Equinix, Diamondback Energy, Prometheus Hyperscale, Switch, and other projects yet to be announced but where commercial discussions have been initiated.
•Negotiating and executing additional letters of intent and converting them into purchase power agreements with multiple potential customers.
•Negotiating and trading term sheets and binding power purchases agreements with customers who have previously signed nonbinding agreements such as letters of intent to purchase power.
•Continuing to hire additional personnel and implement processes and systems necessary to deliver our business strategy.
•Progressing production of radioisotopes by Atomic Alchemy and assessing options to scale production.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, our total operating expenses were $52.8 million and $18.6 million, respectively. We expect our total operating expenses for 2025 to be in the range of $65 million to $80 million.
Nuclear Energy Industry
The nuclear energy industry operates in a politically sensitive environment, and the successful execution of our business model is dependent upon public support for nuclear power, in general, in the U.S. and other countries. Recently, the U.S. government has indicated through bipartisan action that it recognizes the importance of nuclear power in meeting the United States’ growing energy needs. However, the current political environment in the U.S. could change at any time, including in response to events and circumstances over which we exercise no control and the perception of such events and circumstances. Additionally, opposition by third parties could delay the licensing that our business model requires. As a result, our performance will depend in part on factors generally affecting the views and policies regulating nuclear energy industry, which we cannot predict over the long term.
Human Capital Resources
We have a highly technical and founder-led team. Co-founders Jacob DeWitte, our Chief Executive Officer, and Caroline Cochran, our Chief Operating Officer, have approximately 20 years and 15 years of experience in nuclear technology, respectively. Their experience includes graduate degrees in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and prior roles in industry and the DOE. In addition, Craig Bealmear, our Chief Financial Officer, has over 30 years of finance, strategy, and commercial experience, including as the Chief Financial Officer of Renewable Energy Group and as the Chief Financial Officer - North America Downstream for bp plc. His experience includes an M.B.A from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Business Administration from Bellarmine University.
As of December 31, 2024, Oklo had 113 full-time employees, across 29 different states in the United States, as well as one full-time employee in Canada. Our team members have 12 Ph.D.s and 45 master’s degrees in engineering or science. We also have six employees who were formerly NRC staff members, cumulatively representing decades of NRC experience. We also continue to expand our operational functions including legal, accounting, and finance with staff possessing public company experience.
Corporate Culture
Our employees are at the heart of our success and are the driving force behind our company. We actively seek out individuals with exceptional technical and specialized expertise to ensure our technical rigor and excellence. Our team is generally made up of people who are personally passionate to work on our mission, often motivated by the desire to work on solutions to climate change or to support human prosperity, which leads to exceptional teamwork and dedication beyond that inspired by a typical workplace.
As much as we invest in attracting top talent, we are dedicated to their well-being and retention. We place a strong emphasis on promoting wellness initiatives within our organization. These efforts include comprehensive company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and wellness stipends to a range of wellness programs.
Treating our employees with dignity and respect is nonnegotiable. We believe in fostering a workplace culture that values each individual’s contribution, celebrates the variety in individuals' experiences and backgrounds, and encourages open dialogue. We are proud to offer fair, competitive, and equitable compensation packages including both cash and equity compensation.
Fostering a culture of recognition and appreciation of our employees’ dedication and hard work cultivates a sense of pride and camaraderie among our workforce, leading to a motivated and engaged team. We believe that investing in our employees and their well-being creates a positive and dynamic work environment, ultimately fueling our success.
Competition
Our competitors include other power generation technologies, including traditional baseload power producers, other advanced nuclear technologies, renewables with or without storage, advanced energy storage, fossil fuels with carbon capture, and combinations of these technologies.
•Traditional baseload — Traditional baseload power includes natural gas, coal, oil and large-scale nuclear.
•Fossil fuels with carbon capture — Fossil fuel sources provide firm, baseload power, but require carbon capture technology to provide clean power. Carbon capture has not been demonstrated to be economically scalable to meet the need.
•Renewables with or without energy storage — Wind and solar provide clean energy but cannot provide firm, baseload energy due to their intermittency. When paired with energy storage, they can provide a more dispatchable energy supply, but battery storage technology has not been demonstrated to be scalable or cost-effective to meet the need today.
•Other advanced nuclear reactors — There are several advanced reactor technologies in various stages of development, including high-temperature gas reactors, molten salt reactors, fusion technologies, and advanced light water reactor designs.
Intellectual Property
We protect our intellectual property through a combination of patents, trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and trade secrets. We currently hold U.S. patents and have patent applications pending in a number of different jurisdictions that cover a range of different technologies relevant to our technology roadmap and anticipated areas of development. We acquire patents and technology licenses when we consider it advantageous for us to do so. Although in the aggregate our patents and technology licenses are important to us, we do not regard any single patent or license or group of related patents or licenses as critical or essential to our business as a whole. Beyond patents, we also take steps to contractually restrict counterparties from disclosing our confidential or proprietary information in our agreements with employees, consultants, contractors, vendors, and business partners.
Additional information regarding certain risks related to our intellectual property is included in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Government Regulations
We are subject to numerous U.S. federal, state, and local, as well as foreign laws and regulations covering a wide variety of subjects relating to our operations, and the scope of this coverage continues to broaden with continuing new legal and regulatory developments in the U.S. and internationally. In particular, we must comply with a range of laws and regulations including those relating to nuclear energy, nuclear materials (including fuels we rely on like HALEU), the environment, export controls, national security, and other broad areas of law.
Like other companies involved in the generation of nuclear energy, we deal with intense scrutiny from both U.S. and foreign governments with respect to our compliance with laws and regulations. Many of these laws and regulations are evolving and their applicability and scope, as interpreted by agencies or ultimately the courts, remain uncertain. Some of these laws and regulations require that certain aspects of our operations, facilities, and business model be licensed or approved by specific regulators, including the NRC. Particularly with regard to our operations, U.S. regulators (including the NRC) have little precedent dealing with business models and product roadmaps like ours, which could make regulatory and licensing discussions more complicated than with more traditional providers (for example, providers designing and building light water reactor plants).
Additionally, we work in close collaboration with the DOE’s National Laboratories and various other governmental bodies (for example, the U.S. Department of Defense, or various state or local bodies). These collaborations often impose legal and/or contractual restrictions on us that arise out of laws or regulations that may otherwise not apply to us as a private commercial business.
Our compliance with these laws, regulations, and contractual commitments may be onerous and could, individually or in the aggregate, increase our cost of doing business, impact the financial viability of our business model, limit our ability to pursue certain business practices or offer certain products and services, cause us to change our business models and operations, affect our competitive position relative to our peers, and/or otherwise harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
Additional information regarding certain risks related to government regulations is included in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Available Information
We file our annual, periodic and current reports, and other required information, electronically with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file with the SEC electronically. We also make available on our website at www.oklo.com, free of charge, copies of these reports and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
We use our website, press releases, public conference calls and public webcasts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information disclosed by the foregoing channels could be deemed to be material information. As such, we encourage investors, the media, and others to follow the channels listed above and to review the information disclosed through such channels. The contents of the websites referred to above are not incorporated into this filing.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
RISK FACTORS
The below is a summary of principal risks to our business and risks associated with ownership of our Common Stock. The risks and uncertainties described below should be carefully considered, together will all other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making a decision to invest in our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects could also be harmed by risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or what we currently do not believe are material. In the event that any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be adversely affected and could lead to a decline in the market price of our common stock.
Risk Factors Summary
•We have not yet constructed any powerhouses or entered into any binding contract with any customer to operate a plant or deliver electricity or heat, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so in the future. Our limited commercial operating history and limited experience in operating a company presents risks and challenges.
•We are an early‑stage company with a history of financial losses, and we expect to incur significant expenses and continuing financial losses.
•Acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures can involve unknown risks.
•Our powerhouses are expected to rely on high-assay low-enriched uranium (“HALEU”). Our inability to access HALEU or recycled waste fuel will adversely affect our ability to manufacture fuel and to produce power.
•Building a new fuel fabrication and/or fuel recycling facility is challenging.
•Our supply base may not be able to scale to the production levels necessary to meet sales projections.
•We and our third‑party vendors may not be able to obtain sufficient materials or supplied components or scale productions levels necessary to meet our manufacturing and operating needs or obtain such materials on favorable terms including price. Additionally, certain components may only be available from international suppliers.
•Our business operations rely heavily on securing agreements with suppliers for essential materials and components. Our ability to enter into agreements with potential new customers to provide power may be limited by certain terms of the February 2024 LOI, as described below.
•Customers may rescind or back out of non-binding agreements.
•A departure of key personnel or our failure to successfully recruit and retain skilled personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
•Risks related to our power purchase agreements.
•There is limited precedent for independent developer construction and operation, use of power purchase agreements, and other behind the meter or off grid business models relating to deployment of fission power plants.
•Some of our management team have limited experience in operating a public company.
•If we fail to manage our growth effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan.
•Risks related to limited commercial operating experience for metal-fueled fast reactors of this type, configuration, and scale.
•The distributed generation industry is an emerging market, and distributed generation may not receive widespread market acceptance or demand may be lower than we expect.
•Successful commercialization of new, or further enhancements to existing, alternative carbon free energy generation technologies may adversely affect the market demand for our powerhouses.
•If demand for our powerhouses fails to develop sufficiently, our business and operations could suffer, and we would be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.
•Competition could cause us to experience downward pressure. The cost of electricity and heat generated from our powerhouses may not be cost competitive with electricity and/or heat generated from other sources.
•Changes in the availability and cost of oil, natural gas and other forms of energy are subject to volatile market conditions. Our investment in recycling may not provide the return we expect.
•Our business plan involves the concurrent development of two configurations of our powerhouses (15 MWe and 75 MWe) and may also include the development of other configurations (100 MWe and higher), and makes certain assumptions that may not be accurate or correct. Any adverse change to these assumptions may have a material adverse effect on our business.
•Negative public and political perceptions of nuclear energy and radioactive materials could materially and adversely affect us.
•Our use of technologies and systems that use artificial intelligence or large language models may cause inadvertent or unexpected impacts that may harm our business.
•Our ability to protect our patents and other intellectual property rights may be challenged.
•Risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy.
•Macroeconomic risks related to our business, including inflation, rising costs, uncertain global macroeconomic and political conditions, and climate change impacts. Furthermore, if the market for artificial intelligence ("AI") technologies contracts or grows slower than expected, it may reduce demand for our offerings.
•Risks related to compliance with law, government regulation and litigation.
•Risks related to our capital resources and our ability to continue as a going concern, and risks related to tax laws and regulations.
•Risks related to the volatility of our common stock, and provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
•Risks as an emerging growth company.
•Our failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") could negatively impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
We have not yet constructed any powerhouses or entered into any binding contract with any customer to operate a plant or deliver electricity or heat, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so in the future. This limited commercial operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our prospects, the risks and challenges we may encounter and our total potential addressable market.
Our business plan to construct and operate our powerhouses is subject to reaching binding agreements with potential customers for electricity or heat delivered by our powerhouses. If no potential near‑term customer enters into such binding agreements with us, our planned construction and operation of our powerhouses could be significantly delayed. Such delays would result in delays in revenue and could hinder our ability to gain market traction with other potential customers. This could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. To date, we have entered into contingent non‑binding letters of intent to purchase power with potential customers, which may not result in binding agreements for the purchase of electricity or heat from our powerhouses. In addition, we have been tentatively selected to provide electricity and steam to Eielson AFB, and such award has not been finalized and is subject to our completion of various requirements set forth by the U.S. Air Force. As a result of our limited commercial operating history and ongoing changes in our new and evolving industry, including evolving demand for our products and services and the potential development of technologies that may prove more efficient or effective for our intended use cases, our ability to forecast our future results of operations and plan for and model future growth is limited and subject to a number of uncertainties. Therefore, there can be no assurance that our internal estimates relating to the size of our total addressable market will be correct. In addition, our expectations with respect to our total potential addressable market may differ from those of third parties, including investors or securities analysts.
We have a limited commercial operating history in a rapidly evolving industry. The markets for electricity and heat generated by nuclear power plants, nuclear reactor design, nuclear reactor production, nuclear fuel design, nuclear fuel supply, nuclear waste recycling, nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear waste management and services related to any or all of the foregoing may not continue to develop in a manner that we expect or that otherwise would be favorable to our business. We have encountered and expect to continue to encounter risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly evolving industries, such as the risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, we may be unable to prepare accurate internal financial forecasts or replace anticipated revenue that we do not receive as a result of delays, changed circumstances, or changed market conditions arising from these factors, and our results of operations in future reporting periods may be below the expectations of investors or analysts. If we do not address these risks successfully, our results of operations could differ materially from our estimates and forecasts or the expectations of investors or analysts, causing our business to suffer and our common stock price to decline.
We have limited experience in operating a company that builds and operates commercial nuclear power plants or that directly provides customers heat or power.
We have limited experience operating a company that builds, operates, or maintains commercial nuclear power plants or that directly provides customers energy as electricity or heat. Our management may not be fully aware of many of the specific requirements of operating such a company. We believe our primary business approach of providing power directly to customers as opposed to licensing designs or selling powerhouses is unique in the nuclear power industry. As a result of our business model and lack of experience of our management, our management’s decisions and choices may not take into account standard managerial approaches that commercial nuclear power companies commonly use, some of which may not be directly relevant to our business. Our operations, earnings and ultimate financial success could suffer due to our management’s lack of experience.
We are an early‑stage company with a history of financial losses (i.e., negative cash flows), and we expect to incur significant expenses and continuing financial losses at least until our powerhouses become commercially viable, which may never occur.
We expect our operating expenses to increase over the next several years and to continue to incur operating losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to expand and develop, and we may need additional capital from external sources.
Our construction and delivery timeline estimates for our powerhouses, facilities, and other equipment may increase due to a number of factors, including the degree of pre‑fabrication, standardization, on‑site construction, long‑lead procurement, contractor performance, plant pre‑operational and startup testing and other site‑specific considerations.
The success of our business will depend in large part on our ability to successfully construct our powerhouses and deliver heat and electricity to potential customers on‑time and on‑budget at guaranteed performance levels, which would tend to establish greater confidence in our subsequent customers. The success of our business will also depend in part on our ability to construct fuel fabrication and recycling facilities. There is no guarantee that all necessary components will be commercially available and substantial development of new supply chains might be necessary.
Additionally, we cannot guarantee the level of quality of these third‑party supplies or import and export requirements or limitations that might be stipulated by the NRC or U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) for the procurement of these components. There is no guarantee that the planned construction, delivery, and performance of our powerhouses or the equipment we need to fabricate and recycle fuel will be successful, timely, or on budget or that our third‑party suppliers and contractors will deliver timely or on budget; plant pre‑operational and startup testing, including tests mandated as license conditions by the NRC, will be successfully completed on‑time; we will not experience delays, operational or process failures, and other problems during our first commercial deployment or any planned deployment thereafter; or the construction of our fuel fabrication and recycling facilities will be completed at the cost and on the timeline we expect. We will depend on third‑party contractors to perform many of the essential activities needed to deploy our powerhouses. We do not control the performance of these contractors and our contracts with them may not provide adequate remedies if they fail to perform. We do not currently employ any risk-sharing structures to mitigate the risks associated with the construction, delivery and performance of our powerhouses or our fuel fabrication and recycling facilities. Any delays or setbacks we may experience for our first commercial delivery or in establishing our fuel fabrication or recycling facilities as well as any failure to obtain final investment decisions for future orders could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could harm our reputation.
Acquisitions, divestitures or joint ventures involve unknown risks and could result in operating difficulties or other consequences that may have adverse effects on our business and operating results.
Acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures, including the acquisition of Atomic Alchemy, may fail to achieve their intended results, and their activities may disrupt or have a negative impact on the Company’s business or to our financial condition and operating results. The pursuit of acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures could create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. Some of the areas where we face risks include:
•diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to challenges related to acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic arrangements;
•failure to complete acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures in a timely basis, if at all, could restrict our ability to realize the expected financial or strategic goals of a transaction;
•failure to successfully integrate the acquired operations, technologies, services, and personnel (including cultural integration and retention of employees) and further develop the acquired business or technology;
•implementation of controls (or remediation of control deficiencies), procedures, and policies at the acquired company;
•integration of the acquired company’s accounting and other administrative systems, and the coordination of product, engineering, and sales and marketing functions;
•transition of the acquired company’s operations, users, and customers onto our existing platforms;
•failure to accomplish commercial, strategic or financial objectives with respect to investments, joint ventures, and other strategic arrangements;
•liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition, including patent and trademark infringement claims, data privacy and security issues, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities, warranty claims, product liabilities, and other known and unknown liabilities; and
•litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from former employees, customers, former stockholders, or other third parties.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic arrangements could cause us to fail to realize their anticipated benefits, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally.
Our acquisitions and other strategic arrangements could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses, or impairment of goodwill and/or purchased long-lived assets, and restructuring charges, any of which could harm our financial condition and operating results. In connection with our divestitures, we have agreed, and may in the future agree, to provide indemnification for certain potential liabilities, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
Our powerhouses, like many advanced fission reactors, are expected to rely on HALEU, in part or for a period of time until recycled waste fuel is available. HALEU is not currently available at scale. Access to a domestic supply of HALEU
requires regulatory approval, and may require additional third‑party development and investment and/or significant government assistance. If we are unable to access HALEU or recycled waste fuel, our ability to manufacture fuel and to produce power will be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Existing commercial nuclear infrastructure, including enrichment facilities and fuel fabrication facilities, were in most cases designed and are currently licensed to produce uranium in pellet and rod form, with enrichment of the isotope Uranium 235 up to 5%, according to the World Nuclear Association and NRC. Our powerhouses are expected to rely, in part, on HALEU that is not currently available at scale domestically. Supplying fresh HALEU to our powerhouses could require continued modifications to, and NRC licensing of, existing commercial uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication facilities, none of which are currently owned or operated by us.
Currently, HALEU for our commercial powerhouses is available only in limited quantities globally. In the United States, HALEU can be sourced in small amounts from the DOE, and a small but growing supply is being produced domestically by Centrus Energy Corp. ("Centrus") and by others. Despite U.S. government initiatives, including the $700 million in funding for HALEU development (supported by the Energy Act of 2020 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) and the DOE’s request for proposals to purchase low-enriched uranium (LEU) from domestic sources on June 27, 2024 (supported by $2.7 billion from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda), the HALEU program is still in its early stages, and significant progress is required to achieve reliable and scalable production. It is possible that the U.S. government may release feedstock, initially in the form of highly enriched uranium (HEU), that could be down-blended to HALEU for commercial use. However, the ability to process HEU into HALEU is currently limited to a few licensed third parties in the United States, and these entities do not yet produce commercial-scale HALEU. Additionally, these third parties may require regulatory approvals, infrastructure modifications, and process changes to scale up their operations. With the change in administration, it is possible recent federal funding initiatives will be delayed or discontinued. Additionally, some industry participants may be slow to implement required infrastructure upgrades or to obtain Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses or other regulatory approvals needed to enable the enrichment and fabrication of HALEU fuel. These challenges could impair our ability to secure adequate HALEU supplies on a predictable schedule and at a manageable cost. Delays in obtaining HALEU could impact key activities such as fuel loading, testing, and operation of our powerhouses, potentially exposing us to cost and schedule uncertainties. Any such delays may negatively affect the competitiveness of our powerhouses and the power and heat they produce.
Building a new fuel fabrication facility is challenging as a result of many factors, including regulatory and construction complexity, and may take longer or cost more than we expect.
We have received initial third‑party cost estimates related to building our first‑of‑a‑kind new commercial fuel fabrication facility. Costs may ultimately be significantly higher than our current estimates, which may affect the marketability, capital and operational costs of our powerhouses and our expectations with respect to our business plan and future profitability. Where these issues arise at such later stages of deployment, deployment could be subject to greater costs or be significantly delayed, which could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Building a new fuel recycling facility is challenging as a result of many factors, including regulatory and construction complexity, and may take longer or cost more than we expect.
Our estimates for a fuel recycling facility are based upon studies performed at the U.S. national labs and work that is underway through a series of joint Oklo-DOE projects. However, costs may be significantly higher than our current estimates, both in terms of the capital and operational costs of our recycling facilities and our expectations with respect to our business plan and future profitability. There is limited experience with licensing and constructing fuel recycling facilities at commercial scale in the United States. As a result, the deployment of this facility could be subject to higher costs than expected or be significantly delayed, which could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our supply base may not be able to scale to the production levels necessary to meet sales projections.
We do not have manufacturing assets and will rely on third-party manufacturers and construction firms to build powerhouses, fuel fabrication facilities, recycling facilities, and associated equipment. These capabilities and the facilities involve risks including timeline, cost, and financing risk and even if successfully developed, such capabilities will not be available for our earliest powerhouse deployments. Moreover, we are dependent on future supplier capability to meet production demands attendant to our forecasts. If our supply chain cannot meet the schedule demands of the market, our projected sales revenues could be materially impacted.
We rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain materials and supplied components, some of which are highly specialized and are being designed for first‑of‑a‑kind or sole use in our powerhouses, fuel fabrication facilities, and fuel recycling facilities. We and our third‑party vendors may not be able to obtain sufficient materials or supplied components to meet our manufacturing and operating needs or obtain such materials on favorable terms including price. Additionally, certain components may only be available from international suppliers.
We rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain materials and supplied components. We may not be able to obtain sufficient materials or supplied components to meet our manufacturing and operating needs, or obtain such materials on favorable terms, which could impair our ability to fulfill our orders in a timely manner or increase our costs of production.
We do not have significant prior experience in the manufacture of any of the components of fuel fabrication facilities, fuel recycling facilities, or power plants. We have done prototypic fabrication work and are working to establish manufacturing capabilities for components as well as the deployment of a manufacturing facility. Our suppliers’ ability to manufacture components for our fuel fabrication facilities, fuel recycling facilities, and powerhouses is dependent upon sufficient availability of materials and possibly other supplied components, some of which are highly specialized and are being designed for first‑of‑a‑kind or sole use in our fuel fabrication facilities, fuel recycling facilities, and powerhouses. Any supply chain disruption incurred by our third‑party suppliers or degradation in the quality and processes of our manufacturer partners, may result in delays, cost overruns or impairments to the development of our fuel fabrication facilities, fuel recycling facilities, and powerhouses.
Additionally, certain components may only be available from international suppliers, and the imposition of sanctions, tariffs, or material changes in import and export requirements on a nation‑by‑nation basis, on materials or supplied components for our power plants could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Prolonged disruptions in the supply of any of our key materials or components, difficulty qualifying new sources of supply, implementing the use of replacement materials or new sources of supply or any volatility in prices could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate in a cost‑efficient, timely manner. Such prolonged disruptions could also cause us to experience cancellations or delays of scheduled launches, customer cancellations or reductions in our prices and margins, any of which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our business operations rely heavily on securing agreements with suppliers for essential materials and components that will be used to construct our powerhouses, fuel fabrication facilities, and recycling facilities.
The execution, termination, expiration, or failure to renew agreements with our suppliers, including, but not limited to, Siemens Energy and Centrus, whether due to unforeseen circumstances such as supplier insolvency and regulatory changes, pose significant risks to our supply chain. In the event that such agreements are not successfully maintained or replaced, we may encounter difficulties sourcing required materials and components, leading to deployment delays, increased costs, or an inability to meet customer demand. Any interruption or inability to maintain relationships with current and future suppliers, or failure to secure materials from alternative suppliers could adversely impact our business operations, financial performance, and reputation.
Our ability to enter into agreements with potential new customers to provide power may be limited by certain terms of the February 2024 LOI, including right of first refusal and most favored nations provisions.
On February 16, 2024 (the “LOI Execution Date”), Legacy Oklo entered into that certain Confidential Letter of Intent to Purchase Power, dated as of February 16, 2024, by and between Legacy Oklo and Equinix (the "February 2024 LOI"), which confirms Equinix’s interest in purchasing power from our powerhouses to serve its data centers in the United States. The terms and conditions contained in the February 2024 LOI are expected to be further expanded specific to future deployments within a Power Purchase Agreement (each a “PPA”). The terms of a PPA are expected to include, but not be limited to, the following: (i) defining deployment locations; (ii) cost; (iii) jurisdictional and regulatory requirements; (iv) schedule; (v) engineering; (vi) manufacturing; (vii) operational performance; and (viii) detailed terms required to complete each location specific PPA. Subject to the terms of the February 2024 LOI, for a period of 36 months following the LOI Execution Date, Equinix will have a continuing right of first refusal to purchase energy output produced by powerhouses developed by us in the United States, excluding any powerhouses supplying output to any governmental entity and powerhouses sited in Idaho, Arizona and Ohio (any non‑excluded powerhouse being referred to herein as a “Covered Facility”) for power capacity of no less than 100 MW of energy output from any Covered Facility and up to 500 MW of energy output from any Covered Facility (the “ROFR”). It was further agreed, subject to the terms of the February 2024 LOI, that we will not enter into, effective on or after the date of the February 2024 LOI, any letter of intent, PPA or similar agreements or understanding with any current or prospective third‑party customer that would grant to such third‑party customer any more favorable agreement terms, material terms or most favored nation pricing than those set in the February 2024 LOI (the “MFN”). The application of the ROFR and MFN provisions may negatively impact our ability to achieve results consistent with our illustrative unit economics and may impair our ability to enter into power purchase agreements with additional customers, including by dampening potential interest from any such potential customers.
Customers may rescind or back out of non‑binding agreements due to various reasons, which could adversely affect our revenue streams, project timelines, and overall financial performance.
We have entered into and may enter into additional non‑binding agreements, such as a master power agreement, memorandum of understanding or letter of interest with customers for the purchase of power or to collaborate on projects. These agreements are non‑binding and the underlying contracts may not come to fruition as a result of among other things, changes in business priorities, financial constraints, regulatory changes, force majeure events, failure to obtain necessary approvals, or failure to meet contractual obligations by either party. The termination of these agreements could adversely affect our business. Additionally, loss of planned customers or projects may negatively impact our reputation and future business prospects.
We depend on key executives, management, directors, and other highly skilled personnel to execute our business plan and conduct and oversee our operations, as applicable. A departure of key personnel or our failure to successfully recruit and retain skilled personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our success depends, in significant part, on the continued services of our senior management team and directors and on our ability to attract, motivate, develop, and retain a sufficient number of other highly skilled personnel, including engineering, science, technology, manufacturing and quality assurance, regulatory affairs, finance, marketing and sales personnel. Our senior management team and directors have extensive experience in the energy and manufacturing industries, and we believe that their depth of experience is instrumental to our continued success. The loss of any one or more members of our senior management team or directors, for any reason, including resignation or retirement, could impair our ability to execute our business strategy and have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition if we are unable to successfully attract and retain qualified and highly skilled replacement personnel.
Competition for the limited number of these skilled personnel is intense. If we are unable to adequately anticipate our needs for certain key competencies and implement human resource solutions to recruit or improve these competencies, our business, results of operations and financial condition would suffer. If we are unable to recruit and retain highly skilled personnel, especially personnel with sufficient technical expertise to develop our powerhouses, fuel fabrication facilities, recycling facilities, and fuel, we may experience delays, increased costs, and reputational harm.
Power purchase agreements are a key component to our anticipated business model for sales of power, and customers may be able to void all or part of these contracts under certain circumstances, which could significantly impact our financial performance and operational stability. We may need to find substitute customer power and/or heat offtake or may need to cancel licensing work related to particular customers and sites as a result of changes in customer demand or contracts with customers.
In our power purchase agreements with customers, we will seek to protect ourselves from risks, but there is no guarantee that we can prevent all customers from voiding our contracts in full or in part.
Customers might have the right to terminate or renegotiate these contracts based on a number of factors that will be specified on an agreement‑by‑agreement basis. Given the risk that a customer might void, or attempt to re‑negotiate, a power purchase agreement, we might ultimately expend resources on a deployment that does not realize the expected revenue. Depending on the stage of development of the deployment we may cancel licensing and procurement efforts, losing our investment to that point, or we may be forced to find substitute customers, which may not ultimately purchase energy on as favorable of terms, reducing the expected revenue of the deployment. Attracting new customers could be time‑consuming, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to secure new power purchase agreements on terms that are as favorable as the original agreements.
Fluctuations in energy prices could impact the viability of our power purchase agreements, especially if the contract prices are fixed or based on long term projections. Rapid changes in the energy markets might render our pricing less competitive or less profitable.
Power purchase agreements may include penalties for not delivering sufficient electric and/or heat energy on schedule, which may result in liabilities and reductions in cash flow.
A term occasionally used in power purchase agreements involves penalties that may accrue if either party fails to meet the stipulations of the relevant agreement, including penalties for the power producer, in this case the Company, if adequate power is not provided on time. Such penalties may adversely impact our profitability and financial stability. Additionally, such penalties might lead to cash flow reductions as our financial resources are diverted to remediate. Reduced cash flow may inhibit our ability to invest in growth opportunities, fund operational expenses, and service debt, among other financial impacts.
Incurring penalties might also harm our reputation in the market, and may put us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors.
There is limited precedent for independent developer construction and operation, use of power purchase agreements, and other behind‑the‑meter or off‑grid business models relating to deployment of fission power plants.
The deployment of fission power plants by independent developers, as well as the utilization of power purchase agreements and other behind‑the‑meter or off‑grid business models, is relatively novel in the energy industry. As a result, our business faces certain risks and challenges due to the novelty of the business model. The absence of prior experiences may introduce uncertainties that could impact our business projections and subsequent performance. Additionally, the novelty of this business approach, or the perception thereof, might lead to higher perceived risks and, consequently, less favorable financing terms, or higher uncertainty risk assessments that might increase the potential for cost overruns and delays of deployment.
The unfamiliarity of independent developer fission power plants and alternative business models might affect market acceptance. Potential customers and stakeholders might hesitate to adopt our approach, which could slow down market penetration and revenue growth.
This approach is novel to the nuclear industry and if proven successful, may be adopted by competitors. Increased competition could erode profit margins and hinder our market expansion.
Some of our powerhouses may rely on interconnections to distribution and transmission facilities owned and operated by third parties, meaning that those specific deployments are exposed to interconnection and transmission facility development and curtailment risks. These curtailment risks could impede delivery of our electricity, have a material adverse effect on our revenue and operational performance, occur without compensation and reduce our ability to fully capitalize on the potential of those specific deployments.
Insurers may perceive higher risks associated with limited precedent projects, potentially leading to increased insurance premiums or difficulties in obtaining adequate coverage.
Some of our management team have limited experience in operating a public company.
Some of our executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities, which will result in less time being devoted to our management and growth. We may need to add additional personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting to maintain what is required of public companies in the United States. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to maintain the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the United States may require costs greater than expected. We could be required to expand our employee base and hire additional employees to support our operations as a public company, which will increase our operating costs in future periods.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We intend to expand our operations significantly to address our target market. To properly manage our growth, we will need to hire and retain additional personnel, upgrade our existing operational management and financial and reporting systems, and improve our business processes and controls. Our future expansion will include:
•hiring and training new personnel;
•completing the designs, licensing, construction, and commissioning of our powerhouses;
•optimizing applications of our reactors to serve both electric power customers and a broad base of non‑traditional industrial customers interested in utilizing the heat produced by our powerhouses;
•developing the supply chain necessary to supply components for our powerhouses;
•developing the processes and technologies to transport radiological materials;
•developing fuel fabrication capabilities and capacity;
•developing the operational capabilities and functions necessary to operate our powerhouses;
•establishing the supply chain required to source and obtain fuel;
•controlling expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations;
•completing the design, licensing, construction, and commissioning of our fuel recycling facilities;
•upgrading the existing operational management and financial reporting systems and team to comply with requirements as a public company; and
•implementing and enhancing administrative infrastructure, systems, and processes.
If our operations continue to grow, of which there can be no assurance, we will need to continue to expand our sales and marketing, research and development, customer, and commercial strategy, permitting and licensing, products and services, manufacturing, supply, and operations functions. These efforts will require us to invest significant financial and other resources, including in industries and sales channels in which we have limited experience to date. We will also need to continue to develop our manufacturing and operational systems and processes, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to scale the business as currently planned or within the planned timeframe. The continued expansion of our business may also require additional manufacturing and operational facilities, as well as space for administrative support, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to find suitable locations for such facilities.
Our continued growth could increase the strain on our resources, and we could experience operating difficulties, including difficulties in hiring and training employees, finding capacity internally and with third parties to construct our powerhouses and related equipment, delays in production, challenges in scaling‑up fuel recycling capacity, and difficulty sourcing adequate raw materials, such as HALEU. These difficulties may divert the attention of management and key employees and impact financial and operational results. If we are unable to drive commensurate growth, these costs, which include lease commitments, headcount, and capital assets, could result in decreased margins, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
There is limited commercial operating experience for metal‑fueled fast reactors of this type, configuration, and scale, particularly compared to that of the existing fleet of large light water reactors. This creates risks in cost and timeline estimates, and lack of recent domestic commercial experience in terms of labor and supply chain and other factors may result in greater than expected construction costs, deployment timelines, maintenance requirements, differing power output and greater operating expenses.
The lack of commercial experience building and operating metal-fueled fast reactors like ours could lead to us failing to identify latent design, manufacturing, construction, and operations issues of our powerhouses early enough to avoid negative effects on production, fabrication, construction or ultimate performance of powerhouse and related technologies. Moreover, the cost and time associated with the construction and maintenance of our metal‑fueled fast reactors may be greater than we expect because of a lack of a domestic labor force with relevant commercial experience and an inexperienced supply chain for this type of reactor. Where these issues arise at later stages of deployment, deployment could be subject to greater costs or be significantly delayed, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Successful commercialization of new, or further enhancements to existing, alternative carbon‑free energy generation technologies, such as adding carbon capture and sequestration/storage mechanisms to fossil fuel power plants, wind, solar, geothermal or fusion, may prove to be more cost effective or appealing to the global energy markets and therefore may adversely affect the market demand for our powerhouses, potentially adversely affecting our ability to successfully commercialize our powerhouses.
The expected market for our powerhouses may be superseded or rendered obsolete by new technology or the novel application of existing technology. Our estimates for the total addressable market and expectations with regards to certain unit economics are based on a number of internal and third‑party estimates, including our potential contracted revenue, the number of potential customers who have expressed interest in heat and electricity from our powerhouses, the conversion rate of those potential customers into paying customers, assumed prices and production costs for our powerhouses and resulting power, our ability to leverage our current logistical and operational processes, and assumptions regarding our technology and general market conditions. However, our assumptions and the data underlying our estimates may not be correct and the conditions supporting our assumptions or estimates may change at any time, reducing the predictive accuracy of these underlying factors. Any material change to our assumptions or expectations may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could harm our reputation.
The market for alternative carbon‑free energy generation technologies has not yet been established and may not achieve the potential we expect or may grow more slowly than expected. If demand for our powerhouses fails to develop sufficiently, our business and operations could suffer, and we would be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.
The viability and continued growth in demand for alternative carbon‑free energy generation technologies, and in turn, our powerhouses, may be impacted by many factors outside of our control, including:
•market acceptance of nuclear power;
•cost competitiveness, reliability and performance of our powerhouses compared to conventional and renewable energy sources and products;
•availability and amount of financing to support the development and deployment of our powerhouses;
•the extent to which the nuclear power industry and broader energy industries are deregulated to permit broader adoption of nuclear electricity generation;
•the cost and availability of key materials and components used in the production of our powerhouses;
•prices of traditional utility‑provided energy sources; and
•the emergence, continuance, or success of, or increased government support for, other alternative energy generation technologies and products.
Reduction in energy demand or changes in climate‑related policies may change market conditions, reducing our product’s competitiveness and affecting our performance. If demand does not grow, our business and operations could suffer, which would have an adverse impact on our ability to grow our business and we could be unable to achieve or maintain profitability.
Competition from existing or new competitors or technologies domestically and internationally could cause us to experience downward pressure on prices, fewer customer orders, reduced margins, the inability to take advantage of new business opportunities, and the loss of market share.
We operate in a highly competitive energy market and are subject to competition based upon product design, performance, technology, pricing, quality, and services, from competing nuclear suppliers, as well as from alternative means of producing electricity and/or heat. There are a number of advanced reactor designs and advanced reactor projects under development in the United States. Many of these designs are involved in application and pre-application reviews with the NRC. Our products and services will conform to more exacting specifications and may carry a higher price than competing non‑nuclear products due to the highly regulated nature of the U.S. nuclear industry. Other companies providing competing technologies could capture customers or market share from us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Moreover, our competitors may develop or adopt technologies that are superior, more efficient, more effective, and/or more attractive to prospective customers compared to our technologies (on a price-to-value basis, operational impact, or otherwise), or may adapt more quickly to leverage new or emerging technologies or meet new or evolving regulatory requirements in our target markets. We will need to anticipate and respond to these changes by enhancing our offerings and/or internal processes in order to maintain our competitive position, but we may not be successful in doing so.
For sales and/or deployments outside of jurisdictions with highly developed nuclear regulatory frameworks, some of our foreign competitors currently benefit from, and others may benefit in the future from, permissive regulatory and licensing regimes and/or from protective measures by their home countries where governments are providing financial support, including significant investments in the development of new technologies. Those competitors may have a competitive advantage if they are able to obtain approvals, or if they can demonstrate to potential customers the value and benefits of their products and services, particularly in jurisdictions that have less stringent nuclear regulatory requirements. These competitors may have access to greater sources of funding to develop and commercialize their power than we do, whether as a result of potential competitive advantages or from supportive national governments. This market environment may result in increased pressures on our pricing and other competitive factors.
We believe our ability to compete successfully in designing, engineering, manufacturing, and operating our products and services at significantly reduced costs to customers does and will depend on a number of factors, which may change in the future due to increased competition. If we are unable to compete successfully, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be adversely affected.
The cost of electricity and heat generated from our powerhouses may not be cost competitive with electricity and/or heat generated from other sources, which could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Many U.S. electricity markets price electric energy, capacity, and/or ancillary services on a competitive basis, with market prices subject to substantial fluctuations. Other markets remain heavily regulated by state or local utility regulatory authorities, with power purchase decisions by electric utilities subject to various competitiveness or prudence tests. As a result of competitive pressures, some electricity markets experience low marginal energy prices at certain times due to a combination of subsidized generating resources, competitors with low‑cost or no‑cost fuel sources, or market‑design features that create incentives for certain attributes or deliver revenue in unpredictable ways over time, and we may not be able to compete in these markets unless the benefits of our advanced fission power technology and business model are sufficiently valued. Even in markets that price reliable capacity on a long‑term basis, there is no guarantee that advanced fission power will be sufficiently low‑cost so as to clear auction‑style capacity markets or to attract customers to sign power purchase agreements with us on commercially acceptable terms, and signing a power purchase agreement or clearing a capacity auction in any one year is no guarantee of similar outcomes in successive years. Moreover, powerhouses will likely serve a specific number of market segments targeting smaller distributed generation, remote application, or industrial customers, who may have lower cost power/heat alternatives available to them, especially in the near‑term.
Failure of the cost of electricity and heat generated from our powerhouses to be cost competitive with electricity and/or heat generated from other sources, will limit our ability to charge a premium relative to other energy sources, which could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in the availability and cost of oil, natural gas and other forms of energy are subject to volatile market conditions that could adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The availability and prices of oil, natural gas, and other forms of energy are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions are affected by political, economic, and other factors beyond our control. Decreases in energy prices or increases in nuclear energy costs relative to other forms of energy may adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. To the extent that these uncertainties cause suppliers and customers to be more cost sensitive or to adjust their business plans and operations, decreased energy prices may have an adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our investment in recycling may not provide the return we expect. The market for recycled nuclear fuel in the United States may never be established or may be smaller or grow more slowly than expected.
We are actively developing fuel recycling capabilities with the goal of deploying a commercial‑scale fuel recycling facility in the United States by the 2030s. We currently expect to be the primary, but not the sole, users of the recycled fuel we plan to generate. Challenges that could impact timeline and cost might arise from necessary activities such as siting, obtaining of federal, state, and local permits and approvals, transportation, threatened litigation, access to used fuel for the purposes of recycling, and securing disposal solutions for waste. Our estimates for the total addressable market and expectations with regards to this potential line of business are based on several internal and third‑party estimates, including those for facility deployment, licensing, capital and operational costs, and sales prices for the resulting recycled fuel. The timeline to scale‑up and deploy the necessary technological processes is based upon assumptions regarding our technology and general market conditions. However, our assumptions and the data underlying these estimates may not be correct, and the conditions supporting our assumptions or estimates might change at any time, reducing the accuracy of these underlying assumptions. As a result, our investment in fuel recycling technology and this potential line of business may not provide any return, or the return we have projected. In addition, the market for recycling nuclear fuel in the United States has not yet been established and nuclear fuel recycling technologies such as ours have limited operational history and have not been proven at scale. Any material change to our assumptions or expectations with respect to the market for recycled nuclear fuel and the technology we plan to utilize may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, and could harm our reputation.
Our business plan involves the concurrent development of two configurations of our powerhouses (15 MWe and 75 MWe), and makes certain assumptions with respect to learnings, efficiencies and regulatory approvals as a result of this concurrent development approach, which may not be accurate or correct. Any adverse change to these assumptions may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our business plan to construct and operate our powerhouses is subject to the continued development activities and makes assumptions with respect to learnings, efficiencies and regulatory approvals as a result of this concurrent development approach. If such assumptions regarding the concurrent development of our powerhouses are not accurate, we may be unable to successfully introduce, market, and sell these configurations of our powerhouses in a timely and cost‑effective manner, and properly position and/or price our products, and our business, results of operations, or financial position could be materially impacted.
Our business plan may also include the development of other configurations of our powerhouses (100 MWe and higher), and makes certain assumptions with respect to learnings, efficiencies, and regulatory approvals as a result of this new development approach which may not be accurate or correct. Any adverse change to these assumptions may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.
We compete in a market characterized by rapid technological advances, evolving regulatory standards in software technology and frequent new product introductions and enhancements. To succeed, we may also rely on the development of other configurations of our powerhouses (100 MWe and higher). The development of other configurations of our powerhouses has inherent risks, including, but not limited to:
•higher than expected research and development costs;
•delays or unexpected costs in developing new configurations;
•ability or delays in obtaining regulatory approval;
•customers delaying purchase decisions in anticipation of new configurations;
•customer confusion and extended evaluation and negotiation time;
•educating our sales, marketing, and consulting personnel to work with new configurations;
•competition from earlier and more established entrants;
•market acceptance of earlier configurations; and
•the accuracy of assumptions about the nature of customer demand.
If we are unable to successfully introduce, market, and sell other configurations of our powerhouses in a timely and cost‑effective manner, and properly position and/or price our products, our business, results of operations, or financial position could be materially impacted.
We and our customers operate in a politically sensitive environment, and negative public and political perceptions of nuclear energy and radioactive materials could materially and adversely affect us, our customers, and the markets in which we operate.
Successful execution of our business model is dependent upon public support for nuclear power, in general, in the United States and other countries. The risks associated with uses of radioactive materials in our nuclear facilities and the public perception of those risks can affect our business. Opposition by third parties can delay or prevent the licensing and construction of new nuclear facilities and in some cases can limit the operation of nuclear facilities. Adverse public reaction to developments in the use of nuclear power could directly affect our business and indirectly affect our customers’ businesses. In addition, journalists, trade press, and other third parties, potentially including one or more of the agencies with regulatory jurisdiction over us, may publish statements that negatively affect the public or political perception of us. We may also face adverse public or political perception due to a variety of environmental and social factors, including as relevant standards continue to evolve. Stakeholder and policymaker expectations on such matters are not uniform, and any failure to successfully navigate such expectations may result in various adverse impacts. Adverse public opinion or political perceptions could result in increased regulatory requirements and costs or increase the likelihood that our operations are subject to liabilities or adverse claims. In the past, adverse public reaction, increased regulatory scrutiny and related litigation contributed to extended licensing and construction periods for new nuclear power plants, sometimes delaying construction schedules by decades or more, or even shutting down operations at already‑constructed nuclear power facilities.
Incidents involving nuclear energy facilities, including accidents, terrorist acts or other high profile events involving radioactive materials, could materially and adversely affect the public perception of the safety of nuclear energy, and such adverse effects could potentially decrease demand for nuclear energy, increase regulatory requirements and costs, or result in liability or claims that could materially and adversely affect our business.
Successful execution of our business model is dependent upon public support for nuclear power, in general, in the United States and other countries. Any significant incident affecting a nuclear energy facility could materially damage public perception of nuclear power. In the past, adverse public reaction to such incidents (for example, incidents involving the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, and incidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl) led to increased public and regulatory scrutiny, which contributed to extended licensing and construction periods for new nuclear power plants, sometimes delaying construction schedules by decades or more or even shutting down operations at already‑constructed nuclear power facilities. Such an incident could also impact customer demand for heat, electricity, or fuel derived from nuclear energy. Any of these effects could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our use of technologies and systems that use artificial intelligence or large language models, given the dynamic state of such technologies, may cause inadvertent or unexpected impacts that may harm our business.
Like many companies, we are using and looking for more opportunities to use artificial intelligence technologies, including those that leverage large language models, in an effort to reduce costs and run our business efficiently. In particular, we are evaluating opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence operations in our research & development efforts, as well as in operational areas like procurement and contract management. Some of these technologies are nascent, and their reliability and effectiveness is unproven. As a result, the resources and time we expend to use such systems may ultimately fail to create efficiencies and may even make us less efficient. Additionally, these systems may hallucinate or generate incorrect outputs that may negatively impact our business or operations in unexpected ways if we fail to identify and screen out such errors, particularly if we are using such technologies in our research and development efforts (for example, if we use such technologies to help us evaluate design parameters).
Additionally, the legal and regulatory framework that applies to the use of artificial intelligence technologies is rapidly evolving. Such evolving laws and regulations may prevent us from being able to effectively use such technologies, may impact the costs of using such technologies, may cause operational costs if we need to change processes that we implement to use such technologies, or may subject us to legal or regulatory liabilities.
Our ability to protect our patents and other intellectual property rights may be challenged and is not guaranteed. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our business and competitive position may be harmed.
We may not be able to prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position. We rely upon a combination of the intellectual property protections afforded by patents, trademarks/service marks, copyrights and trade secret laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, as well as commercial agreements, such as confidentiality agreements, assignment agreements, and license agreements to establish, maintain and enforce rights associated with our powerhouses and related proprietary technologies. Given that the underlying technology is many decades old, we primarily use patents to help ensure that others cannot preclude us from using certain technologies or key design aspects.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain and enforce patent protection for our powerhouses and related technologies, but our patent applications may not result in issued patents, given the complexity of questions around patentability and the large number of patents and patent applications in related fields. Failing to obtain patent protection may have a material adverse effect on our ability to prevent others from commercially exploiting products similar to ours.
Even if issued, our patents may be contested, challenged, circumvented, invalidated, or limited in scope in the future. The rights granted under any issued patents may not provide us with meaningful protection or competitive advantages, and some foreign countries provide significantly less effective patent enforcement as compared to the United States. In addition, the claims of any patents that issue from our patent applications may be narrowed in scope during prosecution, challenged as invalid, or may simply not be broad enough to prevent others from developing technologies that are similar or that achieve results similar to ours (for example if competitors can “design around” our patents).
Additionally, some of our technology has been developed with funding from the United States Department of Energy. Inventions conceived or first actually reduced to practice under agreements with the Department of Energy (“subject inventions”) grant the United States Government (“USG”) certain rights and impose specific obligations on our ability to practice and license these inventions. Specifically, the USG obtains a worldwide, nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable, paid‑up license to practice or have the subject invention practiced for or on behalf of the USG and we are generally obligated to ensure that any products embodying or produced through the use of any subject invention will be manufactured substantially in the United States unless the USG determines that it is not commercially feasible to do so. Failure to abide by the United States competitiveness requirements for domestic manufacture of certain subject inventions may also cause us to forfeit and assign all rights to certain inventions to the United States Department of Energy. Another right the USG has in subject inventions ‑ although it has never exercised such a right ‑ is march‑in rights whereby the USG may require us to license a patent on reasonable terms under very limited circumstances, such as if we or a licensee are not commercializing the invention or if there is a violation of the domestic manufacturing requirement in 35 U.S.C.
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We also rely upon unpatented trade secret protection, unpatented know‑how and continuing technological innovation to develop and help maintain our business and competitive position. We may not be able to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our trade secrets, know‑how, or information that we consider to be confidential, by the parties to these agreements, despite the existence generally of confidentiality provisions and other contractual restrictions. If any of the suppliers, subcontractors, venture partners, employees, and consultants, and other third parties who are parties to these agreements breach or violate the terms of any of these agreements, we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach or violation, and we could lose our trade secrets as a result. It is also possible that our trade secrets, know‑how or other proprietary information could be obtained by third parties as a result of breaches of our physical or electronic security systems. Even where remedies are available, enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated our trade secrets is expensive and time consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Courts outside the United States are sometimes less willing to protect trade secrets. Additionally, our trade secrets could become known or be independently discovered by our competitors. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor or other third party, we would have no right to prevent them, or those to whom they communicate, from using that technology or information to compete with us.
We do not have worldwide patent rights for our powerhouses and related proprietary technologies because there is no such thing as a worldwide patent or “international patent rights.” We also do not have worldwide trademark protection for our brand for similar reasons. Accordingly, we may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights in certain jurisdictions and their legal systems. Our competitors may operate in countries where we do not have patent protection and can freely use our technologies and discoveries in such countries to the extent such technologies and discoveries are publicly known or disclosed in countries where we do have patent protection.
We may need to defend ourselves against intellectual property infringement claims, which may be time‑consuming and could cause us to incur substantial fees and costs.
Companies, organizations or individuals, including our existing and future competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks/service marks or other intellectual property rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to develop our intellectual property and make, use, develop, import, offer to sell or sell the power and heat generated by our powerhouses and related technology, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our company. From time to time, we may receive inquiries from holders of patents or trademarks/service marks inquiring whether we are infringing their proprietary rights. Companies, organizations or individuals, including our existing and future competitors, may also seek court declarations that they do not infringe our intellectual property rights. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights similar to our technology may bring proceedings alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise asserting their rights and seeking licenses. In addition, if we are determined to have infringed a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do among other things, one or more of the following: (i) cease making, using, offering to sell, selling or importing our powerhouses or the power and heat generated by our powerhouses that incorporate the challenged intellectual property; (ii) pay substantial damages; (iii) pay for and obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all; or (iv) redesign part or all of our technology. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology, our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation, or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management’s focus and attention.
We also anticipate licensing patents and other intellectual property from third parties, and we may face claims that the use of this intellectual property infringes the rights of other third parties. Our rights to indemnification or damages under our license contracts may be unavailable or insufficient to cover our costs and losses, depending on our use of the technology, whether we choose to retain control over conduct of the litigation, and other factors.
Additionally, our confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, and contractors generally provide that inventions conceived by the party in the course of rendering services to us will be our exclusive intellectual property. Those agreements may not be honored and obligations to assign intellectual property may be challenged or breached. Moreover, there may be some circumstances where we are unable to negotiate for such ownership rights or where others misappropriate those rights.
We may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators, or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property as an owner, a joint owner, a licensee, an inventor, or a co‑inventor. In the latter two cases, the failure to name the proper inventors on a patent application can result in the patents issuing thereon being unenforceable. Inventorship disputes may arise from conflicting views regarding the contributions of different individuals named as inventors, the effects of foreign laws where foreign nationals are involved in the development of the subject matter of the patent, conflicting obligations of third parties involved in developing our patented technology or as a result of questions regarding co‑ownership of potential joint inventions.
Litigation may be necessary to resolve these and other claims challenging inventorship and ownership. Alternatively, or additionally, we may enter into agreements to clarify the scope of our rights in such intellectual property. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose exclusive ownership of, or right to use or license valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.
If we or our third-party providers fail to protect confidential information and experience data security incidents, we may experience adverse effects, including regulatory enforcement consequences, on our business and results of operations.
In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store, and transmit confidential information (including but not limited to intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information). We process this information on our own and third-party computer systems, hardware, software, technology, infrastructure and online sited and networks (collectively, “IT Systems”). It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality, availability and integrity of such confidential information. While we own some of these IT Systems, we also have outsourced elements of our operations to third parties, and as a result we manage a number of third‑party contractors who may provide IT Systems or otherwise have access to our confidential information. Regarding actual powerhouse deployments, we are subject to the NRC’s regulations in this area, the violation of which could carry regulatory enforcement action.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT Systems and those of our contractors and consultants are potentially vulnerable to breakdown or other damage or interruption from service interruptions, system malfunctions, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Our IT Systems and those of our contractors and consultants also face numerous and evolving cybersecurity risks from diverse threats, such as security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, contractors, consultants, business partners, and/or other third parties, or from cyber‑attacks by malicious third parties, state-sponsored organizations, opportunistic hackers and hacktivists, as well as through diverse attack vectors, including the deployment of harmful malware, ransomware, denial‑of‑service attacks, social engineering, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures, as well as security breaches from inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees, contractors, consultants, business partners and other means to affect service reliability and threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Cyberattacks are expected to accelerate on a global basis in frequency and magnitude as threat actors are becoming increasingly sophisticated in using techniques and tools – including artificial intelligence – that circumvent security controls, evade detection and remove forensic evidence. As a result, we may be unable to detect, investigate, remediate or recover from future attacks or incidents, or to avoid a material adverse impact to our IT Systems, confidential information or business. There can also be no assurance that our cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including our policies, controls or procedures, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective in protecting our IT Systems and confidential information. Furthermore, given the nature of complex systems, software and services like ours, and the scanning tools that we deploy across our networks and products, we regularly identify and track security vulnerabilities. We are unable to comprehensively apply patches or confirm that measures are in place to mitigate all such vulnerabilities, or that patches will be applied before vulnerabilities are exploited by a threat actor.
To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or IT Systems, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and reputational damage and the further development and commercialization of our products could be delayed.
Furthermore, significant disruptions of our internal IT Systems or security breaches could result in the loss, misappropriation, and/or unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of, or the prevention of access to, confidential information (including, but not limited to, intellectual property, proprietary business information, export‑controlled information, and personal information), which could result in financial, legal, business, and reputational harm to us. Any such event that leads to unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of personal information, including personal information related to our employees, could harm our reputation directly, compel us to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, result in legal claims or proceedings (including class actions), subject us to mandatory corrective action, and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of personal information, which could result in significant legal and financial exposure and reputational damage that could potentially have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, some of our systems may be considered to be critical infrastructure systems and so we may have additional obligations in response to a cybersecurity attack. We cannot guarantee that any costs and liabilities incurred in relation to an attack or incident will be covered by our existing insurance policies or that applicable insurance will be available to us in the future on economically reasonable terms or at all.
Any actual or perceived failure to comply with new or existing laws, regulations and other requirements relating to the privacy, security and processing of personal information could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
In connection with running our business, we process information that relates to individuals, including from our employees and business contacts. We are therefore subject to certain laws and regulations relating to the privacy, security and handling of personal information. The application and interpretation of such requirements are constantly evolving and are subject to change, creating a complex compliance environment. In some cases, these requirements may be either unclear in their interpretation and application or they may have inconsistent or conflicting requirements with each other. Further, there has been a substantial increase in legislative activity and regulatory focus on data privacy and security in the United States, including in relation to cybersecurity incidents.
It is possible that new laws and regulations, or amendments to or changes in interpretations of existing laws and regulations, may require us to incur significant costs, implement new processes, or change our handling of information and business operations, which could ultimately hinder our ability to grow our business. In addition, any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with laws, regulations and other requirements relating to the privacy, security and handling of information could result in legal claims or proceedings (including class actions), regulatory investigations or enforcement actions. We could incur significant costs in investigating and defending such claims and, if found liable, pay significant damages or fines or be required to make changes to our business. These proceedings and any subsequent adverse outcomes may subject us to significant negative publicity and an erosion of trust. If any of these events were to occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Macroeconomic Risks Relating to Our Business
We may experience a disproportionately larger impact from inflation and rising costs.
Inflation has resulted in, and may continue to result in, higher interest rates and capital costs, higher shipping costs, higher material costs, supply shortages, increased costs of labor and other similar effects. Although the impact of material cost, labor, or other inflationary or economically driven factors will impact the entire nuclear and energy transition industry (including renewable sources of electricity, like solar and wind), the relative impact will not be the same across the industry, and the particular effects within the industry will depend on a number of factors, including material use, technology, design, structure of supply agreements, project management and others. Such inflation could significantly affect the competitiveness of our technology and our ability to construct and operate our fuel fabrication facilities, fuel recycling facilities, and powerhouses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Uncertain global macroeconomic and political conditions could materially adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our results of operations could be materially affected by economic and political conditions in the United States and internationally, including inflation, deflation, fluctuations in interest rates, fluctuations in exchange rates, availability of capital, energy and commodity prices, trade laws and the effects of governmental initiatives to manage economic conditions.
Potential customers may delay or decrease spending on our powerhouses and related services as their business and budgets are impacted by economic conditions. The inability of potential customers to pay us for our powerhouses and related services may adversely affect our earnings and cash flows.
The ongoing military conflict in Ukraine has escalated tensions between the United States, and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) allies on one hand, and Russia on the other. The United States and other NATO member states, as well as some non‑member states, have imposed sanctions against Russia and certain Russian banks, enterprises, and individuals. Now that there are sanctions on Russian companies supplying HALEU, sourcing HALEU presents a potential supply chain risk. These circumstances have impacted the commercial availability of HALEU and increasing the cost of uranium enrichment services to produce HALEU and could potentially increase the adverse impact on the price of enrichment services and on our future operations.
Further, the ongoing military conflict resulting sanctions and related countermeasures by NATO states, the United States, and other countries have led to, and are likely to lead to additional market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit, and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions for equipment. These disruptions could have an adverse impact on our operations and financial performance. Global supply chain disruptions have increasingly affected both the availability and cost of materials, component manufacturing and deliveries. Disruptions such as military conflicts, sanctions, and other countermeasures between nations, as well as any escalation in tension between nations, may result in delays in equipment deliveries and cost escalations that could adversely affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our cost estimates are highly sensitive to broader economic factors, and our ability to control or manage our costs may be limited.
Capital and operating costs for the deployment of any energy infrastructure, and especially for Oklo’s first‑of‑a‑kind powerhouses, are difficult to project, inherently variable and are subject to significant change based on a variety of factors including site specific factors, customer off‑take requirements, regulatory oversight, operating agreements, supply chain availability, supply chain availability effects on reactor and power plant performance, inflation and other factors. Opportunities for cost reductions with subsequent deployments are similarly uncertain. The cost estimates may increase significantly through design maturity, when accounting for supply chain availability, fabrication costs, as we progress through the regulatory process, or as a result of other factors, including unexpected cost increases that particularly affect our powerhouses. To the extent cost reductions are not achieved within the expected timeframe or magnitude, powerhouses, like the Aurora, may not be cost competitive with alternative technologies, which may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and could harm our reputation.
The direct and indirect impact on us and our value chain from severe weather and other effects of climate change could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
Our operations and properties, and those of our value chain, may in the future be adversely impacted by flooding, wildfires, high winds, drought, and other natural disasters and catastrophic events. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of certain such events, as well as contribute to chronic changes (such as in weather patterns or water levels) that may result in various adverse impacts. These events can force us or our value chain to suspend operations at impacted properties and may result in significant damage to such properties. Even if these events do not directly impact us or our value chain, they may indirectly impact us and our value chain through increased insurance, energy, or other costs. In addition, although the ongoing transition to non‑carbon‑based energy is creating significant opportunities for us and parts of our value chain, the transition also presents certain risks, including macroeconomic risks related to higher energy costs and energy shortages, among other things. These direct and indirect impacts from climate change could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, supply chain and cash flows.
The occurrence of adverse events, cancellations of significant projects, delays in project timelines, adjustments in cost structures, and other negative developments announced by competitors could have an impact on our operations, financial performance, and future prospects.
The occurrence of newsworthy events in the nuclear industry as a whole, including, but not limited to the delay of major projects, inflated cost adjustments, fluctuations in product pricing strategies, cancellations of public offerings, customer withdrawals, or disruptions in supply chain may adversely affect our business in several ways, including:
•Negative news or events associated with industry peers may lead to decreased investor confidence in the sector, which could impact the broader stock market performance of companies operating within the industry, including us. This could result in fluctuations or declines in our stock price irrespective of our internal performance.
•Adverse events in competitor firms may alter the competitive landscape, affecting market share dynamics, pricing strategies, and overall positioning within the industry. This could impact our ability to retain or expand our market presence.
•Changes in market dynamics influenced by competitors’ actions, such as inflated cost adjustments or potential cancellations, could have ripple effects on our financial stability and profitability, influencing our financial metrics and potentially impacting investor perceptions.
There is no guarantee that we will be insulated from the adverse effects of the foregoing events and the occurrence of any of these events could negatively impact our business operations and financial condition.
If the market for technologies using artificial intelligence contracts or does not grow at the rate some parties expect, our customers or prospective customers may reduce their projected needs for power and/or heat, which may impact the market for our offerings.
Some of our customers and prospective customers operate or otherwise rely on data centers and other similar infrastructure that can support, among other things, the growing demand for technologies that use artificial intelligence. Their business plans, including their construction of or expansion of infrastructure facilities that they intend to power or heat using our offerings, may rely in part on assumptions around the growth of artificial intelligence technologies, which may prove to be unwarranted. If these assumptions prove incorrect, it may impact the business plans of these customers or prospective customers, which may reduce their need for our products or services, and may even lead to them canceling or renegotiating contracts with us.
Such market disruptions could adversely affect our business plans, operating results, supply chain and cash flows.
Risks Relating to Compliance with Law, Government Regulation and Litigation
The nature of our business requires us to interact with various governmental entities, making us subject to the policies, priorities, regulations, mandates, and funding levels of such governmental entities and we may be negatively or positively impacted by any change thereto.
We are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations relating to various aspects of our business, including with respect to use and possession of radioactive materials; design, manufacture, operations, marketing, and export of nuclear technologies; employment and labor; tax; data security of the operational and information technology we use; health and safety; zoning and environmental issues. Laws and regulations at the foreign, federal, state, and local levels may change and may be interpreted in different ways, especially in relation to new and emerging industries, and we cannot always reasonably predict the impact from, or the ultimate cost of compliance with, current or future regulatory or administrative changes. We cannot guarantee that our measures to monitor these developments and the time and resources we spent to comply with these laws, regulations, and guidelines will be satisfactory to regulators or other third parties, such as our customers, who may also be subject to extensive governmental regulation.
We may need to expend substantial efforts to comply with any new and changing relevant and applicable laws and regulations, which may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention. Moreover, changes in law, the imposition of new or additional regulations or the enactment of any new or more stringent legislation that impacts our business could require us to change the way we operate and could have a material adverse effect on our sales, profitability, cash flows, and financial condition, and lead to regulatory delays that could impact our ability to obtain licenses, certificates, authorizations, permits, certifications from regulatory agencies, and/or any other type of regulatory approval.
Failure to comply with these laws may result in civil and criminal penalties or private lawsuits, or the suspension or revocation of those regulatory approvals, which would prevent us from operating our business. With respect to our powerhouses, fuel fabrication and fuel recycling, we require regulatory approval from the NRC to construct and operate the facilities, and any additional local and state permitting requirements, as needed. Failure to comply with these laws, obtain the required regulatory approvals, or receive exemptions from such regulations, as needed, could result in regulatory enforcement, violations, fines, penalties, or the inability to operate our commercial deployments. Any delays in regulatory approvals could also adversely affect our ability to meet construction and operation timelines and thereby affect our financial performance.
Our powerhouses, fuel fabrication, and fuel recycling activities are subject to regulations in all jurisdictions related to nuclear safety, environmental, and financial qualification, among other requirements. Regulatory approvals, such as construction permits and operating licenses issued by the NRC and DOE, are necessary for us to construct and operate our powerhouses, fuel fabrication and fuel recycling facilities. Our plans to construct and operate these facilities relies on timely receipt of such regulatory approvals. Such regulatory approval processes may be subject to change, can be technically challenging to address, may result in the imposition of conditions that impact the financial viability of our facilities, and may also provide opportunities for third parties to lodge objections or file petitions against the licensing of our facilities.
The U.S. government’s budget deficit and the national debt, as well as any inability of the U.S. government to complete its budget or appropriations process for any government fiscal year could have an adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The U.S. government’s budget deficit and the national debt, as well as any inability of the U.S. government to complete its budget process for any government fiscal year and consequently having to shut down or operate on funding levels equivalent to its prior fiscal year pursuant to a “continuing resolution,” could have an adverse direct or indirect impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Considerable uncertainty exists regarding how future budget and program decisions will unfold, including the energy spending priorities of the U.S. government, what challenges budget reductions will present for the energy industry and whether annual appropriations bills for all agencies will be enacted by the U.S. government in a given fiscal year and thereafter due to many factors, including but not limited to, changes in the political environment, including before or after a change to the leadership within the government administration, and any resulting uncertainty or changes in policy or priorities and resultant funding. The U.S. government’s budget deficit and the national debt could have an adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in a number of ways, including the following:
•The U.S. government could reduce or delay its spending on, reprioritize its spending away from, or decline to provide funding for the government programs in which we participate;
•U.S. government spending could be impacted by alternate arrangements to sequestration, which increases the uncertainty as to U.S. government spending priorities and levels; and
•We may experience declines in revenue, profitability, and cash flows as a result of reduced or delayed orders or payments or other factors caused by economic difficulties of our customers and prospective customers, including U.S. federal, state, and local governments.
These factors may become exacerbated by elevated interest rates and overall interest rate volatility as more U.S. government spending must be appropriated to servicing the national debt. Furthermore, we believe continued budget pressures could have serious negative consequences for the nuclear energy industry and the customers, employees, suppliers, investors, and communities that rely on companies in the nuclear energy industry. Budget and program decisions made in this environment would have long‑term implications for us and the entire nuclear energy industry.
Our powerhouses, recycling facilities and fuel fabrication facilities will be highly regulated by the U.S. government, including the NRC and potentially the DOE, as well as foreign, state, and local governments. We have not received any approval or licensing to date or submitted our updated custom combined license application (“COLA”) to the NRC, and approval or licensing of these designs or facilities, and the timing of such approval or licensing, if any, is not guaranteed. Our planned international expansion will subject us to additional U.S. and foreign regulations.
Our commercial powerhouses, including our planned plants in Idaho and Ohio, commercial recycling facilities, and commercial fuel fabrication facilities will be subject to NRC licensing and approvals, from initial approval or licensing through construction and operations and into decommissioning. They may also be highly regulated by other U.S. federal and state level governmental authorities and regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions in which we may establish operations. Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the “Atomic Energy Act”) and the implementing NRC regulations, members of the public, state, or tribal governments may request a public hearing opposing the issuance of any NRC permit or license, or challenging portions of the license or permit application or of the NRC’s review. Certain NRC actions also include provision for a mandatory administrative hearing regardless of whether any contentions are submitted in conjunction with the action. These hearing processes may delay or prevent the issuance of required regulatory approvals (i.e., permits or licenses) for our powerhouses, recycling facilities, and fuel fabrication facilities. Additionally, any facilities, commercial or otherwise, that may be located on DOE land may be subject to additional oversight from the DOE. Our planned fuel facility in Idaho will require oversight from the DOE and will require approvals prior to construction and operation. Any deployments that require both NRC and DOE oversight might introduce additional uncertainties and complexities. Additionally, state, or other local jurisdictions may have or could elect to develop regulations specific to the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of commercial nuclear facilities or the transportation of radiological materials that could impact our deployment timelines and business model. Our planned international expansion will increase our exposure to U.S. export control laws as well as laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. Exports to other countries may require cooperation from the United States or other governments and may result in shortages and delays if not accomplished within assumed timelines or costs. Additionally, we may require U.S. approvals in order to import certain materials and components that may be predominantly produced outside of the United States.
We must obtain governmental licenses to transport, possess, and use radioactive materials, including isotopes of uranium, in our powerhouses, fuel facility, and recycling facility operations. These are generally granted as part of operations licensing, but failure to obtain or maintain, or delays in obtaining, such licenses could impact our ability to generate electricity and/or heat for our customers and have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Notwithstanding our custom COLA to the NRC or other actions to date, no powerhouse in the Aurora product family has been licensed or approved by the NRC or any other regulatory body. Additionally, no commercial nuclear reactor that is not water cooled is currently operating in the U.S. under an NRC‑issued license, and no advanced fission technology has been approved for commercial operation by the NRC. The NRC has also not yet established an oversight program for advanced reactors and therefore it is unclear what level and scope oversight the NRC may choose to implement during power operations. The implementation of an NRC oversight program could substantially affect our operation of our commercial facilities.
Related to operations, the NRC has the authority to issue notices of violation for violations of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, executing the Atomic Energy Act, NRC’s regulations and conditions of licenses, certificates of compliance, and orders. The NRC has authority to impose civil penalties (the maximum amount of which is adjusted annually to account for inflation) or additional requirements and to order cessation of operations for violations of these requirements.
Penalties under the NRC regulations and applicable agency guidelines could include substantial fines, imposition of additional requirements, or withdrawal or suspension of licenses or certificates and criminal penalties. Any penalties imposed on us could adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity.
Legacy Oklo started working with the NRC to pilot a COLA application with a new structure in 2018 and formally submitted a COLA in 2020. The COLA was partially reviewed by the NRC and denied without prejudice in 2022, with the NRC identifying additional information it required. While we have been actively working to address technical, policy, and programmatic matters ahead of the submission of our updated COLA, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet our expected timeline or any timeline for which the NRC will accept our COLA for review or subsequently approve our COLA.
Our planned rapid deployment includes the planned use of a reference and subsequent COLA approach, or R‑COLA and S‑COLA, where NRC safety decisions from the R‑COLA are incorporated by reference or copied into the staff evaluation for the S‑COLA. This is designed to enable review efficiencies for subsequent COLAs. However, this approach has not yet been used to review COLAs for nuclear reactors that are not water‑cooled or for custom COLAs; accordingly, whether this approach will result in the anticipated review efficiencies is still unclear.
If the NRC disagrees with our licensing approach, the technical bases supporting the nuclear safety and environmental impact evaluations, or finds policy issues associated with the COLA, the initial and subsequent COLA processes could take longer than currently expected, or a license may not be granted at all, which could materially and adversely affect our business. Further, the NRC could impose conditions in a license that are not acceptable to us or our customers, which could materially and adversely affect our business. Any delays, conditions or unexpected requirements may increase costs for us or our customers and may result in uncertainty regarding the ability to deploy our technology in a predictable way, which may adversely impact our competitiveness.
The existing NRC framework has not been applied to license a nuclear fuel recycling facility for commercial use, and there is no guarantee that the NRC will support the development of our proposed nuclear fuel recycling facility on the timeline we anticipate or at all.
To our knowledge, the NRC has never licensed a commercial nuclear fuel recycling facility. As such, the existing NRC regulatory framework has not been applied to license a nuclear fuel recycling facility for commercial use. There is no guarantee that the NRC will support the development of our proposed nuclear fuel recycling facility on the timeline we anticipate or at all.
Unresolved spent nuclear fuel storage and disposal policy issues and associated costs could have a significant negative impact on our plans to recycle spent fuel as a potential fuel source for our powerhouses. Additionally, U.S. policy related to storage and disposal of used fuel from our power plant and/or negative customer perception of risks relating to these policies could have a significant negative impact on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
During the licensing process, a nuclear power plant operator must indicate how it will decommission its power plant and must have a “standard agreement” with the DOE related to the storage of the fuel waste created during its operating life. Therefore, although we expect to use existing used nuclear fuel waste as well as recycling our own used fuel for decades into the future, the requirement for the first-of-a-kind facility to establish the disposal of fuel may create challenges related to timeline and optimal use of the fuel asset.
Specifically, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 requires the DOE to provide for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel (“SNF”) and associated high‑level nuclear waste (“HLW”). In 1987, Congress amended the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to identify Yucca Mountain, in Nevada, as the only site that the DOE could consider for a permanent repository. The DOE has since failed to pursue the licensing of Yucca Mountain. There is a potential in the future that operators will have to bear the costs of developing and maintaining these spent fuel storage facilities.
As such, the establishment of a national repository for the storage and/or permanent disposal of SNF, such as the one previously considered at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the timing of such a facility’s opening and the ability of such a facility to accept waste from our powerhouses, and any related regulatory action, could impact the costs associated with our powerhouses’ storage and/or disposal of SNF/HLW. Moreover, an inability to utilize SNF for the purpose of developing fuel for the powerhouse, either due to policy issues or technical limitations, could also impact the costs associated with the powerhouse. These issues could be material to our operations if potential customers view waste disposal as problematic, detrimental or a negative factor when considering purchasing power produced by our reactors.
Our operations and business plans could be significantly impacted by changes in federal, state, and local government policies and priorities.
The current environment of bipartisan political support of advanced nuclear power technologies at the U.S. federal level could change. Changes in support, in policies, or in priorities by the legislative or executive branch could have impacts on the leadership at the NRC, the DOE, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or any other federal agency that affects policy related to nuclear power. Each of these agencies themselves may experience changes in policies and priorities that impact our operations and business plans. Federal, state, and local policies and priorities could affect regulatory oversight, supply chain availability, tax and other financial incentives or costs, availability of financing, labor force initiatives or restrictions, and many other possible areas.
The NRC also has the authority to issue new regulatory requirements or to change existing requirements. Changes to the regulatory requirements could require us to incur additional expenses to retrofit any of our nuclear facilities under the NRC’s jurisdiction to bring them into compliance or otherwise adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
DOE regulations and additional applicable Idaho state laws and regulations might also apply to the Aurora powerhouse we plan to site at INL. This could introduce substantial complications and time delays for deployment. Currently, the Company has been granted a site use permit and provisional acceptance for a specific location to site the Aurora powerhouse at INL; the provisional acceptance clearly states that there is still significant uncertainty for the final site location for the Aurora at INL, which could impact our deployment timelines. Changes in leadership and vision for INL could result in the DOE deprioritizing siting the Aurora powerhouse, resulting in significant time delays for deployment. Our first‑of‑a‑kind Aurora powerhouse at INL is subject to certain regulations, contracts, permits, and approvals by the DOE and the state of Idaho. Site characterization and non‑safety related site preparation and construction requires National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) review by the DOE for the Aurora powerhouse at INL. The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency have existing regulations, relationships, and agreements with the DOE – Idaho with which we must comply, thus these or other Federal agencies may be consulted during the NEPA review process.
Additionally, local and tribal authorities could elect to interfere with the Aurora powerhouse deployment in Idaho. The Aurora powerhouse may be the first commercially owned and operated nuclear power plant in the state of Idaho. The state of Idaho or other local jurisdictions could elect to develop regulations specific to the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of commercial nuclear power plants or the transportation of radiological materials that could impact the deployment timeline of our first‑of‑a‑kind Aurora powerhouse. The DOE in Idaho has standing agreements and relationships with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Idaho Department of Emergency Management. Changes in these agreements could also impact the deployment timeline.
Portions of the Ohio sites that Oklo is investigating for deployment are currently owned by the DOE and are under decommissioning and decontamination for transfer to the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative. Similar to the INL site, the deployment timeline is impacted by the DOE regulations, processes, approvals, and requirements. The state of Ohio or local authorities could elect to change their processes for regulations of nuclear materials or commercial nuclear power. Additionally, certain aspects of our current fuels research and development activity take place within INL. These activities are subject to DOE regulation, i.e., authorization, and contractual requirements. DOE may place additional requirements or restrictions on us which could adversely affect our business.
Additionally, changes in federal, state, or local government policies and priorities can impact our nuclear fuel operations. These could include changes in interpretations of regulatory requirements, increased inspection or enforcement activities, changes in budgetary priorities, changes in tax laws and regulations and other government actions or inaction. Any of these local, state, and federal agencies may have the authority to impose civil penalties and additional requirements, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Changes in governmental agency budgets as well as staffing shortages at national laboratories and other governmental agencies may lengthen our estimated timelines for regulatory approval and construction.
Certain of our powerhouses, fuel fabrication, and recycling facilities are dependent upon collaborations with national laboratories and/or various regulatory approvals. Government agency budgets and staffing are driven by the priorities of leadership at federal agencies as well as policy makers. Changes in governmental agency budgets, personnel, and any resulting staffing shortages may delay our powerhouses, fuel fabrication, and recycling facilities and delay or prevent the issuance of required regulatory approvals (e.g., permits or licenses) for our nuclear facilities.
Operating a nuclear power plant in an unusual environment whether due to unusual siting or in an industrial application has additional risks and costs compared to conventional electric power and heat applications.
We focused on a technology with inherent safety characteristics and have designed powerhouses such that we anticipate being able to serve customers in unusual environments, which we believe is a key gap in current United States energy infrastructure. These unusual environments may include areas that are far away from typical urban infrastructure or resources, permafrost, with higher seismic activity, in closer proximity to population centers, etc. Additionally, remote environments are often in harsh climates and can be difficult to transport to and travel to, when required during operations. As such, deployments in unusual environments could bear additional risks and costs that may exceed our business projections or have surprising or unpredicted impacts on costs and schedules for deployment and/or operation and/or maintenance of our powerhouses, including costs associated with the licensing process, configuration control of the plant, minimum operating staff, training, security infrastructure, radiation protection, government reporting, and nuclear insurance, all of which may be cost prohibitive or reduce the competitiveness of technology.
We also currently have several government awards involving cost‑share related to recycling R&D work, which could be affected by our failure to comply with certain laws and regulations.
As a recipient of federal funds under grants and cooperative agreements, in addition to our ordinary contractual obligations, we must comply with various statutes and regulations applicable to entities that perform awards in support of government entities. Many of these additional obligations are contained in the regulations in 2 CFR Part 200 as amended by 2 CFR Part 910, which regulate the formation, administration, and performance of non‑procurement federal financial assistance awards (e.g., grants and cooperative agreements). We must also comply with various national policy requirements that are prescribed by statute, Executive Order, policy guidance issued by the Executive Office of the President, or other regulations.
Our performance under our U.S. government awards and our compliance with the terms of those awards and applicable laws and regulations are subject to periodic audit, review, and investigation by various agencies of the U.S. government, and the current environment has led to increased regulatory scrutiny and sanctions for non‑compliance by such agencies generally.
Compliance with these laws and regulations affects how we do business and may impose added costs on our business. Failure to comply, however, may lead to civil or criminal penalties, including whole or partial suspension or termination of our U.S. government awards, and/or suspension or debarment from contracting with federal agencies.
Our business is subject to stringent U.S. export control laws and regulations. Unfavorable changes in these laws and regulations or U.S. government licensing policies, our failure to secure timely U.S. government authorizations under these laws and regulations, or our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us and our ability to expand and thereby affect our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The inability to secure and maintain required export licenses or authorizations could negatively impact our ability to compete successfully or market our powerhouses outside the United States. For example, if we were unable to obtain or maintain licenses to export nuclear technology or certain hardware to a particular country, we would be effectively prohibited from exporting our powerhouses to or operating our powerhouses in that country, which would limit the number of customers to those in the United States and in countries where we are able to secure licenses (or where licenses are not required). Similarly, if export control laws and regulations prevent us from sharing certain export controlled information with suppliers we intend to use to operate our business or build or develop our powerhouses or other facilities, we may not be able to work with certain suppliers, which may impact our finances, business plans, and the competitiveness of our offerings.
Failure to comply with export control laws and regulations could expose us to civil or criminal penalties, fines, investigations, more onerous compliance requirements, loss of export privileges, debarment from government contracts or limitations on our ability to enter into contracts with the U.S. government. Any changes in export control regulations or U.S. government licensing policy, such as that necessary to implement U.S. government commitments to multilateral control regimes, may restrict our market size.
Our ability to rely on global supply chains for source components and/or raw materials may be impacted by tariffs, trade disputes, or other changes in trade policy or trade regulation.
We plan to rely on global supply chains to source components and materials essential for our business, including for our powerhouses and other facilities. The imposition of new or increased tariffs, trade restrictions, or other changes in trade policy by the United States or other countries could increase our costs of materials and components, require us to find alternative suppliers, or force adjustments to our pricing structure. These changes could reduce our profit margins, may impact our licenses or may require additional regulatory approval, or could otherwise disrupt our business operations.
In particular, recent global trade tensions and policy shifts have created an unpredictable environment for businesses operating across international borders. Changes in trade agreements, sanctions, export controls, and customs regulations may limit our ability to source materials from certain countries or entities, potentially forcing rapid and costly adjustments to our supply chain. Trade policies can change with limited notice, making long-term planning difficult and increasing operational costs.
While we attempt to mitigate these risks through diversification of our supplier base, inventory management strategies, and contractual protections, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. Any significant disruption to our supply chain resulting from tariffs or trade policy changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and ability to meet projected deadlines and milestones.
We may become involved in litigation that may materially adversely affect us.
From time to time, we may become involved in various legal proceedings relating to matters incidental to the ordinary course of our business, including intellectual property, commercial, product liability, employment, class action, whistleblower and other litigation and claims, and governmental and other regulatory investigations and proceedings. Such matters can be time‑consuming, divert management’s attention and resources from the operation of our business and cause us to incur significant expenses or liability or require us to change our business practices. Because of the potential risks, expenses, and uncertainties of litigation, from time to time, we may settle disputes, even where we believe that we have meritorious claims or defenses. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable, we cannot assure you that the results of any of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to laws and regulations governing the use, transportation, and disposal of toxic, hazardous and/or radioactive materials. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in substantial fines and/or enforcement actions.
Both in the United States and abroad, our operations will be subject to a variety of federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, management and disposal of hazardous, non‑hazardous, and radioactive materials and waste, and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. Additionally, we are responsible for decommissioning of facilities where we conduct, or previously conducted, commercial, NRC‑licensed, operations.
We may be liable if we fail to comply with federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Failing to comply with such laws and regulations, including failing to obtain any necessary permits, could result in substantial fines or enforcement actions. This might require us to stop or curtail operations or conduct or fund remedial or corrective measures, make additional investments into safety‑related improvements or perform other actions. The enactment of more stringent laws, regulations or permit requirements or other unanticipated events may arise in the future and adversely impact the market for our products, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We could incur substantial costs as a result of a violation of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.
We will seek to cover gaps in nuclear liability coverage in our contracts, but such coverage may not always be possible as an operator of nuclear reactors, and such liability could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We will seek to cover gaps in nuclear liability coverage in our contracts, but such coverage may not always be possible as an operator of nuclear reactors. The costs of defending a claim arising out of a nuclear incident or precautionary evacuation not otherwise covered by insurance or an indemnity, and any damages awarded as a result of such claim, could adversely affect our business prospects, financial conditions, results of operations and cash‑flows. Prospective future customers may also require that we comply with their own unique requirements relating to their compliance with policies, priorities, regulations, controls, and mandates, including provision of data and related assurance for environmental, social, and governance related standards or goals, and such compliance may add cost and timeline uncertainty or risk.
In the United States, nuclear liability law is codified at 42 U.S.C. 2210 (along with subsequent amendments, the “Price‑Anderson Act”). The Price‑Anderson Act and its implementing NRC regulations channel legal liability to certain licensees (such as operators of nuclear reactors) for third‑party offsite damages caused by a nuclear incident or a precautionary evacuation due to a possible or actual nuclear incident, and requires these licensees to maintain robust coverage that would protect against any such liability. Outside of the United States, international nuclear liability conventions and national nuclear liability laws legally channel liability for offsite nuclear damage to the nuclear reactor operator and require operators to maintain insurance up to the established liability limits. In all jurisdictions that subscribe to international nuclear liability principles (essentially, all countries with operating nuclear reactors and many with research reactors), operator liability for offsite nuclear damage is covered by mandatory insurance.
However, if we were to operate in a country that does not have a nuclear liability regime or one where the regime does not meet international nuclear liability standards, we could be financially liable for damages arising from nuclear incidents or evacuation, which could have an adverse effect on our business prospects, financial conditions, results of operations and cash‑flows. Further, there is no international nuclear liability regime that covers every jurisdiction and thus gaps exist where we could be liable for transboundary nuclear damage in countries that are not party to a nuclear liability treaty.
Neither the Price‑Anderson Act nor international nuclear liability conventions and national domestic nuclear liability laws cover on‑site loss or damage to property due to a nuclear incident. Rather, most nuclear regulators (including the NRC) require nuclear operators to maintain on‑site property damage insurance. If an incident resulting in onsite property damage is not otherwise covered by the mandatory insurance policy maintained at the facility, then we could be potentially liable for damages arising from such incident, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to Our Capital Resources
The amount of time and funding needed to bring our powerhouses to market and to develop our recycling and fuel fabrication facilities may exceed our expectations, and we may need to make significant adjustments to our business plan or significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the deployments of our facilities and/or some or all of our research and development programs and will need to seek additional capital.
Bringing our powerhouses to market as well as developing our recycling and fuel fabrication facilities will take a significant amount of time and funding. Any shortfall in research, development and other funding, any delay in achieving fuel development milestones, uncertainty in regulatory licensing timelines or adverse public reaction to developments in the use of nuclear power by special interest groups, community groups, and state and local government agencies leading to environmental litigation or other legal proceedings could result in significant delays and cost overruns and could adversely affect our ability to construct and operate our powerhouses, recycling facilities, or fuel fabrication facilities. At this stage, we cannot accurately predict the complete amount of funding or the time required to successfully construct and operate our powerhouses, recycling facilities, or fuel fabrication facilities. The actual cost and time required to construct and operate our powerhouses, recycling facilities, or fuel fabrication facilities or to bring our nuclear fuel to market at scale may vary significantly from our current forecasts depending on, among other things:
•the results of our research and product development efforts;
•changes in the focus and direction of our research and product development programs;
•competitive and technological advances;
•the cost of filing, prosecuting, defending, and enforcing claims with respect to patents;
•the regulatory approval process;
•the fuel recycling process;
•the fuel fabrication process;
•limitations and impediments to supply chains;
•adverse public reaction to the developments in the use of nuclear power;
•availability and cost of HALEU; and
•other costs associated with commercialization of these technologies.
Any material change to our assumptions or expectations with respect to our timeline and funding needs, or any material overruns or other unexpected increase in costs or delays, may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could harm our reputation.
In addition, we may need to make significant adjustments to our business plan or significantly delay, scale back or discontinue the deployments of our facilities, including our fuel fabrication facilities and fuel recycling facilities, and/or some or all of our research and development programs and will need to seek additional capital. Depending on our available capital resources, we may need to delay or discontinue expected near‑term expenditures, which could materially impact our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows by limiting our ability to pursue some of our other strategic objectives and/or reducing the resources available to further develop our design, sales, and manufacturing efforts.
In order to fulfill our business plan, we may require additional funding. Such funding may be dilutive to our investors, may result in a decline in the market price of your shares, and no assurances can be provided as to the availability or terms of any such funding. Any such funding and the associated terms will be highly dependent upon market conditions and the progress of our business at the time we seek such funding.
Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities or business strategies and we may be required to delay, scale back, or terminate some or all of our research and development programs, each of which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition. If we incur additional debt, the debt holders would have rights senior to holders of our Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Common Stock") to make claims on our assets, and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations, including our ability to pay dividends on our Common Stock, limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, repurchase our securities, make certain investments, and engage in certain merger, consolidation, or asset sale transactions. Furthermore, to the extent we raise additional capital by issuing additional equity securities, including under employee benefit plans, stockholders will experience dilution, the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share of common stock may be diminished, the market price of the shares of our Common Stock may decline, and the new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our Common Stock. Because our decision to issue securities in the future will depend on numerous considerations, including factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of any future issuances of debt or equity securities. As a result, our stockholders bear the risk of future issuances of debt or equity securities reducing the value of our Common Stock and diluting their interests.
Our business plan includes the use of investment tax credits, production tax credits or other forms of government funding to finance the commercial development of our powerhouses, and there is no guarantee that our projects will qualify for these credits or that government funding will be available in the future.
Our business plan depends in part on federal, state, and local government policies and incentives that support the development, financing, ownership, and operation of renewable energy generation projects.
These policies and incentives include investment tax credits, production tax credits, accelerated depreciation, renewable portfolio standards, feed‑in‑tariffs and similar programs, renewable energy credit mechanisms, and tax exemptions. If these policies and incentives are changed or eliminated, or we are unable to use them, it could result in a material adverse impact on our business prospects, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Changes in tax laws could adversely affect our business prospects and financial results.
We will be subject to taxes in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions. Due to economic and political conditions, tax rates in various jurisdictions, including the United States, may be subject to change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws or their interpretation. We may be subject to income tax audits by various tax authorities. An adverse resolution by one or more taxing authorities could have a material impact on our finances. Further, we may be unable to utilize any net operating losses in the event a change in control is determined to have occurred.
We expect to require additional future funding to support our operations and implementation of our growth plans.
Based on our recurring losses and management’s expectations that significant on-going operating expenditures will be necessary to successfully implement our business plan and develop our powerhouses, we expect to require additional funding to continue our operations through commercialization. If we are unable to raise additional funding, we may be forced to liquidate our assets and the values we receive for our assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our financial statements.
We do not expect to generate meaningful revenue unless and until we are able to finalize development of and commercialize the Aurora product line, and we may not be able to do so on our anticipated timetable, if at all. We expect our expenses and capital expenditures to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, including developing and advancing the Aurora product line, obtaining a COLA and completing our manufacturing preparation and trials. In addition, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Certain costs are not reasonably estimable at this time, and we may require additional funding and our forecasts anticipate certain customer‑sourced income that is not guaranteed.
Our primary source of funding to support our operations has been from capital raises. We have concluded that no substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for the one-year period following the issuance date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8.
Our actual operating results may differ significantly from our guidance. Any failure to successfully implement our operating strategy or the occurrence of any of the events or circumstances set forth in this “Risk Factors” section could result in our actual operating results being different from our guidance, and the differences may be adverse and material.
From time to time, we may release guidance in our shareholder letters, quarterly investor company update conference calls, quarterly company update presentations, or otherwise, regarding our future performance that represents our management’s estimates as of the date of release. This guidance, which includes forward‑looking statements, will be based on projections prepared by management. These projections are not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and neither our registered public accountants nor any other independent expert or outside party compiles or examines the projections. Accordingly, no such person expresses any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect to the projections.
Projections are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while presented with numerical specificity, are inherently subject to significant business, political, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, such as public health emergencies and the Russia‑Ukraine conflict, and are based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business decisions, some of which will change. The rapidly evolving market in which we operate may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and our future prospects, including our ability to plan for and model future growth. We intend to state possible outcomes as high and low ranges, which are intended to provide a sensitivity analysis as variables are changed. However, actual results will vary from our guidance, and the variations may be material. The principal reason that we release guidance is to provide a basis for our management to discuss our business outlook as of the date of release with analysts and investors. We do not accept any responsibility for any projections or reports published by any such persons. Investors are urged not to rely upon our guidance in making an investment decision regarding our Common Stock.
Any failure to successfully implement our operating strategy or the occurrence of any of the events or circumstances set forth in this “Risk Factors” section could result in our actual operating results being different from our guidance, and the differences may be adverse and material.
Our financial results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
We expect our revenue and operating results to vary from quarter to quarter. We may incur significant operating expenses during the start‑up and early stages of large contracts and may not be able to recognize corresponding revenue in that same quarter. We may also incur additional expenses when contracts are terminated or expire and are not renewed.
Additional factors that may cause our financial results to fluctuate from quarter to quarter include those addressed elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section and the following factors, among others:
•the terms of customer contracts that affect the timing of revenue recognition;
•variability in demand for our services and solutions;
•commencement, completion, or termination of contracts during any particular quarter;
•timing of shipments and product deliveries;
•timing of award or performance incentive fee notices;
•timing of significant bid and proposal costs;
•the costs of remediating unknown defects, errors, or performance problems of our product offerings;
•variable purchasing patterns under blanket purchase agreements and other indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts;
•restrictions on and delays related to the export of nuclear articles and services;
•costs related to government inquiries, regulatory investigations or interactions, or litigation;
•strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin‑offs and joint ventures;
•strategic investments or changes in business strategy;
•changes in the extent to which we use subcontractors;
•seasonal fluctuations in our staff utilization rates;
•changes in our effective tax rate, including changes in our judgment as to the necessity of the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets; and
•the length of sales cycles.
Reports published by analysts, including projections in those reports that differ from our actual results, could adversely affect the price and trading volume of our Common Stock.
Securities research analysts may establish and publish their own periodic projections for us. These projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results we actually achieve. Our share price may decline if our actual results do not match the projections of these securities research analysts. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports on us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, our share price or trading volume could decline. Moreover, if certain analysts fail to commence coverage of us, the market price and volume for our Common Stock could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Being a Public Company
The market price of our Common Stock is and could remain highly volatile. You may lose some or all of your investment.
The trading price of our Common Stock is and could remain volatile and subject to significant fluctuations. The trading price of our Common Stock depends on many factors, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section, many of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, the stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility, which has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of the issuer. The trading price of our Common Stock may be adversely affected by third parties trying to drive down or drive up the market price. Short sellers and others, some of whom post anonymously on social media, may be positioned to profit if our stock declines or otherwise exhibits volatility, and their activities can negatively affect our stock price and increase the volatility of our stock price. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our operating performance.
In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market prices of particular companies’ securities, securities class action litigations have often been instituted against these companies. Litigation of this type, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. Any adverse determination in any such litigation or any amounts paid to settle any such actual or threatened litigation could require that we make significant payments.
Some provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter third parties from acquiring us and diminish the value of our Common Stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for, among other things:
•the ability of our board of directors (the "Board") to issue one or more series of preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could have the effect of impeding the success of an attempt to acquire us or otherwise effect a change in control;
•provide for a classified board of directors with staggered, three‑year terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our Board;
•prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
•advance notice for nominations of directors by stockholders and for stockholders to include matters to be considered at stockholder meetings; and
•certain limitations on convening special stockholder meetings.
In addition, in our certificate of incorporation, we have not opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three‑year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
•prior to such time, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
•upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or
•at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our Board and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two‑thirds of the votes of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or within the previous three years owned, 15% or more of the votes of our outstanding voting stock. For purposes of this provision, “voting stock” means any class or series of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with us for a three‑year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our Board approves either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our Board and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
These provisions in our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, as well as Delaware law, may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of us that is in the best interest of its minority stockholders. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Common Stock if they are viewed as discouraging future takeover attempts. These provisions could also make it more difficult for stockholders to nominate directors for election to our board of directors and take other corporate actions.
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Exchange Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to “emerging growth companies” or “smaller reporting companies,” this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act, and we take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but are not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from say‑on‑pay, say‑on‑frequency and say‑on‑golden parachute voting requirements. As a result, our stockholders may not have access to certain information they may deem important. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year: (a) following July 7, 2026, the fifth anniversary of the date AltC consummated its initial public offering; (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1,235,000,000; or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the shares of our Common Stock that are held by non‑affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of the last business day of our prior second fiscal quarter, and (ii) the date on which we have issued more than $1,000,000,000 in non‑convertible debt securities during the prior three‑year period.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non‑emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive because we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result of our reliance on these exemptions, the trading prices of our securities may be lower than they otherwise would be, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the trading prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Our failure to timely and effectively implement controls and procedures required by Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act could negatively impact our business.
As a public company, we are subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act and are required to provide management’s attestation on internal controls. The standards required for a public company under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of us as a privately held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements. If our management is unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, or to certify the effectiveness of such controls, and our independent registered public accounting firm cannot render an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at such time as it is required to do so, and material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting are identified, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, a loss of public and investor confidence, prevent us from obtaining capital on favorable terms or at all, and to litigation from investors and stockholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our stock price. In addition, if we do not maintain adequate financial and management personnel, processes, and controls, we may not be able to manage our business effectively or accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis, which could cause a decline in our stock price and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Failure to comply with the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, the NYSE or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over infrequent and complex accounting. If our remediation of such material weakness is not effective it could impact our ability to timely and accurately report our financial condition and results of operations or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be impaired, which may adversely affect investor confidence.
We are in the process of developing our internal processes and procedures to accommodate our rapid growth. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting in the area of complex and infrequent accounting, relating specifically to complex accounting matters relating to closing entries associated with our Business Combination with AltC. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness described above, if not remediated, could result in a misstatement of account balances or disclosures that, if not detected, would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations, cause us to lose investor confidence, prevent us from obtaining capital on favorable terms or at all, subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, the NYSE or other regulatory authorities, or subject us to civil litigation, which would be costly and time-consuming to defend.
In order to remediate this material weakness, we plan to improve our processes and controls relating to how we review information provided by third parties, and relating to how we review amendments to third party agreements, as supported through hiring or use of third-party consultants and specialists, to ensure appropriate accounting treatment.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We have developed and implemented a cybersecurity risk management program designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and information. In collaboration with the Company's IT leadership, management has established structured processes for identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks that may impact our business operations including processes to identify cybersecurity risks associated with the use of third-party service providers.
Senior leadership regularly provides updates to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on the status and outcomes of internal audits evaluating our cybersecurity systems, controls, and processes. Our program is guided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST") Cybersecurity Framework, which serves as a valuable resource in helping us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks aligned with our business needs. This does not imply that we meet any
particular standards, specifications or requirements, only that we use NIST as a guide.
Our cybersecurity risk management program is integrated into our overall risk management program, and shared common methodologies, reporting channels, and governance processes that apply across the risk management program to other legal, compliance, strategic, operational and financial risk areas. Our overall strategy in protecting against cybersecurity risks includes the following preventative and detective measures:
•Multi-layered network security architecture – We have implemented firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, and we utilize threat intelligence.
•Incident Response – In the event of an incident, management has established an incident response plan designed to identify, evaluate, respond to, mitigate, and report potential cybersecurity threats, including notifying the Board or regulatory agencies, as deemed appropriate. This response plan is tested regularly and is intended to address cybersecurity risks to the corporate information technology (“IT”) environment including the Company's systems, hardware, software, data, people, and processes.
•Regular security assessments and penetration testing – We conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and simulated cyberattack exercises to identify and remediate security weaknesses in our IT infrastructure.
•Third-party Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring – We partner with a third-party SOC and incident response retainer to provide security monitoring, threat detection, and rapid incident response, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of potential cyber threats.
•Employee cybersecurity awareness and training programs – All employees are required to participate in cybersecurity training, including phishing simulations, social engineering awareness, and secure data handling practices.
Oklo has not experienced any material cybersecurity incidents to date, and we are not aware of any threats, current or ongoing, that would materially affect or be reasonably likely to materially affect our results of operations or financial condition. We face risks from cybersecurity threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. See “Risk Factors – If we or our third-party providers fail to protect confidential information and experience data security incidents, we may experience adverse effects, including regulatory enforcement consequences, on our business and results of operations."
Cybersecurity Governance
The Board maintains oversight responsibility for cybersecurity risks and has delegated to the Audit Committee oversight of such risks, including oversight of management’s implementation of our cybersecurity risk management program. Management regularly reports to the Audit Committee of the Board regarding the status and outcomes of regular internal audits of cybersecurity systems, controls, and processes. As needed, management also briefs the Board on our cybersecurity environment and information security philosophy. We also review and advise our Board of cybersecurity threats to us, including emerging cybersecurity threats, as well as our plans and strategies to address them.
Our cybersecurity management team consists of the following:
•Chief Financial Officer – previously held roles associated with cybersecurity monitoring and reporting at bp plc, including being accountable for a global smart active monitoring implementation program focused on the North American Downstream business, as well as oversight for IT when serving as the CFO for the NA Fuels business for bp plc and while CFO at Renewable Energy Group.
•Head of IT and Cyber – has over 20 years of IT leadership in cybersecurity, including risk management, incident response, and cybersecurity strategy across defense, education, and corporate sectors. He has managed IT and cyber operations for over 100,000 users, overseeing enterprise ERP, HRIS, internet services, email systems, and Security Operations Centers. He holds certifications including CISSP, CCNP, and ITIL.
•Head of Business Operations – a seasoned operations and technology leader with extensive experience in scaling IT and cybersecurity functions for high-growth companies. He served as Chief Operating Officer of a Series A startup where he oversaw all operations and IT.
•Head of Legal – has extensive experience helping companies manage cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection related risks across the technology, e-commerce, and healthcare sectors. He has served as the global Data Protection Officer at four companies, including at Shopify Inc. where he helped respond to cybersecurity incidents, and managed all related legal and regulatory impact. He also previously managed the cybersecurity function at a Series B startup where he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
All of the above individuals have played a key role in our transition as a public company, working closely with external cybersecurity advisory specialists to evolve IT and cybersecurity practices to meet public company compliance standards.
Our management team remains actively engaged in overseeing cybersecurity risk prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation efforts. This is achieved through regular briefings from our internal IT and cyber staff, with insights from threat intelligence sources, including governmental, public, and private entities as well as guidance from external service providers. Additionally, management reviews alerts and reports generated by advanced security tools deployed within our environment to ensure a proactive and informed approach to cybersecurity threats.
Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive office is located at our headquarters in Santa Clara, California, where we have subleased office space for approximately 24,448 square feet, representing the total space for two separate office buildings, expiring in December 2026. Additionally, we have subleased office space near certain NRC office spaces in Rockville, Maryland, for approximately 2,135 square feet, with an effective date of January 17, 2025, expiring in March 2027.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently subject to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 10, 2024 under the symbol “OKLO.”
Holders
As of March 24, 2025, there were approximately 57 holders of record of our Common Stock. Since many of our shares of Common Stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.
Dividends
We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock, and our present policy is to retain any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 6. [ Reserved ]
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
For an overview of the Company, see the information above presented under the section labeled “Item 1. Business,” which is in “Part I” of this Annual Report.
Impact of Macroeconomic Conditions
The macroeconomic environment both in the United States and globally has the potential to impact our business and financial performance. More specifically, factors such as trade agreements, tariffs, interest rates, tax law, labor trends, and fiscal policy could impact the cost to construct and operate our powerhouses, and even impact the future profitability of our operations.
Supply chain vulnerabilities represent a critical area of macro-economic risk for our business. Global disruptions—whether from geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or public health crises—can severely impact the availability and cost of essential components for energy infrastructure. These disruptions can lead to extended lead times for specialized equipment, shortages of critical materials, and unexpected cost escalations that complicate project planning and execution. Our reliance on supply networks for turbine components, electrical systems, and construction materials creates exposure to these global supply chain risks.
Inflation remains a significant concern, particularly as it affects construction materials, specialized equipment, and labor costs throughout our project development cycle. These inflationary pressures can erode project margins and complicate long-term capital planning efforts.
Economic growth and recession cycles directly correlate with energy demand across industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. During economic downturns, we typically experience reduced consumption patterns, while periods of growth drive increased energy needs, affecting our revenue projections and expansion strategies.
Demand for energy in the United States is currently being driven by the explosive growth in the data center industry, particularly as AI deployment, cloud computing adoption, and digital transformation initiatives accelerate across sectors. Should power demand growth in the AI data center market slow, customer demand for our baseload low-carbon power could be negatively impacted.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $275.3 million, which includes the proceeds received from the Business Combination. We continue to incur significant operating losses. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had a net loss of $73.6 million, loss from operations of $52.8 million, and net cash used in operating activities of $38.4 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $135.1 million. Management expects that significant on-going operating expenditures will be necessary to successfully implement our business plan and develop our powerhouses.
We will utilize our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities to fund our powerhouses, operations and growth plans. We believe that, as a result of the Business Combination, our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities will be sufficient to fund our operations for the one-year period following the issuance date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2024, except for a new lease agreement with an effective date of January 17, 2025 (further information is provided in Note 17, Subsequent Events, under the heading Operating Lease Agreement in our accompanying consolidated financial statements).
Commitments and Contractual Obligations
We did not have any material commitments or contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024, other than with respect to the leases under which we lease real estate for office space. Certain leases are classified as operating leases and one lease has been described as a subsequent event, expiring December 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, respectively. See Note 5, Leases, Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 17, Subsequent Events, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 for more information regarding our commitments and contractual obligations.
Cash Flows Comparison
The following table sets forth our cash flows for the period indicated.
Comparison for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
Net cash used in operating activities |
$ |
(38,390) |
|
|
$ |
(15,998) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(175,774) |
|
|
(83) |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
301,428 |
|
|
16,295 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
87,264 |
|
|
$ |
214 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ |
97,132 |
|
|
$ |
9,868 |
|
Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted of cash outflows of $45.6 million, offset by $7.2 million of interest and dividend income, totaling $38.4 million in cash used, as compared to cash outflows of $16.2 million, offset by $0.2 million of interest and dividend income, totaling $16.0 million in cash used in the same period in 2023. This $29.4 million increase in cash used, partially offset by $7.2 million of interest and dividend income, was driven by our operating results (net loss adjusted for depreciation and other noncash charges totaling $40.1 million) which resulted in $22.4 million of higher cash used by operating activities year-over-year, as well as a $6.5 million increase in cash used resulting from net changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by our operating expenses as we continue to scale our operations, consisting of $20.5 million in cash used for payroll and employee benefits of personnel and $25.1 million in other costs, primarily consisting of professional services for consulting on research and development activities, and legal and accounting fees on general and administrative activities.
Cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of cash outflows of $16.2 million, offset by $0.2 million of interest and dividend income, totaling $16.0 million in cash used, as compared to cash outflows of $10.0 million in the same period in 2022. This $6.2 million increase in cash used, partially offset by $0.2 million of interest and dividend income, was driven by our operating results (net loss adjusted for depreciation and other noncash charges totaling $14.6 million) which resulted in $6.0 million of higher cash used by operating activities year-over-year, as well as a $1.9 million decrease in cash used resulting from net changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by our operating expenses required to scale our operations, consisting of $10.0 million in cash used for payroll and employee benefits of personnel and $6.1 million in other costs, primarily consisting of professional services for consulting on research and development activities, and legal and accounting fees on general and administrative activities.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to $0.4 million use of cash on the purchase of discretionary property and equipment and $291.6 million use of cash on the purchase of marketable securities, partially offset by $116.2 million of proceeds from redemptions of marketable securities.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the purchase of property and equipment of $0.1 million.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 consisted of the proceeds from recapitalization of $276.2 million, proceeds from right of first refusal liability of $25.0 million, proceeds from the issuance of simple agreements for future equity ("SAFEs") of $10.2 million and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1.0 million, partially offset by payment of deferred issuance costs of $11.1 million.
Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of the proceeds from the issuance of SAFEs of $19.3 million, as well as proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.1 million, partially offset by payment of deferred issuance costs of $3.1 million.
Key Components of Results of Operations
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of research and development and general and administrative expenses.
Research and Development
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses represent costs incurred to develop our technology. These costs consist of personnel costs, including salaries, employee benefit costs, bonuses and stock-based compensation expenses, software costs, computing costs, hardware and experimental supplies, and expenses for outside engineering contractors for analytical work and consulting costs. We expense all R&D costs in the periods in which they are incurred; however, occasionally, the reimbursement would be received in the following period.
We have several recycling technology projects awarded as R&D cost-share projects (the “cost-share projects”) through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (“ARPA-E”) and the DOE Technology Commercialization Fund (“TCF”). The ARPA-E and TCF projects involve cost-sharing of project costs as well as reimbursement of certain qualifying expenditures to us. A budget was initially approved for each of these cost-share projects, and as certain expenses and capital expenditures for equipment are incurred, such expenses or capital expenditures are reported to ARPA-E and then a pre-determined percentage of such expenses or capital expenditures are reimbursed by ARPA-E back to us. The expenses are categorized as R&D expenses, which are then partially reimbursed.
General and Administrative
Our general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses primarily comprise various components not related to R&D, such as personnel costs, regulatory fees, promotion expenses, costs associated with maintaining and filing intellectual property, meals and entertainment expenses, travel expenses, and other expenditures related to external professional services including legal, engineering, marketing, human resources, audit, and accounting services. Personnel costs include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation expenses. As we continue to grow and expand our workforce and operations, and in light of the increased costs associated with operating as a public company, we anticipate that our G&A expenses will rise for the foreseeable future.
Other Income (Loss)
Other income (loss) consists of interest and dividend income and the remeasurement gains and losses related to SAFEs.
Income Taxes
Income taxes primarily consist of income taxes in certain jurisdictions in which we conduct business. We have a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits related primarily to research and development. Prior to the Business Combination, because we are pre-revenue, income taxes have been minimal. After the Business Combination, as a result of our interest and dividend income from our investments, federal and state income taxes may be incurred, after available tax deductions, including available carryovers.
Results of Operations
The following tables set forth our results of operations for the years indicated. The year-over-year comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
The following table sets forth our historical results for the years indicated, and the changes between years:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 versus 2023 |
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
$ |
26,711 |
|
|
$ |
9,763 |
|
|
$ |
16,948 |
|
|
173.6 |
% |
General and administrative |
26,090 |
|
|
8,873 |
|
|
17,217 |
|
|
194.0 |
% |
Total operating expenses |
52,801 |
|
|
18,636 |
|
|
34,165 |
|
|
183.3 |
% |
Loss from operations |
(52,801) |
|
|
(18,636) |
|
|
(34,165) |
|
|
183.3 |
% |
Other (income) loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of simple agreement for future equity |
(27,864) |
|
|
(13,717) |
|
|
(14,147) |
|
|
103.1 |
% |
Interest and dividend income |
7,732 |
|
|
180 |
|
|
7,552 |
|
|
NM |
Total other loss |
(20,132) |
|
|
(13,537) |
|
|
(6,595) |
|
|
48.7 |
% |
Loss before income taxes |
(72,933) |
|
|
(32,173) |
|
|
(40,760) |
|
|
126.7 |
% |
Income taxes |
(683) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(683) |
|
|
NM |
Net loss |
$ |
(73,616) |
|
|
$ |
(32,173) |
|
|
$ |
(41,443) |
|
|
128.8 |
% |
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with “NM.”
Research and Development
The following presents R&D expenses:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 versus 2023 |
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development expenses |
$ |
26,711 |
|
|
$ |
9,763 |
|
|
$ |
16,948 |
|
|
173.6 |
% |
R&D expenses increased by $16.9 million, or 173.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $7.1 million in total payroll and employee benefits of research and development personnel attributable to an increase in the weighted-average headcount of approximately 68.1% and an increase in salary over the prior period, an increase of $7.4 million in stock-based compensation expenses (primarily from $6.1 million incremental costs of the modification of Legacy Oklo vested options for the holders’ contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares recorded at the Closing), an increase of $1.0 million in professional services, and an increase of $1.0 million in other expenses.
General and Administrative
The following presents G&A expenses:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 versus 2023 |
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total general and administrative expenses |
$ |
26,090 |
|
|
$ |
8,873 |
|
|
$ |
17,217 |
|
|
194.0 |
% |
G&A expenses increased by $17.2 million, or 194.0% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
The increase was primarily due to an increase of $3.9 million in payroll and employee benefits of general corporate functions and finance personnel attributable to an increase in the weighted-average headcount of approximately 43.5% and average salary over the prior period, an increase of $4.3 million in stock-based compensation expenses (with $1.7 million from the incremental costs of the modification of Legacy Oklo vested options for the holders’ contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares recorded at the Closing), an increase of $6.2 million in professional services primarily due to an increase in legal and other professional fees, and an increase of $2.8 million related to travel, entertainment, and other expenses.
Other Income (Loss)
The following table sets forth other income (loss):
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 versus 2023 |
(in thousands) |
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
$ Change |
|
% Change |
Change in fair value of SAFEs |
$ |
(27,864) |
|
|
$ |
(13,717) |
|
|
$ |
(14,147) |
|
|
103.1 |
% |
Interest and dividend income |
7,732 |
|
|
180 |
|
|
7,552 |
|
|
NM |
Total other loss |
$ |
(20,132) |
|
|
$ |
(13,537) |
|
|
$ |
(6,595) |
|
|
48.7 |
% |
The change in fair value of SAFEs of $27.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, represents the remeasurement loss in the fair value related to the SAFEs as compared to the fair value as of December 31, 2023.
Interest and dividend income increased by $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in interest and dividend income related to an increase in our cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities balances from the prior year period.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, we are required to use judgment in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (1) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements for a description of our significant accounting policies.
Accordingly, these are the policies and estimates we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial condition and results of operations:
Stock-based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation by measuring and recognizing expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the estimated grant-date fair values over each recipient’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. Legacy Oklo estimated the fair value of stock options granted to employees and non-employees using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The determination of fair value requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly with regard to Black-Scholes assumptions, such as our Legacy Oklo common stock fair value, stock price volatility, and expected option lives to value stock-based compensation.
In connection with our Business Combination, we recorded an incremental cost related to the modification of Legacy Oklo vested options that were outstanding at Closing for the holders’ contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares in the future. The incremental costs were based on the fair value of the Earnout Shares, as determined by an independent third-party valuation using a Monte Carlo simulation with key inputs and assumptions, such as the per share stock price at Closing, term, dividend yield, risk-free rate, and volatility. The determination of the fair value involves certain judgments and estimates, primarily due to the volatility of our stock price and the uncertain timing of earnout conditions. The Monte Carlo simulation method requires assumptions that are inherently subjective, including stock price volatility that was estimated based on industry peer data due to our limited trading history, introducing an element of judgment in assessing comparability. The risk-free rate was based on U.S. Treasury rates, selected to match the expected term of the earnout provisions, and a zero-dividend yield was assumed.
The expected term was estimated based on management’s assessment of when the Earnout Shares and Founder Shares would likely be issued, factoring in potential market conditions and shareholder behavior. Changes in the significant assumptions and estimates could materially impact the valuation and the amounts recorded in the financial statements. For additional information regarding the impact of the Earnout Shares and Founder Shares, see Note 3, Business Combination, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8.
Simple Agreements for Future Equity
We recorded our Legacy Oklo SAFEs at fair value that require significant inputs not observable in the market, which cause the instrument to be classified as a Level 3 measurement with the fair value hierarchy. The valuation uses probabilities considering pay-offs under various scenarios as follows: (i) an equity financing where the SAFEs will convert into certain preferred stock; (ii) a liquidity event where the SAFE noteholders will have an option to receive either a cash payment equal to the invested amount under such SAFE, or a number of shares of common stock equal to the invested amount divided by the liquidity price; and (iii) a dissolution event where the SAFE noteholders will be entitled to receive a portion of the related proceeds equal to the purchase amount. We utilized a third-party to determine the fair value of the SAFEs under the Monte Carlo simulation method, which was used to estimate the future market value of our invested capital (“MVIC”) at a liquidity event and the expected payment to the SAFE holders at each simulated MVIC value. We believe these assumptions would be made by a market participant in estimating the valuation of the SAFEs. We assess these assumptions and estimates on an on-going basis as additional data impacting the assumptions and estimates are obtained.
There is substantial judgment in selecting the assumptions that we use to determine the fair value of the SAFEs and other companies could use similar market inputs and experience and arrive at different conclusions with respect to those used to calculate fair value. Using alternative assumptions could cause differences in the resulting fair value. As of the Closing of the Business Combination, we no longer have any SAFEs.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is classified as an emerging growth company (“EGC”), as defined under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). Therefore, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs. We could retain EGC status until December 31, 2026, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000,000 as of any June 30 before that time, in which case we would no longer qualify for EGC status as of the following December 31.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts EGCs from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-EGCs, but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for a discussion about Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards Recently Issued and Not Adopted Accounting Standards as of the date of this Annual Report.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are set forth in Item 15 of this Annual Report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer(s) and principal financial officer(s), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, an evaluation was completed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2024 in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process, including policies and procedures, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our management assessed our internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Based on our evaluation under the framework in COSO, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024 due to a material weakness as it relates specifically to infrequent and complex transactions. This weakness has not been remediated as of the date of filing this Annual Report.
We intend to undertake the following remediation measures to address the material weakness described in this Annual Report:
•Improve processes where management reviews information provided by third parties; and
•Implement additional controls where finance and accounting reviews any amendments to third party agreements, as supported through hiring or use of third-party consultants and specialists, to ensure appropriate accounting treatment.
We expect that the remediation of this matter that was deemed a material weakness will be fully complete no later than December 31, 2025.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In connection with our continued monitoring and maintenance of our control procedures as part of the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we continue to review, test, and improve the effectiveness of our internal controls. Except as described above under “Management’s Annual Report On Internal Control over Financial Reporting” there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, is subject to inherent limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for our business but cannot assure you that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading agreement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading agreement,” as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Immaterial Correction of Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, we entered into a Business Combination with AltC. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the following transactions were consummated:
• immediately before the Closing the SAFEs converted to Class A common stock, and
• in connection with the Closing, certain Legacy Oklo equity holders (i.e., the Earnout Shares) and certain Sponsor shares unvested and became subject to vesting condition (i.e., the Founder Shares) based on certain triggering events with the fair value recognized as a deemed dividend at the measurement date (collectively the Earnout Shares and the Founder Shares were previously presented as a “deemed dividend - earnout and founder shares” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations).
In preparing our 2024 annual consolidated financial statements, we identified additional information regarding the fair value calculation of the SAFEs upon the consummation of the reverse recapitalization in connection with the Business Combination. The additional information obtained led management to reevaluate the change in fair value of the SAFEs previously recorded in prior interim periods, and determine that such change in fair value should have been $2,055,662 less than previously reported. As a result, we have recorded a decrease of $2,055,662 in the change in fair value during the period from amounts previously reported. Further, we determined the tabular presentation of the deemed dividend for the Earnout and Founder Shares, and related impact to net loss attributable to common stockholders and loss per share on our interim statements of operations was not appropriate. As a result of these matters, we plan to prospectively correct the condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 (the “quarterly financial statements”) for these items in future filings.
Management evaluated the above misstatements and concluded they were not material to our quarterly financial statements, individually or in the aggregate; however, we plan to correct our quarterly financial statements for the interim periods of 2024 as presented below.
The following tables present a summary of the effects of the correction of our previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 to be presented as comparative financial information in the Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2025:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
$ |
383,737,617 |
|
|
$ |
(2,055,662) |
|
|
$ |
381,681,955 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(114,861,513) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(112,805,851) |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As
Corrected
|
Statement of operations [increase (decrease)]: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
$ |
(13,126,959) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(11,071,297) |
|
|
$ |
(29,919,959) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(27,864,297) |
|
Total other loss |
(11,411,385) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(9,355,723) |
|
|
(28,063,082) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(26,007,420) |
|
Loss before income taxes |
(29,182,363) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(27,126,701) |
|
|
(53,204,448) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(51,148,786) |
|
Net loss |
(29,345,984) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(27,290,322) |
|
|
(53,368,069) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(51,312,407) |
|
Deemed dividend - earnout and founder shares |
(487,934,600) |
|
|
487,934,600 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(487,934,600) |
|
|
487,934,600 |
|
|
— |
|
Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
(517,280,584) |
|
|
517,280,584 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(541,302,669) |
|
|
541,302,669 |
|
|
— |
|
Net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
(0.29) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
(0.27) |
|
|
(0.63) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
(0.61) |
|
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
(5.17) |
|
|
5.17 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(6.36) |
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
— |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Net loss |
$ |
(29,345,984) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(27,290,322) |
|
|
$ |
(53,368,069) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(51,312,407) |
|
Total comprehensive loss |
(28,927,965) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(26,872,303) |
|
|
(52,950,050) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(50,894,388) |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
|
Additional Paid-In Capital |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
As Previously Reported |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
$ |
86,193,118 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
86,193,959 |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
(53,368,069) |
|
|
(53,368,069) |
|
Balance as of June 30, 2024 |
|
383,737,617 |
|
|
(114,861,513) |
|
|
269,306,333 |
|
Adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
As Corrected |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
84,137,456 |
|
|
— |
|
|
84,138,297 |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
(51,312,407) |
|
|
(51,312,407) |
|
Balance as of June 30, 2024 |
|
381,681,955 |
|
|
(112,805,851) |
|
|
269,306,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(53,368,069) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(51,312,407) |
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
|
29,919,959 |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
27,864,297 |
|
Reclassification of simple agreements for future equity in connection with Business Combination |
|
86,193,959 |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
84,138,297 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)
The following tables present a summary of the effects of the correction of our previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 to be presented as comparative financial information in the Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
$ |
385,363,981 |
|
|
$ |
(2,055,662) |
|
|
$ |
383,308,319 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(124,820,677) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(122,765,015) |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Statement of operations [increase (decrease)]: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
|
$ |
(29,919,959) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(27,864,297) |
|
Total other loss |
|
(25,516,196) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(23,460,534) |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
(62,938,649) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(60,882,987) |
|
Net loss |
|
(63,327,233) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(61,271,571) |
|
Deemed dividend - earnout and founder shares |
|
(487,934,600) |
|
|
487,934,600 |
|
|
— |
|
Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
|
(551,261,833) |
|
|
551,261,833 |
|
|
— |
|
Net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
|
(0.65) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
(0.63) |
|
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
|
(5.65) |
|
|
5.65 |
|
|
— |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(63,327,233) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(61,271,571) |
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
(60,606,146) |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
(58,550,484) |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 |
|
|
Additional Paid-In Capital |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
As Previously Reported |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
$ |
86,193,118 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
86,193,959 |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
(63,327,233) |
|
|
(63,327,233) |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2024 |
|
385,363,981 |
|
|
(124,820,677) |
|
|
263,276,601 |
|
Adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
|
2,055,662 |
|
As Corrected |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination |
|
84,137,456 |
|
|
— |
|
|
84,138,297 |
|
Net loss |
|
— |
|
|
(61,271,571) |
|
|
(61,271,571) |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2024 |
|
383,308,319 |
|
|
(122,765,015) |
|
|
263,276,601 |
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2024 |
|
|
As Previously Reported |
|
Adjustment |
|
As Corrected |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(63,327,233) |
|
|
$ |
2,055,662 |
|
|
$ |
(61,271,571) |
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
|
29,919,959 |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
27,864,297 |
|
Reclassification of simple agreements for future equity in connection with Business Combination |
|
86,193,959 |
|
|
(2,055,662) |
|
|
84,138,297 |
|
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
We have adopted an Insider Trading Policy that governs the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of our securities by directors, officers and employees that is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and NYSE listing standards. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2024.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) See the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-1 of this Annual Report.
(b) The information required to be submitted in the Financial Statement Schedules has either been shown in the financial statements or notes, or is not applicable or required under Regulation S-X; therefore, those schedules have been omitted.
(c) Exhibits.
The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this Annual Report or are incorporated herein by reference, in each case as indicated below.
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit Number |
|
Description |
2.1 |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
4.1* |
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
10.3# |
|
|
10.4# |
|
|
10.5# |
|
|
10.6# |
|
|
10.7# |
|
|
10.8# |
|
|
10.9# |
|
|
10.10# |
|
|
10.11# |
|
|
10.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.1* |
|
|
21.1 |
|
|
23.1* |
|
|
23.2* |
|
|
31.1* |
|
|
31.2* |
|
|
32.1** |
|
|
97.1* |
|
|
101.INS* |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
101.SCH* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
101.CAL* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
101.LAB* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
101.PRE* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
101.DEF * |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
104 |
|
The cover page from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101). |
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith. This certification that is furnished herewith is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Oklo Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Oklo Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Jose, California
March 24, 2025
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2024.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Oklo Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Oklo Inc., (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for year ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023 through October 9, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA
April 2, 2024, except for Notes 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 17, as to which the date is August 30, 2024, and except for Note 16 as to which the date is March 24, 2025
Oklo Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Assets |
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
97,132 |
|
|
$ |
9,868 |
|
Marketable debt securities |
130,682 |
|
|
— |
|
Prepaid and other current assets |
4,125 |
|
|
4,331 |
|
Total current assets |
231,939 |
|
|
14,199 |
|
Marketable debt securities |
47,473 |
|
|
— |
|
Property and equipment, net |
1,202 |
|
|
578 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
982 |
|
|
83 |
|
Other assets |
140 |
|
|
25 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
281,736 |
|
|
$ |
14,885 |
|
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) |
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
2,970 |
|
|
$ |
2,274 |
|
Accrued expenses and other |
1,885 |
|
|
836 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
481 |
|
|
94 |
|
Total current liabilities |
5,336 |
|
|
3,204 |
|
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion |
543 |
|
|
— |
|
Simple agreements for future equity |
— |
|
|
46,042 |
|
Right of first refusal liability |
25,000 |
|
|
— |
|
Total liabilities |
30,879 |
|
|
49,246 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15) |
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity (deficit): |
|
|
|
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value – 500,000,000 shares authorized; 137,706,596 and 69,242,940 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively |
14 |
|
|
7 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
383,739 |
|
|
27,125 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
(135,109) |
|
|
(61,493) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
2,213 |
|
|
— |
|
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) |
250,857 |
|
|
(34,361) |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ |
281,736 |
|
|
$ |
14,885 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Oklo Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
$ |
26,711 |
|
|
$ |
9,763 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
26,090 |
|
|
8,873 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
52,801 |
|
|
18,636 |
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
|
|
(52,801) |
|
|
(18,636) |
|
Other income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
|
|
|
|
(27,864) |
|
|
(13,717) |
|
Interest and dividend income |
|
|
|
|
7,732 |
|
|
180 |
|
Total other income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
(20,132) |
|
|
(13,537) |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
(72,933) |
|
|
(32,173) |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
|
|
(683) |
|
|
— |
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(73,616) |
|
|
$ |
(32,173) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.74) |
|
|
$ |
(0.47) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted - Class A common stock |
|
|
|
|
98,910,013 |
|
68,891,996 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Oklo Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(73,616) |
|
|
$ |
(32,173) |
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in unrealized gains on marketable debt securities |
|
|
|
|
2,213 |
|
|
— |
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(71,403) |
|
|
$ |
(32,173) |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Oklo Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(in thousands, except share data)
Year Ended December 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) |
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares (1) |
|
Par Value (1) |
|
Shares |
|
Par Value |
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2023, as recast |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
69,242,940 |
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
27,125 |
|
|
$ |
(61,493) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(34,361) |
|
Exercise of stock options |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
2,256,157 |
|
— |
|
1,044 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
1,044 |
Stock-based compensation |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
12,484 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
12,484 |
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with the Business Combination, net of transaction costs (Note 3) |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
43,099,811 |
|
4 |
|
258,951 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
258,955 |
Issuance of Class A common stock upon conversion of simple agreements for future equity immediately before the Business Combination (Note 3) |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
8,407,894 |
|
1 |
|
84,137 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
84,138 |
Change in unrealized gains on marketable debt securities |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
2,213 |
|
2,213 |
Issuance of Class A common stock in connection with earnout awards |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
14,699,794 |
|
2 |
|
(2) |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
Net loss |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(73,616) |
|
— |
|
(73,616) |
Balance as of December 31, 2024 |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
137,706,596 |
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
383,739 |
|
|
$ |
(135,109) |
|
|
$ |
2,213 |
|
|
$ |
250,857 |
|
(1) The shares of the Company’s common stock prior to the Business Combination (as defined below) have been retrospectively recast to reflect the change in the capital structure as a result of the Business Combination as described in Note 3.
Year Ended December 31, 2023
(in thousands, except share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Class A Common Stock |
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) |
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
|
Shares (1) |
|
Par Value (1) |
|
Shares |
|
Par Value |
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2023, as previously reported |
6,585,881 |
|
|
$ |
25,032 |
|
|
|
4,771,025 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
1,209 |
|
|
$ |
(29,320) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(28,111) |
|
Retroactive application of reverse recapitalization (Note 3) |
(6,585,881) |
|
|
(25,032) |
|
|
|
(4,771,025) |
|
|
— |
|
|
68,845,564 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
25,025 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
25,032 |
|
Balance as of January 1, 2023, after effect of reverse recapitalization |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
68,845,564 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
26,234 |
|
|
(29,320) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(3,079) |
|
Exercise of stock options |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
397,376 |
|
|
— |
|
|
114 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
114 |
|
Stock-based compensation |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
777 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
777 |
|
Net loss |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(32,173) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(32,173) |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
69,242,940 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
27,125 |
|
|
$ |
(61,493) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(34,361) |
|
(1) The shares of the Company’s common stock prior to the reverse recapitalization have been retrospectively recast to reflect the change in the capital structure as a result of the Business Combination as described in Note 3.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Oklo Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
Net loss |
$ |
(73,616) |
|
|
$ |
(32,173) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
268 |
|
|
75 |
|
Change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity |
27,864 |
|
|
13,717 |
|
Accretion of discount on marketable debt securities |
(520) |
|
|
— |
|
Stock-based compensation |
12,484 |
|
|
777 |
|
Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
Prepaid and other current assets |
(1,520) |
|
|
(126) |
|
Other assets |
(115) |
|
|
26 |
|
Accounts payable |
(1,762) |
|
|
1,344 |
|
Accrued expenses and other |
(1,504) |
|
|
384 |
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities |
31 |
|
|
(22) |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
(38,390) |
|
|
(15,998) |
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
(352) |
|
|
(83) |
|
Purchases of marketable debt securities |
(291,620) |
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from redemptions of marketable debt securities |
116,198 |
|
|
— |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
(175,774) |
|
|
(83) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds from recapitalization |
276,210 |
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
1,044 |
|
|
114 |
|
Proceeds from right of first refusal liability |
25,000 |
|
|
— |
|
Proceeds from simple agreements for future equity |
10,232 |
|
|
19,325 |
|
Payment of deferred issuance costs |
(11,058) |
|
|
(3,144) |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
301,428 |
|
|
16,295 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
87,264 |
|
|
214 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year |
9,868 |
|
|
9,654 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year |
$ |
97,132 |
|
|
$ |
9,868 |
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information |
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Cash paid for income taxes |
907 |
|
|
— |
|
Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities |
|
|
|
Reclassification of deferred issuance costs in connection with business combination |
$ |
5,510 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Reclassification of simple agreements for future equity in connection with business combination |
84,138 |
|
|
— |
|
Deferred issuance costs included in accounts payable |
1,906 |
|
|
443 |
|
Deferred issuance costs included in accrued expense and other |
— |
|
|
122 |
|
Purchases of computer software in accounts payable and accrued expense and other |
540 |
|
|
392 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Oklo Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except share data and amounts, and exchange ratio)
1.Nature of Operations and Organization
Oklo Inc. (following the Business Combination where AltC Acquisition Corp. ("AltC") changed its name to Oklo Inc., the “Company” or “Oklo”) conducts its operations through its subsidiary Oklo Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated on July 3, 2013 (formerly known as Oklo Inc. before the Business Combination and referred to herein as “Legacy Oklo”) (as further described under the heading Business Combination below). The Company is developing advanced fission power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale.
The Company plans to commercialize its metal-fueled fast reactor technology with the Aurora powerhouse product line. The first commercial Aurora powerhouse designs are expected to produce up to 15 and 75 megawatts of electricity (“MWe”) on both recycled nuclear fuel and fresh fuel. Oklo’s advanced fission technology has a history of successful operation, first demonstrated by the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, which sold and supplied power to the grid and showed effective waste recycling capabilities for over 30 years of operation. Furthermore, Oklo has achieved several significant deployment and regulatory milestones, including securing a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) for the Idaho National Laboratory (“INL”) Site and a fuel award from INL for a commercial-scale advanced fission power plant in Idaho.
Business Combination
On May 9, 2024, the Company consummated a business combination pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated July 11, 2023 (as amended, modified, supplemented or waived, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company (formerly known as AltC Acquisition Corp.), AltC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of AltC (“Merger Sub”), and Legacy Oklo. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Oklo, with Legacy Oklo surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”) (as further described in Note 3). Upon consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), AltC changed its name to Oklo Inc.
The Company’s Class A common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “OKLO” on May 10, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities were $275,287, which includes the proceeds received from the Business Combination. The Company continues to incur significant operating losses. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company had a net loss of $73,616, loss from operations of $52,801 and net cash used in operating activities of $38,390. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $135,109.
The Company will utilize its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities to fund its powerhouses, operations, and growth plans. The Company believes that as a result of the Business Combination, its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities will be sufficient to fund its operations for the one-year period following the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications were immaterial, both individually and in aggregate. These changes did not impact previously reported loss from operations or net loss.
2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Segment Information
The Company has viewed its financial information on an aggregate basis for the purposes of evaluating financial performance and allocating the Company’s resources. The Company's principal business consists primarily of research and development activities for its planned powerhouses and nuclear recycling facilities. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it operates in one reportable segment. For more information about the Company's single operating and reportable segment, see Note 16.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its wholly owned subsidiaries Oklo Technologies, Inc. and Oklo Power LLC. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the valuation of the operating lease liabilities and operating right-of-use assets, useful lives of property and equipment, stock-based compensation expense, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, fair value of simple agreements for future equity and valuations related to the Business Combination. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions are based on current and expected economic conditions, historical data, and experience available at the date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Risk and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to continuing risks and uncertainties in connection with the current macroeconomic environment, including as a result of inflation, instability in the global banking system, trade policy (including tariffs, export controls, and sanctions), and geopolitical factors, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. At this point, the extent to which these effects may impact the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations is uncertain, and as of the date of issuance of these financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require the update of any estimates or judgments or an adjustment of the carrying value of any assets or liabilities. Given the nature of the business, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel have not had a specific impact on the Company’s financial performance. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained and will be recognized in the financial statements as soon as they become known.
Net Loss Per Share
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, as Legacy Oklo was determined to be the accounting acquirer under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the transaction is treated as the equivalent of Legacy Oklo issuing stock for the net assets of AltC, accompanied by a recapitalization; therefore, the basic net loss per share has been determined utilizing the outstanding shares of the Class A common stock as described below.
The Company’s basic net loss per share of Class A common stock is computed based on the average number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock for the period, by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the period, without consideration for potential dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock and common share equivalents of potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the period. Potentially dilutive securities include common stock equivalents. Since the Company was in a loss position for the years presented, basic net loss per share of Class A common stock is the same as diluted net loss per share of Class A common stock since the effects of potentially dilutive securities are antidilutive.
The outstanding potentially dilutive common stock equivalents consisting of: (1) options to purchase shares of Class A common stock representing 9,470,382 and 11,426,653 shares as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and (2) unvested restricted common stock units representing 1,252,166 as of December 31, 2024, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per Class A common share due to their anti-dilutive effect.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). The JOBS Act provides emerging growth companies with certain exemptions from public company reporting requirements for up to five fiscal years while a company remains an emerging growth company. As part of these exemptions, the Company has reduced disclosure obligations such as for executive compensation, and it is not required to comply with auditor attestation requirements from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, regarding its internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, the JOBS Act has allowed the Company the option to delay adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments in money market funds with an original contractual maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less.
The Company’s investments in marketable debt securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. The Company classifies its marketable debt securities as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date. The cost of marketable debt securities is adjusted for accretion of premiums and amortization of discounts to maturity. Such accretion and amortization, as well as interest and dividends, are included in interest and dividend income. The cost of securities sold is determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable debt securities classified as available-for-sale are recognized in other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.
Marketable debt securities are subject to a periodic impairment review. If the Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, it will determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is due to credit-related factors. The credit loss is measured as the amount by which the debt security's amortized cost basis exceeds the estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, up to the difference between the amortized cost basis and the fair value. Impairment is assessed at the individual security level. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance in the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to investment income, net, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Any impairment that is not credit-related is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are classified based on the nature of the securities and their availability for use in current operations. The Company’s marketable equity securities are measured at fair value with gains and losses recognized in other income (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company’s policy is to invest cash in institutional money market funds and marketable securities of the U.S. government to limit the amount of credit exposure. The Company currently maintains a portfolio of cash equivalents and marketable securities in money market funds and U.S. treasury securities. A portion of the Company’s operating cash is held in accounts in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits; however, the Company has established guidelines regarding diversification of its investments and their maturities, which are designed to maintain principal and maximize liquidity. The Company has not experienced any losses on cash equivalents and marketable debt securities.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the assets are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the respective accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included on the consolidated statements of operations.
Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method generally based on the following estimated useful lives of the related assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Furniture and fixtures |
7 years |
Computers |
3 to 7 years |
Software |
3 years |
Leasehold improvements |
Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life of the asset |
|
|
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through their undiscounted expected future cash flow. If the future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of these assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. No impairment losses were recognized on any long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Leases
The Company has lease arrangements for its offices. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception by evaluating whether the arrangement conveys the right-of-use (“ROU”) to an identified asset and whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Leases are recorded as an operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
Lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the expected lease term, including options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company uses the discount rate implicit in the lease unless that rate cannot be readily determined. In that case, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis an amount equal to the lease payments over the expected lease term. Lease ROU assets consist of the initial measurement of lease liabilities, any lease payments made to lessor on or before the lease commencement date, adjusted for any lease incentives received, and any initial direct costs incurred by the Company.
Operating lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. There were no finance leases as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Fair Value Measurements
The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. There are no transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis were based upon a three-tier hierarchy as follows:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and investments in U.S. treasury securities and money market funds.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, as corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore developed using management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
The Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The Company’s marketable debt securities are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 assets (as further described in Note 6). The Earnout Shares, exclusive of Earnout Shares attributable to the Legacy Oklo vested options at Closing, and the Founder Shares were recorded at fair value at Closing of the Business Combination and were equity classified as Level 3 liabilities (as further described in Note 3). The Company’s SAFEs were carried at fair value and classified as Level 3 liabilities (as further described in Note 7).
Preferred Stock
The Company had issued redeemable convertible preferred stock (the “Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock”) that converted into the Company’s Class A common stock on a one-to-one basis based on the Exchange Ratio (as described below) upon consummation of the Business Combination (further details are provided in Note 10). Given the Business Combination was treated as a reverse recapitalization, the Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock as of January 1, 2023 has been recast as Class A common stock on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit) in accordance with the accounting for the reverse recapitalization (as further described in Note 3).
Research and Development
Research and development represent costs incurred to develop the Company’s technology. These costs consist of personnel costs, including salaries, employee benefit costs, bonuses and stock-based compensation expenses, software costs, computing costs, hardware and experimental supplies, and expenses for outside engineering contractors for analytical work and consulting costs, as well as depreciation and amortization expense for capitalized assets associated with these functions. The Company expenses all research and development costs in the periods in which they are incurred.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and other personnel-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, for the Company’s employees involved in general corporate functions including finance and human resources, rent and other occupancy expenses, professional fees for legal and accounting, travel costs, promotional expenses, as well as depreciation and amortization expense for capitalized assets associated with these functions.
Cost-Share Projects
The Company has certain cost-share reimbursable projects for several research and development (“R&D”) projects related to nuclear recycling technologies awarded by the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy ("ARPA-E") (the “cost-share projects”) where the Company elected to record the reimbursements on a net presentation basis in the consolidated financial statements. The Company offset certain R&D expenses related to the cost-share projects totaling $727 and $233 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, based on the period in which the expense was incurred and reimbursable under the guidelines of the cost-share projects on the consolidated statements of operations. The reimbursable R&D expenses include $36 and $65 of property and equipment purchased under the guidelines of the cost-share projects during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and reflected $36 and $65 of the cost-share reimbursement as an offset to the cost basis of the property and equipment, resulting in no carrying value for the property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and no reported cash flows. In the event the property and equipment is sold upon completion of the cost-share projects, the Company may be obligated to reimburse the DOE in the event the proceeds are in excess of $5 per asset, which at such time, if applicable, will be reported on a net presentation basis with no gain recognized and no cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation by measuring and recognizing expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and non-employees based on the estimated grant-date fair values for all stock-based compensation arrangements. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over each recipient’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Company has elected to recognize actual forfeitures by reducing the stock-based compensation in the same period as the forfeitures occur. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted to employees and non-employees using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the Legacy Oklo’s common stock fair value and the Company’s Class A common stock fair value (as further described below), expected volatility, expected dividend yield, risk-free rate of return, and the expected term. The Company classifies stock-based compensation expense in the same manner in which the award recipient’s cash compensation cost is classified on the consolidated statements of operations.
Common Stock Fair Value – Prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, there was no public market for Legacy Oklo’s common stock. Therefore, Legacy Oklo’s board of directors (the “Legacy Oklo Board”) determined the fair value of Legacy Oklo’s common stock at the time of each grant of stock options by considering a number of objective and subjective factors in accordance with applicable elements of the practice aid issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants titled, “Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.” Stock options granted by the Legacy Oklo Board have exercise prices equal to the fair value of Legacy Oklo’s common stock, as determined by the Legacy Oklo Board on the date of grant. After the Closing of the Business Combination, the closing price of the Class A common stock on the NYSE is used as the fair value of the Company’s Class A common stock.
Income Taxes
Because the Company has not generated revenue and is anticipated to remain as such for the next several years, income taxes have been minimal to date. The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals, or material deviation from its position.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, a new standard to improve reportable segment disclosures. The guidance expands the disclosures required for reportable segments in annual and interim financial statements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-07 was adopted in the consolidated financial statements, which includes the additional disclosures required for the Company's single operating and reportable segment, for the year ended December 31, 2024, and retrospectively for the years ended December 31, 2023.
Recently Issued and Not Adopted Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require the Company to disclose specified additional information in its income tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 will also require the Company to disaggregate its income taxes paid disclosure by federal, state and foreign taxes, with further disaggregation required for significant individual jurisdictions. The provisions of ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025.
Early adoption is permitted using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. The Company expects ASU 2023-09 to require additional disclosures in the notes to its financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which will require disaggregated disclosures in the notes to the financial statements of certain categories of expenses, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, and depreciation and amortization, that are included in expense line items within the statement of operations. ASU 2024-03 will be applied prospectively; however, retrospective application is permitted. ASU 2024-03, as clarified in ASU 2025-01, Clarifying the Effective Date, requires public business entities to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-03 on its disclosures in the notes to its financial statements.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.
3.Business Combination
The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization as Legacy Oklo was determined to be the accounting acquirer. Under this method of accounting, AltC is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination is treated as the equivalent of Legacy Oklo issuing stock for the net assets of AltC, accompanied by a recapitalization (the “recapitalization”). The net assets of AltC are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Results of operations prior to the Business Combination are presented as belonging to Legacy Oklo. The recapitalization had no effect on reported net loss, cash flows, or total assets as previously reported.
The following table reconciles the elements of the Business Combination to the consolidated statements of cash flows and the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit) for the year ended December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash proceeds from recapitalization |
$ |
276,210 |
|
Add: accrued interest receivable |
44 |
|
Add: advance to Legacy Oklo |
1,830 |
|
Add: prepaid expenses |
4 |
|
Less: transaction costs and advisor fees paid |
(14,662) |
|
Less: advisor fees for Earnout Shares |
(1,906) |
|
Cash and other assets acquired from the Business Combination |
261,520 |
|
Less: accounts payable |
(12) |
|
Less: accrued expenses |
(45) |
|
Less: excise tax payable |
(2,159) |
|
Less: income taxes payable |
(349) |
|
Net assets from the Business Combination recorded on the consolidated stockholders’ equity (deficit) |
$ |
258,955 |
|
Earnout Awards – Earnout Shares and Founder Shares
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company issued the following earnout awards:
Earnout Shares – Pursuant to a sponsor letter agreement (the “Sponsor Agreement”), AltC Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) agreed to subject 10% of its AltC Class A common stock (received as a result of the conversion of its AltC Class B common stock (as described in Note 11) immediately prior to the Closing, such shares, the “AltC founder shares”) to vesting and forfeiture conditions relating to, among other things, price targets for the Company’s Class A common stock for a time period commencing on the Closing and ending on the earlier of (i) the five-year anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) a Change in Control (a “Change in Control” as defined in the Merger Agreement) (such period, the “Earnout Period”).
All persons that held one or more shares of Legacy Oklo common stock immediately prior to the Closing (after giving effect to the conversion of the Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock (as described in Note 10) and Legacy Oklo SAFEs (as described in Note 7)), and all persons that held one or more vested Legacy Oklo options immediately prior to the Closing are eligible (the “Eligible Legacy Oklo equity holders”) to receive an aggregate of 15,000,000 additional shares of Class A common stock (the “Earnout Shares”) in three separate tranches upon the occurrence of each Earnout Triggering Event during the Earnout Period as follows:
•Earnout Triggering Event I required the issuance of 7,500,000 Class A common stock to Eligible Legacy Oklo equity holders at the earlier of the following during the Earnout Period: (i) the stock trading price is equal to or greater than $12.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or (ii) a Change in Control of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock have the right to receive consideration implying a value per share greater than or equal to $12.00 after (a) taking into account the dilutive effect of any Earnout Shares that have been or would be issued at Earnout Triggering Event I and (b) excluding any AltC founder shares that have been or would be forfeited pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement;
•Earnout Triggering Event II required the issuance of 5,000,000 Class A common stock to Eligible Legacy Oklo equity holders at the earlier of the following during the Earnout Period: (i) the stock trading price is equal to or greater than $14.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or (ii) a Change in Control of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock have the right to receive consideration implying a value per share greater than or equal to $14.00 after (a) taking into account the dilutive effect of any Earnout Shares that have been or would be issued at Earnout Triggering Event II, and, if applicable, Earnout Triggering Event I, and (b) excluding any AltC founder shares that have been or would be forfeited pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement; and;
•Earnout Triggering Event III required the issuance of 2,500,000 Class A common stock to Eligible Legacy Oklo equity holders at the earlier of the following during the Earnout Period: (i) the stock trading price is equal to or greater than $16.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or (ii) a Change in Control of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock have the right to receive consideration implying a value per share greater than or equal to $16.00 after (a) taking into account the dilutive effect of any Earnout Shares that have been or would be issued at Earnout Triggering Event III, and, if applicable, Earnout Triggering Event I and Earnout Triggering Event II, and (b) excluding any AltC founder shares that have been or would be forfeited pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement.
Each Earnout Triggering Event was subject to certain conditions and other provisions. The stock trading price, as described above, was based upon the closing price per share of Class A common stock, as quoted on the NYSE for any 20 trading days within any 60 consecutive trading day period within the Earnout Period (the “stock trading price”). If any of the Earnout Triggering Events, as described in the foregoing, were not achieved within the Earnout Period, the Earnout Shares issuable upon the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Triggering Event would have been forfeited.
Founder Shares – At the Closing, the AltC founder shares unvested and will revest over a five-year period following the Closing (the “Vesting Period”), up to 12,500,000 shares of Class A common stock (the “Founder Shares”), in the aggregate in four tranches upon the occurrence of each Vesting Triggering Event as follows:
•Vesting Trigger Event I required the vesting of 6,250,000 of the Founder Shares when the stock trading price equals or exceeds $10.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or in the event of a Sale (as defined in the Sponsor Agreement) of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock paid or implied in such Sale equals or exceeds $10.00 per share;
•Vesting Trigger Event II required the vesting of 3,125,000 of the Founder Shares when the stock trading price equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or in the event of a Sale of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock paid or implied in such Sale equals or exceeds $12.00 per share;
•Vesting Trigger Event III required the vesting of 1,562,500 of the Founder Shares when the stock trading price equals or exceeds $14.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or in the event of a Sale of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock paid or implied in such Sale equals or exceeds $14.00 per share; and
•Vesting Trigger Event IV required the vesting of 1,562,500 of the Founder Shares when the stock trading price equals or exceeds $16.00 per share for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period or in the event of a Sale of Oklo pursuant to which holders of Class A common stock paid or implied in such Sale equals or exceeds $16.00 per share.
Each Vesting Triggering Event was subject to certain conditions. In each case, the price paid or implied in such Sale was to be determined after (i) taking into account the dilutive effect of any Earnout Shares that would have been issued at Earnout Triggering Event I, Earnout Triggering Event II and Earnout Triggering Event III, as applicable, and (ii) excluding any Founder Shares that would have been forfeited pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement (i.e., the unvested Founder Shares that did not vest upon the occurrence of a Sale will be forfeited immediately prior to the closing of such Sale). If any of the Vesting Triggering Events, as described in the foregoing, were not achieved within the Vesting Period, the Founder Shares would have been forfeited.
The Earnout Shares, excluding those attributable to the Legacy Oklo vested option holders, and the Founder Shares are referred to as the “Earnout Awards.”
Accounting for the Earnout Awards – The Earnout Shares, exclusive of Earnout Shares attributable to the Legacy Oklo vested options at Closing as further described below, and the Founder Shares were recorded at fair value at Closing of the Business Combination and equity classified. Upon closing of the Business Combination, the estimated fair value of the Earnout Shares and Founder Shares was $261,716 and $226,219, respectively. Because the Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, the fair value of the Earnout Shares was treated as a deemed dividend at the measurement date and the fair value of the Founder Shares were recorded as transaction costs. As the Company is in an accumulated deficit position as of the measurement date, the Company recorded the issuance of the Earnout Shares in additional paid-in capital (“APIC”), with a corresponding offset recorded to APIC, resulting in a net-nil impact on the APIC balance. The Company recorded the issuance of the Founder Shares as a transaction cost in APIC. For the Earnout Shares attributable to the Legacy Oklo vested options, where each Legacy Oklo vested option holder will receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares as if their Legacy Oklo vested options were outstanding at the Closing of the Business Combination pursuant to the applicable Earnout Triggering Event, the consolidated statement of operations reflects a noncash stock-based compensation expense of $7,784 representing the incremental costs of the modification of Legacy Oklo’s awards for the vested options holders’ contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares recorded at the Closing.
Issuance of Class A Common Stock Related to the Earnout Awards – After the Business Combination and during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued: (1) 14,266,446 shares of its Class A common stock underlying the Earnout Shares where the related Earnout Triggering Events were met between November 12, 2024 and November 13, 2024, (2) 433,348 shares of its Class A common stock underlying the Earnout Shares attributable to Legacy Oklo vested options, and (3) 12,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock underlying the Founder Shares where the related Vesting Triggering Events were met between November 5, 2024 and November 13, 2024 (collectively each Earnout Triggering Event and each Vesting Triggering Event are each "Triggering Event"). Each Triggering Event occurred by virtue of the Company’s trading price being equal to or greater than the per share price for each Triggering Event for 20 trading days within a 60 consecutive trading day period. An additional 300,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock that was eligible to be issued related to the Earnout Shares were forfeited for no consideration and no shares were issued.
Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis – The fair value of the Earnout Shares and Founder Shares at the Closing was estimated using the Company’s Class A common stock price discounted based on the probability of each Triggering Event being met, and thus represents a Level 2 fair value measurement as defined in ASC 820.
Business Combination
As part of the Business Combination, in the case of holders of Legacy Oklo options, each outstanding Legacy Oklo option was converted into an option to purchase, based on the Exchange Ratio (as described below), upon the same terms and conditions as were in effect with respect to the corresponding Legacy Oklo option immediately prior to the Closing, including with respect to vesting and termination-related provisions, a number of shares of Class A common stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to the product of (x) the number of Legacy Oklo common stock underlying such Legacy Oklo option immediately prior to the Closing and (y) the number of shares of Class A common stock issued in respect of each Legacy Oklo common stock in the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the exercise price per Legacy Oklo common stock underlying such Legacy Oklo option immediately prior to the Closing divided by (B) the number of shares of Class A common stock issued in respect of each Legacy Oklo common stock in the Business Combination pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the Closing, the adjustments giving effect to the Business Combination and related transactions are summarized below:
•the Merger of Merger Sub, the wholly owned subsidiary of AltC, with and into Legacy Oklo, with Legacy Oklo as the surviving company;
•each share of Legacy Oklo common stock, including shares of Legacy Oklo common stock issued upon the pre-Closing conversion of Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock and Legacy Oklo SAFEs, was automatically surrendered and no longer exists, and was exchanged, in the aggregate, for an amount equal to $10.00 per share of Class A common stock; and
•the exchange of all outstanding vested and unvested Legacy Oklo stock options into stock options exercisable for shares of Class A common stock with the same terms except for the number of shares exercisable and the exercise price, each of which was adjusted using the Exchange Ratio.
At the Closing, each share of Legacy Oklo common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing was automatically surrendered and exchanged for 78,996,459 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as further described in Note 11) and issued to the Company’s stockholders in exchange for all outstanding shares of Legacy Oklo common stock (including shares of Legacy Oklo common stock resulting from the conversion of Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock and Legacy Oklo SAFEs immediately prior to the Closing) at the exchange ratio of 6.062 (the “Exchange Ratio”) pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Further, 1,450,000 shares of Class A common stock were issued in exchange for AltC private placement shares held by the Sponsor pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement (the “AltC private placement shares”). A reserve was established for issuance up to: (i) 10,432,749 shares of Class A common stock in respect of the Legacy Oklo options assumed pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement; and (ii) 15,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for the potential future issuance of the Earnout Shares, as outlined above.
The total number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock outstanding immediately following the Closing of the Business Combination consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Common Stock (1) |
Legacy Oklo stockholders (2) |
78,996,459 |
|
Sponsor stockholders (as defined in Note 11) (3) |
13,950,000 |
|
AltC public stockholders (as defined in Note 11) (4) |
29,149,811 |
|
Total AltC stockholders |
43,099,811 |
|
Total Class A common stock |
122,096,270 |
|
(1) The table does not include the 15,000,000 shares underlying the Earnout Shares and 10,432,749 shares underlying the Legacy Oklo options.
(2) The table includes 70,588,565 shares issued to Legacy Oklo stockholders (consisting of (i) 39,923,611 shares issued to Legacy Oklo Preferred stockholders (for further details see Note 10) and 28,921,953 shares issued to Legacy Oklo common stockholders as of January 1, 2023 (determined by taking the 4,771,025 shares of Legacy Oklo outstanding common stock multiplied by the Exchange Ratio of 6.062), together totaling 68,845,564 shares that represent the retroactive application of the recapitalization), (ii) 1,345,625 shares issued to holders of Legacy Oklo options upon the exercise of options from January 1, 2024 through May 9, 2024 and (iii) 397,376 shares issued to holders of Legacy Oklo options upon the exercise of options during the year ended December 31, 2023), and 8,407,894 shares issued upon conversion of the Legacy Oklo SAFEs (for further details see Note 7) outstanding immediately before the Business Combination, together the 70,588,565 and 8,407,894 totaling 78,996,459.
(3) The table includes 12,500,000 shares issued to the Sponsor representing the Founder Shares that will vest and no longer be subject to forfeiture pursuant to the applicable Vesting Triggering Event and 1,450,000 shares issued in exchange for AltC private placement shares held by the Sponsor pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement.
(4) The AltC public stockholders represent the Class A common stock subject to redemption held by the AltC stockholders immediately before the Closing (for further details see Note 11).
Transaction Costs
Transaction costs consist of direct legal, consulting, audit and other fees related to the consummation of the Business Combination, in addition to the Founder Shares that were recorded as a transaction cost in APIC. These costs were initially capitalized as incurred and recorded in prepaid and other current assets as deferred issuance costs on the consolidated balance sheets. Upon the Closing and the issuance of the Earnout Shares during the year ended December 31, 2024, transaction costs directly related to the issuance of shares of Class A common stock and issuance of the Earnout Shares totaling $14,662 and $1,906, respectively, consisting of legal and professional fees, were recognized as an offset to APIC totaling $16,568 on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit).
4.Balance Sheet Components
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Prepaid and other current assets are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Prepaid expense |
$ |
2,119 |
|
|
$ |
370 |
|
Deferred issuance costs |
— |
|
|
3,710 |
|
Costs-share receivables |
600 |
|
|
126 |
|
Accrued interest receivable |
1,138 |
|
|
— |
|
Rent security |
143 |
|
|
— |
|
Refundable deposit |
125 |
|
|
125 |
|
Total prepaid and other current assets |
$ |
4,125 |
|
|
$ |
4,331 |
|
Prepaid expenses include prepaid consulting fees, insurance premiums, rent and other charges. The deferred issuance costs were specific incremental costs of the Business Combination. Cost-share receivables refer to the monetary assets obtained by the Company through several R&D cost-share projects related to nuclear recycling technologies awarded by the DOE’s ARPA-E. Refundable deposit represents an advance payment for the grant of a right to purchase certain land, subject to certain conditions.
Prepaid expenses are amortized over the straight-line method over the contract term. The deferred issuance costs have been charged against the proceeds of the recapitalization. Cost-share receivables are recorded as eligible costs are incurred. The refundable deposit will either be applied to the final purchase price of the land or refunded, as amended, no later than June 30, 2025.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Computers and equipment |
$ |
366 |
|
|
$ |
197 |
|
Furniture, fixtures and machinery |
146 |
|
|
65 |
|
Software |
1,020 |
|
|
392 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
45 |
|
|
31 |
|
Total property and equipment, gross |
1,577 |
|
|
685 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(375) |
|
|
(107) |
|
Total property and equipment, net |
$ |
1,202 |
|
|
$ |
578 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 totaled $268 and $75, respectively.
Accrued Expenses and Other
Accrued expenses and other are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Accrued professional fees |
$ |
652 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Accrued payroll and bonuses |
636 |
|
|
197 |
|
Credit card liabilities |
261 |
|
|
156 |
|
Franchise and income taxes payable |
202 |
|
|
— |
|
General accrued expenses |
134 |
|
|
483 |
|
Total accrued expenses and other |
$ |
1,885 |
|
|
$ |
836 |
|
5.Leases
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had commercial real estate sublease agreements for office space under operating leases.
The table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Operating lease costs during the year |
$ |
321 |
|
|
$ |
340 |
|
Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities during the year |
$ |
289 |
|
|
$ |
225 |
|
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining lease right-of-use assets during the year |
$ |
1,185 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in months) as of year-end |
24 |
|
5 |
Weighted-average discount rate during the year |
8.76% |
|
6.85% |
The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rates on a collateralized basis, reflecting the Company’s credit quality and the term of the lease at the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of future payments since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable.
Variable lease expense includes rental increases that are not fixed, such as those based on amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, such as maintenance and utilities.
The components of operating lease costs were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Operating lease costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
$ |
234 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
Sales, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
130 |
|
Total operating lease costs (1) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
321 |
|
|
$ |
340 |
|
(1) Month-to-month lease arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $184 and $138, respectively, are included in operating lease costs.
The minimum lease payments below do not include common area maintenance charges, which are contractual obligations under the Company’s lease, but are not fixed and can fluctuate from year to year and are expensed as incurred. Common area maintenance charges for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $111 and $90 respectively, are included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
Maturities of the operating lease liabilities are summarized as follows as of December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, |
|
2025 |
$ |
548 |
|
2026 |
566 |
|
Minimum lease payments |
1,114 |
|
Less imputed interest |
(90) |
|
Present value of operating lease liabilities |
$ |
1,024 |
|
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
$ |
481 |
|
Noncurrent portion of operating lease liabilities |
543 |
|
Total operating lease liabilities |
$ |
1,024 |
|
6.Financial Instruments
The following table shows the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities by significant investment category as of December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost (1) |
|
Unrealized Gains |
|
Unrealized Losses |
|
Fair Value |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
Current Marketable Securities |
|
Noncurrent Marketable Securities |
Cash |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
3,020 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Level 1: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market funds |
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
94,112 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
U.S. Treasury securities |
156,040 |
|
|
1,688 |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
157,722 |
|
|
— |
|
|
110,249 |
|
|
47,473 |
|
Subtotal |
156,040 |
|
|
1,688 |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
157,722 |
|
|
94,112 |
|
|
110,249 |
|
|
47,473 |
|
Level 2 (2): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial paper |
19,902 |
|
|
531 |
|
|
— |
|
|
20,433 |
|
|
— |
|
|
20,433 |
|
|
— |
|
Total |
$ |
175,942 |
|
|
$ |
2,219 |
|
|
$ |
(6) |
|
|
$ |
178,155 |
|
|
$ |
97,132 |
|
|
$ |
130,682 |
|
|
$ |
47,473 |
|
(1) There was no allowance for expected credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2024 as the unrealized losses were deemed to be temporary in nature.
(2) The valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of the Company’s Level 2 financial instruments, which generally have counterparties with high credit ratings, are based on quoted market prices or model-driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s noncurrent marketable debt securities, by contractual maturity, as of December 31, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due within 1 year |
$ |
130,682 |
|
Due after 1 year through 5 years |
47,473 |
|
Total fair value |
$ |
178,155 |
|
As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $9,868.
7.Simple Agreements for Future Equity
The Company issued simple agreements for future equity (the “Legacy Oklo SAFEs”) to investors (the “SAFEs”) prior to the Business Combination. The SAFEs allowed investors to purchase equity at a negotiated price at the time of each investor’s entry into such agreement with each investor receiving equity in the future with no set time for conversion. The SAFEs provided for conversion on an equity financing, as further described below, if such equity financing is consummated. The SAFEs generally focused on equity rounds; however, there were terms included for a liquidity event (as further described below) or dissolution event, which allowed for conversion into equity or cash at the option of the holder under certain circumstances. The Company determined that the SAFEs were not a legal form of an outstanding share or a legal form debt (i.e., no creditors’ rights), therefore, the Company evaluated the SAFEs to determine whether they must be classified as a liability under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued SAFEs in exchange for aggregate proceeds of $10,232 and $18,985, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company received total cash proceeds of $10,232 and $19,325, respectively.
Pursuant the terms of the SAFEs, upon a future equity financing involving preferred shares, SAFEs will settle into a number of preferred shares equal to the greater of (i) the number of shares of standard preferred stock equal to the amount invested under the SAFE divided by the lowest price per share of the standard preferred stock, or (ii) the invested amount of the SAFE divided by a discounted price to the price investors pay to purchase the standard preferred shares in the financing (with such discounted price calculated by reference to a valuation cap). Alternatively, upon the occurrence of a change of control, a direct listing or an initial public offering (described as a “liquidity event”) (other than a qualified financing), the investors had the option to receive either (i) cash payment equal to the invested amount under such SAFE, or (ii) a number of shares of common stock equal to the invested amount divided by the liquidity price set forth in the applicable SAFE. Given the SAFEs included a provision allowing for the investors to receive a portion of the proceeds upon a change of control equal to the greater of their investment amount or the amount payable based upon a number of shares of common stock equal to the investment amount divided by the liquidity price, the occurrence of which is outside the control of the Company, this provision required the SAFEs to be classified as a liability pursuant to ASC 480 because a change in control is an event that was considered not under the sole control of the Company (see Note 8).
Further, if a dissolution event occurred prior to the termination of the SAFEs, the investors would have been entitled to receive a portion of the related proceeds equal to the purchase amount (or the amount received for the SAFE).
In connection with and prior to the Business Combination, the Company and the SAFE investors amended the SAFEs to convert in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, all of which converted at the Closing as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legacy Oklo SAFEs |
Outstanding Principal Balance of SAFEs Before Closing |
|
Legacy Oklo Price Per Share Upon Conversion |
|
Legacy Oklo Common Stock Issuable |
|
Exchange Ratio |
|
Class A Common Stock Issued at Closing (1) |
Valuation cap of $300,000,000 |
$ |
13,995 |
|
|
$ |
22.445945 |
|
|
623,487 |
|
|
6.062 |
|
3,779,578 |
|
Valuation cap of $500,000,000 |
28,562 |
|
|
37.409909 |
|
|
763,496 |
|
|
6.062 |
|
4,628,316 |
|
Total |
$ |
42,557 |
|
|
|
|
1,386,983 |
|
|
|
|
8,407,894 |
|
(1) For further details, refer to Note 3.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the outstanding principal balances for the SAFEs were $0 and $32,325, respectively.
8.Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s SAFEs were recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Company’s SAFEs were based on significant inputs not observable in the market, which cause the instrument to be classified as a Level 3 measurement with the fair value hierarchy. The valuation used probabilities considering pay-offs under various scenarios as described above. As such, the Company determined the fair value of the SAFEs under the Monte Carlo simulation method which was used to estimate the future market value of invested capital (“MVIC”) of the Company at a liquidity event and the expected payment to the Legacy Oklo SAFE holders at each simulated MVIC value. The Company believed these assumptions would be made by a market participant in estimating the valuation of the SAFEs. The Company assesses these assumptions and estimates on an on-going basis as additional data impacting the assumptions and estimates are obtained. Changes in the fair value of the SAFEs were recognized on the consolidated statements of operations.
The key assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation as of December 31, 2024 are presented in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset volatility (1) |
|
85.8% |
Risk-free rate (2) |
|
3.8% |
Expected term (3) |
|
60 months |
(1) Asset volatility measures the uncertainty about the realization of expected future returns that was estimated based on the methodologies assuming default risk based on the implied and historical volatility of the share price of peer companies.
(2) Risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of SAFEs consistent with the expected term.
(3) The simulation considers a total 5-year term. If there are no events occurring within 5 years, then the SAFE holders are expected to receive their principal amount.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Beginning balance |
$ |
46,042 |
|
|
$ |
13,340 |
|
SAFEs issued during the period |
10,232 |
|
|
18,985 |
|
Change in fair value during the period (1) |
27,864 |
|
|
13,717 |
|
Change in fair value upon conversion on SAFEs at Closing |
(84,138) |
|
|
— |
|
Ending balance |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
46,042 |
|
(1) The final measurement of fair value at Closing was calculated using the intrinsic value of the SAFEs upon the conversion to common stock.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the estimated fair value of the SAFEs were $0 and $46,042, respectively. The change in fair value during the years ended, as reflected in the above table, is included in other income (loss) on the consolidated statements of operations.
9.Right of First Refusal Liability
On February 16, 2024, the Company entered into a letter of intent (the “LOI”) with an unrelated third party (the “third party”) for the purchase of power from the Company’s planned powerhouses to serve certain data centers in the U.S. on a 20-year timeline, and at a rate to be formally specified in one or more future Power Purchase Agreement(s) (each a “PPA”) (subject to the requirement that the price meets the market rate, discount and most favored nation terms contained in the agreement). In addition, the third party will have the right to renew and extend PPAs for additional 20-year terms.
The LOI, provides for the third party to have a continuing right of first refusal for a period of thirty-six (36) months following its execution to purchase energy output produced by certain powerhouses developed by the Company in the U.S., subject to certain provisions and excluded powerhouses, for power capacity of no less than 100 MWe of energy output and up to cumulative maximum of 500 MWe of total energy output (the “ROFR”). In exchange for the ROFR and other rights contained in the LOI, in March 2024, the third party paid the Company $25,000 (the “Payment”). In connection with the Payment, the Company agreed to supply power at a discount to the most favored nation pricing that the Company is required to provide to the third party in a future PPA (location to be determined); provided, that pricing set out in a PPA will include an additional discount if needed such that the total savings against most favored nation pricing over the course of the PPA is equivalent to the Payment. The Payment is effectively a nonrefundable upfront payment that will be attributed to future power delivery. The third party can assign its rights under the LOI, in whole or in part, at any time. As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding balance under the right of first refusal liability was $25,000, as reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.
10.Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
The following table presents the issuance of the Company’s Class A common stock after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio upon consummation of the Business Combination on a one-to-one basis immediately before the Closing for the issued and outstanding shares of the Legacy Oklo Preferred Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock Series |
|
Shares Issued and Outstanding Before Closing (1) |
|
Exchange Ratio |
|
Class A Common Stock Issued at Closing (1) |
Preferred Stock Series A-1 |
|
4,526,703 |
|
6.062 |
|
|
27,440,874 |
|
Preferred Stock Series A-2 |
|
55,135 |
|
6.062 |
|
|
334,228 |
Preferred Stock Series A-3 |
|
2,004,043 |
|
6.062 |
|
|
12,148,509 |
Totals |
|
6,585,881 |
|
|
|
39,923,611 |
|
(1) For further details, refer to the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity (deficit) for the year ended December 31, 2023 in reference to the reverse recapitalization.
11.Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 9, 2024, pursuant to the Restated Certificate filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), authorized the Company to issue 501,000,000 shares of all classes of capital stock consisting of (i) 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (further details are provided below), par value of $0.0001 per share and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (further details are provided below). Subject to the special rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the number shares of preferred stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) by affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Company entitled to vote.
Class A Common Stock
Pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, immediately upon the effectiveness of the filing of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (i) each share of Class A common stock subject to redemption held by AltC stockholders (the “AltC public stockholders”) was reclassified on a one-for-one basis as one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, (ii) each share of AltC Class A common stock (i.e., the AltC private placement shares) held by the Sponsor was reclassified on a one-for-one basis as one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, and (iii) each share of AltC Class B common stock (i.e., the Founder Shares) held by the Sponsor was converted on a one-for-one basis into a share of Company’s Class A common stock (the “Sponsor stockholders”).
The holders of Class A common stock have one vote for each share of common stock held of record by such holder as of the applicable record date. Subject to the special rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock to elect directors, there were seven (7) directors at the time of filing the Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Thereafter, the number of directors will be exclusively fixed from time to time by resolution of a majority of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). Subject to the special rights of holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock to elect directors, the Board is divided into three classes with the term of each director expiring on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected, as follows: Class I, with a term expiring at the first annual meeting; Class II, with a term expiring at the second annual meeting; and Class III, with a term expiring at the third annual meeting.
Reserve of Class A Common Stock – As of December 31, 2024, the Company reserved the following shares of its Class A common stock: (i) 9,470,382 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options under the Oklo Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan”); (ii) 15,872,516 shares of Class A common stock issuable for potential future awards, subject to certain annual increases commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending on January 1, 2034, under the Oklo Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”); and (iii) 2,441,926 shares of Class A common stock authorized for future issuance, subject to certain annual increases commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending on January 1, 2034, under the Oklo Inc. 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2024 ESPP”). Further details of the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan, the 2024 Plan and 2024 ESPP are described in Note 12.
Exercise of Stock Options – During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued shares of its Class A common stock upon the exercise of stock options totaling 2,256,157 and 397,376, respectively, with proceeds of $1,044 and $114, respectively.
Earnout Awards – As discussed above in Note 3, during the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued: (1) 14,699,794 shares of its Class A common stock related to the Earnout Shares, including 433,348 shares of its Class A common stock related to the Earnout Shares attributable to Legacy Oklo vested options, and (2) 12,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock related to the Founder Shares.
Preferred Stock
There are no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Class A common stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the preferred stock of any series as may be designated by the Board upon any issuance of the preferred stock of any series.
12.Stock-based Compensation
Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan – Under the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan only stock options have been awarded. The options with a time-based vesting schedule vest at the rate of 20% per year over a period of 5 years, beginning one year following the related grant date, and expire ten years from the date of the grant. Options with milestone-based vesting vest upon completion of milestones specific to each grant. Effective as of May 9, 2024, the Company is no longer issuing new awards under the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan. As of December 31, 2024, options to purchase 9,470,382 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding under the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan.
2024 Plan – The 2024 Plan provides for the issuance of stock options (which may be incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock-based awards to eligible employees, consultants, advisors and non-employee directors. Awards under the 2024 Plan cover shares of Class A common stock. Stock options and SARs granted pursuant to the 2024 Plan are subject to a maximum term of ten (10) years. Since the 2024 Plan's inception, only RSUs have been awarded under the 2024 Plan. The 2024 Plan will terminate automatically ten (10) years after its adoption by the Board. As of December 31, 2024, 1,386,998 restricted stock units were outstanding under the 2024 Plan, of which 134,832 have vested and 1,252,166 remain unvested.
2024 ESPP – The 2024 ESPP provides eligible employees with an opportunity to purchase Class A common stock from the Company at a pre-determined discounted price and to pay for such purchases through payroll deductions or other approved contributions during “offering periods” under the 2024 ESPP. The 2024 ESPP will terminate automatically twenty (20) years after its adoption by the Board. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has not granted any rights to purchase Class A common stock under the 2024 ESPP.
Compensation costs for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was estimated for stock options based on the grant date fair value using a Black-Scholes option valuation model, consistent with authoritative guidance utilizing the following assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Expected volatility |
79.67% |
|
75.63% - 78.47% |
Expected dividend yield |
0% |
|
0% |
Risk-free interest rate |
4.08% |
|
3.64% – 4.87% |
Expected term |
6.3 years |
|
6.3 years |
Expected Volatility – Legacy Oklo determined volatility based on the historical volatilities of comparable publicly traded companies over a period equal to the expected term because it has no trading history for its common stock price. The comparable companies were chosen based on the similar size, stage in the life cycle, or area of specialty. The Company will continue to apply this process until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding volatility on its own stock becomes available.
Expected Dividend Yield – The Company has not, and does not, intend to pay dividends.
Risk-free Interest Rate – The Company applies the risk-free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant consistent with the expected term of the award.
Expected Term – The Company calculates the expected term using the simplified method. This method uses the average of the contractual term of the option and the weighted-average vesting period in accordance with authoritative guidance.
Fair Value of Common Stock – The grant date fair market value of the shares of common stock underlying stock options has historically been determined by the Company’s Board. Prior to the Closing, there was no public market for the Company’s common stock, therefore, the Board exercised reasonable judgment and considered a number of objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair market value, which included contemporaneous valuations performed by a third-party, important developments in the Company’s operations, sales of redeemable convertible preferred stock, the rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock relative to those of its common stock, lack of marketability of its common stock, actual operating results, financial performance, the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the Company’s security holders, the trends, the economy in general, the stock price performance and volatility of comparable public companies. After the Closing, the grant date fair market value is determined based on the Company's Class A common stock trading price.
A summary of the stock option award activity during the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) |
Class A common stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2024 |
|
11,426,653 |
|
$ |
1.59 |
|
|
8.47 |
Granted |
|
351,717 |
|
4.37 |
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
(2,256,157) |
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
(51,831) |
|
3.18 |
|
|
|
Class A common stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2024 |
|
9,470,382 |
|
1.95 |
|
|
7.91 |
Class A common stock awards exercisable at December 31, 2024 |
|
3,256,613 |
|
1.29 |
|
|
6.96 |
Class A common stock awards not vested at December 31, 2024 |
|
6,213,769 |
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock available for future issuance under the 2024 Plan represent 15,872,516 of authorized shares; less 1,386,998 restricted stock units outstanding.
As of December 31, 2024 there was approximately $9,635 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan. There are 483,748 unvested options under the Legacy Oklo 2016 Plan for which the requisite service period has not been rendered that are subject to vesting based on the achievement of a performance condition. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.74 years.
The aggregate grant date fair values of Class A common stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1,108 and $11,343, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of Class A common stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $3.15 and $2.27, respectively.
The intrinsic value for stock options exercised represents the difference between the fair value based on the valuation of the shares of Class A common stock as of the reporting date and the exercise price of the stock option. The total intrinsic values of Class A common stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $28,537 and $1,112, respectively. The total fair value of Class A common stock options vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $2,916 and $239, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, the intrinsic value of exercisable, in-the-money Class A common stock options was $64,930, and the aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding, in-the-money options, including both exercisable and unvested options, was $182,604, both based on the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock trading price at December 31, 2024 of $21.23 per share.
A summary of restricted stock unit award activity during the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Units |
|
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
|
|
Unvested |
|
Vested |
|
Restricted stock units, beginning balance |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Granted |
|
1,390,298 |
|
— |
|
|
8.02 |
Vested |
|
(134,832) |
|
134,832 |
|
|
7.78 |
Forfeited |
|
(3,300) |
|
— |
|
|
7.46 |
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2024 |
|
1,252,166 |
|
134,832 |
|
|
8.02 |
As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $9,128 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock units granted under the 2024 Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.97 years.
The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1,049.
Stock-based compensation expense charged to operations is summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,797 |
|
|
$ |
398 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
4,687 |
|
|
379 |
|
Total costs charged to operations (1) |
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,484 |
|
|
$ |
777 |
|
(1) Year ended December 31, 2024 includes $7,784 of incremental costs of the modification of Legacy Oklo’s awards for the vested options-holders’ contingent right to receive a pro rata share of the Earnout Shares recorded at the Closing.
13.Income Taxes
There were $683 and $0 of state current income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and no deferred income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$ |
3,078 |
|
|
$ |
2,320 |
|
R&D credit |
2,443 |
|
|
1,424 |
|
Capitalized R&D expenses |
5,617 |
|
|
2,647 |
|
Capitalized start-up expenses |
15,628 |
|
|
4,652 |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
216 |
|
|
— |
|
Stock-based compensation |
394 |
|
|
80 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
73 |
|
|
17 |
|
Accrued expenses |
— |
|
|
44 |
|
Deferred tax assets |
27,449 |
|
|
11,184 |
|
Valuation allowance |
(26,775) |
|
|
(11,184) |
|
Total deferred tax assets |
674 |
|
|
— |
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
Right-of-use assets |
(207) |
|
|
— |
|
Unrealized gain on marketable securities |
(467) |
|
|
— |
|
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(674) |
|
|
— |
|
Net deferred assets |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
The Company regularly assesses the ability to realize deferred tax assets recorded based upon the weight of available evidence, including such factors as recent earnings history, and expected future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. In the event that the Company changes its determination as to the amount of realizable deferred tax assets, the Company will adjust its valuation allowance with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. Due to the uncertainty surrounding their realization, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, no deferred tax asset has been recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s unamortized capitalized R&D expenses of approximately $26,620 and $12,490, respectively, will be amortized in varying amounts through 2029 for tax purposes. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company capitalized certain start-up costs of approximately $30,190 and $21,950, respectively, that will be amortized over a 180-month period beginning with the month in which the Company is considered to be in an active trade or business for tax purposes.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $14,596 and $11,022, respectively, of which approximately $12,975 for federal purposes do not expire (limited to 80% of taxable income in a given year). As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company's state net operating loss carryforwards were not material.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had federal research credit carryforwards of $2,443 and approximately $1,420, respectively. The federal research credit carryforwards will expire at various dates beginning in the year 2035. The Company may be entitled to claim additional state income tax credits for its 2024 R&D activities, but these amounts have not yet been determined. Any R&D credits generated by the Company in 2024 would result in an additional deferred tax asset that would be subject to a full valuation allowance.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses in the event of an “ownership change” of a corporation. Accordingly, a Company’s ability to use net operating losses may be limited as prescribed under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“Section 382”). Events which may cause limitations in the amount of the net operating losses that the Company may use in any one year include, but are not limited to, a cumulative ownership change of more than 50% over a three-year period. Utilization of the federal and state net operating losses may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Section 382 and similar state provision.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The Company is generally no longer subject to tax examinations for years prior to 2021 for federal purposes and 2020 for state purposes, except in certain limited circumstances.
The benefit for income taxes differs from the amount obtained by applying the federal statutory income tax rate as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Federal taxes at statutory rate |
21.0 |
% |
|
21.0 |
% |
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit |
(0.7) |
% |
|
0.2 |
% |
Tax credit carryforward generated |
1.8 |
% |
|
1.9 |
% |
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities |
(0.6) |
% |
|
0.0 |
% |
Valuation allowance |
(21.4) |
% |
|
(13.7) |
% |
Nondeductible change in fair value of SAFE |
(8.0) |
% |
|
(9.0) |
% |
Transaction costs |
2.1 |
% |
|
0.0 |
% |
Interest expense |
1.6 |
% |
|
0.0 |
% |
Stock-based compensation |
3.8 |
% |
|
0.0 |
% |
Other differences |
(0.5) |
% |
|
(0.4) |
% |
Effective Income Tax Rate |
(0.9) |
% |
|
0.0 |
% |
The effective tax rate for 2024 is lower than the statutory federal tax rate primarily due to a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets.
The following table represents a roll forward of the qualifying accounts consisting of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets - beginning of year |
$ |
11,184 |
|
|
$ |
6,777 |
|
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the year |
15,591 |
|
4,407 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets - end of year |
$ |
26,775 |
|
|
$ |
11,184 |
|
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Balance at beginning of year |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Additions for tax positions taken in prior year |
142 |
|
|
— |
|
Additions for tax positions related to the current year |
129 |
|
|
— |
Balance at end of year |
$ |
271 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
If fully recognized in the future, there would be no impact to the effective tax rate, and $271 would result in adjustments to the valuation allowance. Interest and penalties related to the unrecognized tax benefits were insignificant period presented. The Company does not have tax positions that are expected to significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.
14.Retirement Plan
The Company has a qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan that allows eligible employees of the Company to participate in the plan, subject to limitations. The plan allows for discretionary matching contributions by the Company, up to 4% of eligible annual compensation made by participants of the plan. The Company contributions to the plan were $487 and $267 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
15.Commitments and Contingencies
Contract Commitments
The Company enters into contracts in the normal course of business with third-party contract research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations and other service providers and vendors. These contracts generally provide for termination on notice and, therefore, are cancellable contracts and not considered contractual obligations and commitments (further details are under the heading Operating Lease Agreement in Note 17).
Lease Option Agreement
The Company entered into a non-assignable (unless agreed to the parties) lease option agreement (the “Lease Option”) where it agreed to pay $10 per month (the “option payment(s)”), starting on January 1, 2025 and automatically expiring on January 1, 2026 (the “option term”). The Company may terminate the Lease Option after July 1, 2025 with one-month written notice. As consideration for the Lease Option, the Company is required to pay $70 if the Company exercises its early termination provision, otherwise the required payments will be $120 during the option term. As consideration for the option payment(s), the Company has an exclusive right to enter into a definitive lease agreement for certain property during the option term. If a definitive lease agreement is entered into during the option term, the option payment(s) will be credited against the required lease payments under the definitive lease agreement, otherwise they will be non-refundable except for a default under the Lease Option.
Contingencies
From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, nor is it aware of any material pending or threatened litigation. There were no contingent liabilities as of December 31, 2024.
16.Segment Information
In accordance with criteria under Topic ASC 280, which establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers, the Company’s chief operating decision maker ("CODM") has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer. The Company's CODM reviews consolidated results to assess performance, make decisions, and allocates operating and capital resources of the Company as a whole, therefore, there is only one reportable segment. The CODM does not distinguish its principal business activities for the purpose of internal reporting and uses net loss to allocate resources in the annual budgeting and forecasting process, along with using that measure as a basis for evaluating financial performance quarterly by comparing the actual results with historical budgets.
Significant segment expenses that are provided to CODM on a regular basis and are included within reported measure of segment profit or loss are research and development and general and administrative. Other segment items are represented by change in fair value of simple agreements for future equity, interest and dividend income and income taxes.
The consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, reflect the significant segment expenses and other segment items, as well as the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, for the one reportable segment.
17.Subsequent Events
The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the consolidated financial statements.
Restricted Stock Units
On February 3, 2025, the Company granted 300,000 restricted stock units for shares of the Company's Class A common stock to certain employees, of which 80,000 were granted to an executive employee and 220,000 were granted to non-executive employees. The awards fully vest on November 29, 2025, subject to the applicable employee's continued service through such date.
On March 13, 2025, the Company issued 68,108 shares of its Class A common stock to certain executive employees under the 2024 Plan, which is net of shares withheld for taxes.
Atomic Alchemy Acquisition
On February 28, 2025, the Company acquired all of the common stock outstanding of Atomic Alchemy, Inc. (“Atomic Alchemy”), by way of statutory merger.
Operating Lease Agreement
Effective January 17, 2025 the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for office space located in Rockville, Maryland, with an expiration date of March 31, 2027.
Board Members
On March 4, 2025, Michael Thompson and Daniel B. Poneman were appointed as directors by the Board.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oklo Inc. |
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
Date: March 24, 2025 |
By: |
/s/ JACOB DEWITTE |
|
|
Jacob DeWitte |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
Date: March 24, 2025 |
By: |
/s/ R. CRAIG BEALMEAR |
|
|
R. Craig Bealmear |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
/s/ Jacob DeWitte |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Board Member |
Jacob DeWitte |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ R. Craig Bealmear |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
R. Craig Bealmear |
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Caroline Cochran |
|
Chief Operating Officer and Board Member |
Caroline Cochran |
|
|
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Sam Altman |
|
Sam Altman |
Sam Altman |
|
Chairman and Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael Klein |
|
Michael Klein |
Michael Klein |
|
Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael Thompson |
|
Michael Thompson |
Michael Thompson |
|
Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Daniel B. Poneman |
|
Daniel B. Poneman |
Daniel B. Poneman |
|
Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Jansen |
|
Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Jansen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Jansen |
|
Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Richard W. Kinzley |
|
Richard W. Kinzley |
Richard W. Kinzley |
|
Board Member |
Date: March 24, 2025 |
|
|
EX-4.1
2
ex41descriptionofsecurities.htm
EX-4.1
Document
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the capital stock of Oklo Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) and provisions of our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), our Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) and certain provisions of Delaware law. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into our Annual Report on Form 10-K, of which this exhibit forms a part. We encourage you to read our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for additional information.
General
Authorized and Outstanding Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of shares of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001, consisting of (a) 500,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”) and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).
Common Stock
Ranking
The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.
Voting Power
Except as otherwise required by law or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of Preferred Stock, under our Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of our Common Stock possess all voting power for the election of directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action and are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted on by stockholders. The holders of our Common Stock at all times vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Common Stock under our Certificate of Incorporation.
Dividends
Subject to limitations contained in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and our Certificate of Incorporation, under our Bylaws, our Board may, but is not required to, declare and pay dividends upon the shares of our Common Stock, which dividends may be paid either in cash, in property or in shares of Common Stock.
Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up
In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, the holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of our Common Stock held by them, after the rights of creditors of the Company and the holders of any outstanding shares of our Preferred Stock have been satisfied.
Preemptive or Other Rights
The holders of our Common Stock do not have preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to our Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. Under our Certificate of Incorporation, our Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any associated qualifications, limitations or restrictions.
The Board is also able to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. The Board has the power to authorize the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of shares of Common Stock. The issuance of shares of Preferred Stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of shares of Common Stock.
The authority of the Board with respect to each series of Preferred Stock shall include, but not be limited to, the determination of the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title; the number of shares of the series, which number the Board may thereafter increase or decrease, subject to certain restrictions under the Certificate of Incorporation; the amounts or rates at which dividends will be payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in respect of dividends, and whether such dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative; the dates on which dividends, if any, shall be payable; the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series; the terms and amount of any sinking fund, if any, provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series; the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company or upon the occurrence of any other event; whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Company or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made; restrictions on the issuance or reissuance of shares of the same series or any other class or series; the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series generally or upon specified events; and any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares, all as may be determined from time to time by the Board and stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such Preferred Stock.
Dividends
The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, the terms of any outstanding indebtedness and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends is within the discretion of the Board. In addition, it is not currently contemplated or anticipated that any stock dividends will be declared in the foreseeable future. Further, if the Company incurs any indebtedness, its ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants it may agree to in connection therewith.
Transfers
Transfers of shares of capital stock of the Company shall be made only on the books of the Company or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of capital stock of the Company. Subject to applicable law, shares of capital stock represented by certificates shall be transferred only on the books of the Company by the surrender to the Company or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the Company or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by the Bylaws, the Company shall be entitled to treat the record holder of capital stock as shown on its books as the owner of such capital stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such capital stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such capital stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Some provisions of Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions may delay, deter or prevent transactions that stockholders might consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for shares of our Common Stock.
These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with the Board. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging certain takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms and enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value.
Authorized Preferred Stock
The ability of the Board, without action by the stockholders, to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued Preferred Stock with voting or other rights or preferences as designated by the Board could impede the success of any attempt to change control of the Company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Company.
Stockholder Meetings
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that a special meeting of the stockholders may be called only by the majority of the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exists any vacancies in previously authorized directorships, the Chair of the Board, or our Chief Executive Officer.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals to be brought before a stockholder meeting and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board or a committee of the Board.
Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our Certificate of Incorporation does not permit our stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of stockholders.
Staggered Board of Directors
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board is divided into three classes. The directors in each class serve for a three-year term with one class being elected each year by our stockholders. This system of electing directors may tend to discourage a third party from attempting to obtain control of the Company because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.
Stockholders not Entitled to Cumulative Voting
Our Certificate of Incorporation does not permit our stockholders to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.
Director Vacancies
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws authorize the Board to fill vacant directorships, including newly created seats. In addition, the number of directors constituting the Board will be set only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the Board. These provisions will prevent a stockholder from increasing the Board and gaining control of the Board by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees.
Supermajority Voting Requirements for the Amendment of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the Board or by the affirmative vote of at least 66⅔% in voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote.
In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66⅔% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company generally entitled to vote will be required to amend certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, including provisions relating to classified board structure, the size of its board, removal of its directors, special meetings of its stockholders, stockholder action by written consent, and exculpation of directors and officers.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits persons deemed to be “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly held Delaware corporation for three years following the date such persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board. Under Section 203 of the DGCL, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:
•before the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
•upon the consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or
•at or after the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66⅔% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Under certain circumstances, Section 203 of the DGCL will make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate in advance with the Board because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if the Board approves either the business combination or the transaction, which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. Section 203 of the DGCL also may have the effect of preventing changes in the Board and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
EX-19.1
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ex191oklo-insidertrading.htm
EX-19.1
ex191oklo-insidertrading
EXHIBIT 19.1 Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) Insider Trading Policy
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-1 Insider Trading Policy Table of contents Table of contents ................................................................................................................... 1 1 Purpose............................................................................................................................ 3 2 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 4 3 Policy ............................................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Prohibitions on insider trading ................................................................................. 5 3.2 Detection and prosecution of insider trading ........................................................... 5 3.3 Compliance officer ..................................................................................................... 6 3.4 Reporting violations .................................................................................................. 6 3.5 Personal responsibility .............................................................................................. 6 4 Transactions covered by this Policy ......................................................................... 7 4.1 Types of transactions covered by this Policy ............................................................ 7 4.2 Responsibilities regarding the non-public information of other companies ............ 7 4.3 Applicability of this Policy after your departure ...................................................... 7 4.4 No exceptions based on personal circumstances ...................................................... 7 4.5 Penalties for violation of insider trading laws and this Policy ................................ 8 5 Material non-public information ............................................................................... 9 5.1 “Material” information .............................................................................................. 9 5.2 “Non-public” information .........................................................................................10 6 Policies regarding material non-public information ........................................... 11 7 Trading blackout periods .......................................................................................... 12 7.1 Quarterly blackout periods ......................................................................................12 7.2 Special blackout periods...........................................................................................12 7.3 No “safe harbors” ......................................................................................................13 8 Pre-clearance of trades .............................................................................................. 14 9 Additional restrictions and guidance ..................................................................... 15 9.1 Short sales ................................................................................................................15 9.2 Derivative securities and hedging transactions ......................................................15 9.3 Using Oklo securities as collateral for loans ...........................................................15 9.4 Holding Oklo securities in margin accounts ............................................................16 9.5 Placing open orders with brokers ............................................................................16 10 Limited exceptions .................................................................................................. 17 10.1 Transactions pursuant to a trading plan that complies with SEC rules ................17 10.2 Receipt and vesting of stock options, restricted stock unites, restricted and stock appreciation rights...............................................................................................................18 10.3 Cash or cashless net exercise of stock options .........................................................18 10.4 Purchases from the employee stock purchase plan .................................................18 10.5 Stock splits, stock dividends, and similar transactions ..........................................18 10.6 Bona fide gifts and inheritance ................................................................................18 10.7 Change in form of ownership ...................................................................................19 10.8 Other exceptions ......................................................................................................19
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-2 Insider Trading Policy 11 Compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act ......................... 20 11.1 Ownership reporting obligations of directors and Section 16 officers ....................20 11.2 Notification requirements to facilitate Section 16 reporting ..................................20 11.3 Personal responsibility .............................................................................................20 12 Compliance ............................................................................................................... 21 13 Revision history ....................................................................................................... 22
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-3 Insider Trading Policy 1 Purpose Oklo Inc. and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (collectively, “Oklo” or “the Company”) prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of any non-public information you obtain in the course of your service with Oklo and the misuse of material non-public information in securities trading. It is illegal under federal securities laws for anyone to purchase or sell securities of any company while aware of, or in possession of, material nonpublic information about the company. It is also illegal to disclose such information to others who may trade in securities. This Insider Trading Policy (the “Policy”) prohibits the unauthorized disclosure and misuse of any non-public information.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-4 Insider Trading Policy 2 Scope This Policy applies to all directors, officers, employees, and agents (such as consultants and independent contractors) of Oklo and others designated by the Compliance Officer from time to time. References to Oklo include subsidiaries of Oklo. References in this Policy to “you” (as well as general references to directors, officers, employees and agents of Oklo) should also be understood to include members of your immediate family, persons with whom you share a household, persons who are your economic dependents and any other individuals or entities whose transactions in securities you direct, control or influence (including, for example, a trust or a venture or other investment fund, if you influence, direct or control transactions by the entity); provided, however, that this Policy shall not apply to any such entity, including any such venture or other investment fund, that engages in the investment of securities in the ordinary course of its business (e.g., an investment fund or partnership) if such entity has established its own insider trading controls and procedures in compliance with applicable securities laws and you have represented to Oklo that such affiliated entities: (a) engage in the investment of securities in the ordinary course of their respective businesses; (b) have established insider trading controls and procedures in compliance with applicable securities laws; and (c) are aware such securities laws prohibit any person or entity who has material, nonpublic information concerning Oklo from purchasing or selling securities of Oklo or from communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell securities). You are responsible for making sure that these other individuals and entities comply with this Policy.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-5 Insider Trading Policy 3 Policy 3.1 Prohibitions on insider trading The antifraud provisions of U.S. federal securities laws prohibit directors, officers, employees, and other individuals who possess material non-public information from trading on the basis of that information in breach of a duty of trust or confidence. It is also prohibited to trade directly or indirectly through others while aware of or in possession of such information. Your transactions, whether they be your own or others, will be considered “on the basis of” material non-public information if you are aware of the material non-public information at the time of the transaction. It is not a defense that you did not “use” the information for purposes of the transaction. Disclosing material non-public information or making recommendations or expressing opinions as to transactions in securities while aware of material non-public information (which is sometimes referred to as “tipping”) is illegal. Both the “tipper” who provides the information, recommendation, or opinion and the “tippee” who trades based on such information may be liable. Similarly, you may not engage in transactions involving the securities of any other company if you are aware of material non-public information about that company. For example, you may be aware of a proposed transaction involving a prospective business relationship or transaction with another company. If information about that transaction constitutes material non-public information for that other company, you would be prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the securities of that other company (as well as transactions involving Oklo securities, if that information is material to Oklo). “Materiality” is company-specific—information that is not material to Oklo may be material to another company. Lastly, you are also prohibited from trading Oklo shares based on rumors existing within the company concerning matters, which, if true, would be considered material non-public information. These illegal activities are commonly referred to as “insider trading.” State securities laws and securities laws of other jurisdictions also impose restrictions on insider trading. In addition, Oklo, as well as individual directors, officers, and other supervisory personnel, may be subject to liability as “controlling persons” for failure to take appropriate steps to prevent insider trading by those under their supervision, influence or control. 3.2 Detection and prosecution of insider trading The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the New York Stock Exchange use sophisticated electronic surveillance techniques to investigate and detect insider trading, and the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice pursue insider trading violations vigorously. Regulators have successfully prosecuted cases involving trading through foreign accounts, trading by family members and friends and trading involving only a small number of shares.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-6 Insider Trading Policy 3.3 Compliance officer You should direct any questions, requests or reports to Oklo’s Chief Financial Officer (“Chief Financial Officer” or “Compliance Officer”). A Compliance Officer is generally responsible for the administration of this Policy. A Compliance Officer may select others to assist with the execution of their duties. The Compliance Officer may include amendments to or departures from the terms of this Policy, to the extent consistent with the general purpose of this Policy and applicable securities laws. 3.4 Reporting violations It is your responsibility to help enforce this Policy. You should be alert to possible violations and promptly report violations or suspected violations of this Policy to a Compliance Officer. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be preserved to the greatest extent reasonably possible. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may: send a letter addressed to a Compliance Officer at Oklo, 3190 Coronado Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054 or complete an online report at https://oklo.allvoices.co/. If you make an anonymous report, please provide as much detail as possible, including any evidence that you have. 3.5 Personal responsibility You are responsible for complying with this Policy and applicable laws and regulations. You should always use your best judgment and consult with your personal legal and financial advisors, as needed. You should seek assistance from a Compliance Officer if you have any questions at all. The rules relating to insider trading can be complex, and a violation of insider trading laws can carry severe consequences.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-7 Insider Trading Policy 4 Transactions covered by this Policy 4.1 Types of transactions covered by this Policy Except as discussed in “Limited Exceptions” below, this Policy applies to all transactions involving the securities of Oklo. It also applies to all transactions involving the securities of other companies about which you possess material non-public information obtained in the course of your service with Oklo. This Policy therefore applies to purchases, sales and other transfers of common stock, options, warrants, preferred stock, debt securities (such as debentures, bonds and notes) and other securities (including distributions of securities by a venture or other investment fund to its constituent equity holders). This Policy also applies to any arrangements that affect economic exposure from changes in the prices of these securities (e.g., transactions in derivative securities (such as exchange-traded put or call options), hedging transactions, short sales and certain decisions with respect to participation in benefit plans). This Policy also applies to any offers by you with respect to the transactions discussed above. There are no exceptions from insider trading laws or this Policy based on the size of the transaction. 4.2 Responsibilities regarding the non-public information of other companies This Policy prohibits the unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of any non-public information of other companies or their securities about which you possess material non-public information obtained in the course of your service with Oklo, such as Oklo’s vendors, customers, collaborators, suppliers and competitors. This Policy also prohibits insider trading and tipping in breach of a duty of trust or confidence based on the material non-public information of other companies or their securities about which you possess material non-public information obtained in the course of your service with Oklo. 4.3 Applicability of this Policy after your departure You are expected to comply with this Policy until such time as (i) you are no longer affiliated with Oklo, (ii) you no longer possess any material non-public information subject to this Policy and (iii) if your transactions in Oklo securities are subject to a blackout period at the time you cease to be affiliated with Oklo, the end of such blackout period. If you are in possession of material non-public information when your service terminates, you may not trade in the Company’s securities until that information has become public or is no longer material. 4.4 No exceptions based on personal circumstances There may be instances where you suffer financial harm or other hardship or are otherwise required to forego a planned transaction because of the restrictions imposed by this Policy. Personal financial emergency or other personal circumstances will not limit your liability under securities laws and will not excuse a failure to comply with this Policy.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-8 Insider Trading Policy 4.5 Penalties for violation of insider trading laws and this Policy Violating securities laws can undermine investor trust, harm the reputation and integrity of the Company and result in dismissal from the Company or even serious criminal and civil charges against the individual and the Company. The Company reserves the right to take whatever disciplinary or other measure(s) it determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate in any particular situation, including disclosure of wrongdoing to governmental authorities.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-9 Insider Trading Policy 5 Material non-public information 5.1 “Material” information Information is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in deciding whether to buy, hold or sell securities or would view the information as significantly altering the total mix of information in the marketplace. In general, any information that could reasonably be expected to affect the market price of a security is likely to be material. Both positive and negative information may be material. It is not possible to define all categories of “material” information. However, some examples of information that could be regarded as material include information with respect to: • Financial results, financial condition, earnings pre-announcements, guidance, projections or forecasts, regardless of whether such information is complete or incomplete as it relates to an accounting or reporting period; note that information about the results of Oklo’s operations for a period of time that is shorter than the quarterly periods typically covered in regular publications might be material in helping predict Oklo’s financial results for the quarter; • Earnings guidance and any change to previously announced guidance; • Unusual or unanticipated items that affect earnings or events that could result in restating financial information; • Restatements of financial results, or material impairments, write-offs or restructurings; • Changes in independent auditors, or notification that Oklo may no longer rely on an audit report; • Business plans or budgets; • Creation of significant financial obligations, or any significant default under or acceleration of the payment of any financial obligation; • Impending bankruptcy or financial liquidity problems; • Significant developments involving business relationships, including entering into, modifying, or terminating significant agreements or orders with customers, suppliers, manufacturers or other business partners; • Significant new product announcements, introductions, modifications, defects or recalls or significant pricing changes or other announcements of a significant nature; • Significant developments in research and development or relating to intellectual property; • A significant cybersecurity incident, such as a data breach, or any other significant disruption, loss, potential loss, breach or unauthorized access of Oklo’s property or assets, whether at Oklo’s facilities or through Oklo’s information technology infrastructure; • Significant legal or regulatory developments, whether actual or threatened; • Major events involving Oklo’s securities, including calls of securities for redemption, adoption of stock repurchase programs, option repricings, stock splits, changes in dividend
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-10 Insider Trading Policy policies, public or private securities offerings, modification to the rights of security holders, or notice of delisting of our securities from trading on a securities exchange; • The existence of a special blackout period in which you may not trade securities; • Significant corporate events, such as a pending or proposed merger, joint venture or tender offer, a significant investment, the acquisition or disposition of a significant business or asset or a change in control of Oklo; • Major personnel changes, such as changes in senior management, restructurings, or reductions in force; and • A change in auditors. If you have any questions as to whether information should be considered “material,” you should consult with a Compliance Officer. In general, it is advisable to resolve any close questions as to the materiality of any information by assuming that the information is material. 5.2 “Non-public” information Information is considered non-public until it has been broadly disseminated to the public for long enough to be reflected in the price of the security. Broadly disseminated means the information is shared with the public in a Regulation FD-complaint method, such as a press release, a public filing with the SEC, a pre-announced public webcast or another broad, non- exclusionary form of public communication. Unless you have seen material information publicly disseminated by an official announcement (such as through a press release or SEC filing), you should assume the information is non-public. The circulation of rumors, even if accurate and reported in the media, does not constitute public dissemination. In addition, even after a public announcement, a reasonable period of time may need to lapse in order for the market to react to the information. As a general rule, you should consider information to be non-public until the third trading day that follows two full trading days after the information has been released. For example, if the Company were to make an announcement before the market opens on a Monday, you would not be permitted to trade in Oklo shares until Wednesday. If, for example, Oklo were to make an announcement after the close of the trading day on a Monday afternoon, you should not trade in Oklo securities until the beginning of the trading day on Thursday. However, depending upon the form of the announcement and the nature of the information, it is possible that information may not be fully absorbed by the marketplace until later. Any questions as to whether information is non- public should be directed to a Compliance Officer. The term “trading day” means a day on which national stock exchanges are open for trading. More specifically, Oklo securities are subject to the trading days of the New York Stock Exchange where the securities are listed.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-11 Insider Trading Policy 6 Policies regarding material non-public information This Policy prohibits the unauthorized use or disclosure of material non-public information relating to Oklo or other companies about which you possess material non-public information obtained in the course of your service with Oklo. For more information, please see the Company’s Investor Relations and Communications Policy.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-12 Insider Trading Policy 7 Trading blackout periods To limit the likelihood of trading at times when there is a significant risk of insider trading exposure, Oklo has instituted quarterly trading blackout periods and may institute special trading blackout periods from time to time. It is important to note that whether or not you are subject to blackout periods, you remain subject to the prohibitions on trading on the basis of material non-public information and any other applicable restrictions in this Policy. 7.1 Quarterly blackout periods Except as discussed in “Limited Exceptions” below, all Oklo directors, executive officers and other employees and agents (such as consultants and independent contractors) identified by Oklo as set forth on Schedule I must refrain from conducting transactions involving Oklo’s securities during quarterly blackout periods. From time to time, Oklo may identify other persons who should be subject to quarterly blackout periods, and a Compliance Officer may update and revise Schedule I as appropriate. Even if you are not specifically identified as being subject to quarterly blackout periods, you should exercise caution when engaging in transactions during quarterly blackout periods because of the heightened risk of insider trading exposure. This period is a particularly sensitive time for transactions involving Oklo’s securities from the perspective of compliance with applicable securities laws due to the fact that, during these periods, individuals may often possess or have access to material non-public information relevant to the expected financial results for the quarter. Quarterly blackout periods start at the beginning of the fifteenth calendar day of the last month of each fiscal quarter and end on the third trading day following the date of public disclosure of the financial results for that fiscal quarter. If, for example, Oklo were to release results for a completed fiscal quarter after the close of the trading day on a Monday afternoon, you should not trade in Oklo securities until the beginning of the trading day on Thursday. However, even during this trading window, if you are in possession of any material non-public information, you should not trade in Oklo securities until the information has been made publicly available or is no longer material as set forth above. Oklo will notify you when each quarterly blackout period starts and ends so that you will know when you may and may not engage in any transaction involving Oklo’s securities. You are responsible for complying with the blackout period described in this Policy regardless of whether you receive notification from Oklo about the period. Exceptions to the blackout period policy may be approved by the Compliance Officer or, in the case of exceptions for directors, the Board of Directors. 7.2 Special blackout periods From time to time, Oklo may also prohibit directors, officers, employees and agents (such as consultants and independent contractors) from engaging in transactions involving Oklo’s securities when, in the judgment of a Compliance Officer, a trading blackout is warranted. Oklo
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-13 Insider Trading Policy will generally impose special blackout periods when there are material developments known to Oklo that have not yet been disclosed to the public. For example, Oklo may impose a special blackout period in anticipation of announcing interim earnings guidance or a significant transaction or business development. Special blackout periods may be declared for any reason. Oklo will notify you if you are subject to a special blackout period, in which case you may not engage in any transaction involving Oklo’s securities until instructed that it is permissible, and you should not disclose the existence of the special blackout period to others. 7.3 No “safe harbors” There are no unconditional “safe harbors” for trades made at particular times, and you should exercise good judgment at all times. Even when a quarterly blackout period is not in effect, you may be prohibited from engaging in transactions involving Oklo’s securities because you possess material non-public information, are subject to a special blackout period or are otherwise restricted under this Policy.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-14 Insider Trading Policy 8 Pre-clearance of trades Except as discussed in “Limited Exceptions” below, directors (i.e. Board of Directors) and executive officers (i.e. Oklo’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and any member of Oklo management level Vice-President and above) must refrain from engaging in any transaction involving Oklo’s securities without first obtaining pre- clearance of the transaction from a Compliance Officer. In addition, as listed on Schedule II, Oklo has determined that certain other employees and agents (such as consultants and independent contractors) of Oklo that may have regular or special access to material non-public information must refrain from engaging in any transaction involving Oklo’s securities without first obtaining pre-clearance of the transaction from a Compliance Officer. A Compliance Officer may not engage in a transaction involving Oklo’s securities unless the other Compliance Officer/Chief Executive Officer has pre-cleared the transaction. Individuals subject to pre-clearance requirements are listed on Schedule II. From time to time, Oklo may identify other persons who should be subject to the pre-clearance requirements set forth above, and a Compliance Officer may update and revise Schedule II as appropriate. These pre-clearance procedures are intended to decrease insider trading risks associated with transactions by individuals with regular or special access to material non-public information. In addition, requiring pre-clearance of transactions by directors and officers facilitates compliance with Rule 144 resale restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the liability and reporting provisions of Section 16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Pre-clearance of a trade, however, is not a defense to a claim of insider trading and does not excuse you from otherwise complying with insider trading laws or this Policy. Further, pre-clearance of a transaction does not constitute an affirmation by Oklo or a Compliance Officer that you are not in possession of material non-public information or represent legal advice by Oklo that a proposed transaction complies with the law. If pre- clearance for a trade is granted, the Oklo employee may buy or sell the security within seven business days after clearance is granted, but only if the approved person is not aware of any material nonpublic information. If for any reason the trade is not executed within the approved seven business days, a pre-clearance must be obtained again. A Compliance Officer is under no obligation to approve a transaction submitted for pre- clearance, and may determine not to permit the transaction. A form of pre-clearance request has been included as Appendix B. At least three business days before executing any transaction, the pre-clearance form should be completed and submitted to the Compliance Officer for pre- clearance.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-15 Insider Trading Policy 9 Additional restrictions and guidance This section addresses certain types of transactions that may expose you and Oklo to significant risks. You should understand that, even though a transaction may not be expressly prohibited by this section, you are responsible for ensuring that the transaction otherwise complies with this Policy, including the general prohibition against insider trading as well as pre-clearance procedures and blackout periods, if applicable. 9.1 Short sales This Policy prohibits short sales (i.e., the sale of a security that must be borrowed to make delivery) and “selling short against the box” (i.e., a sale with a delayed delivery) with respect to Oklo securities. Short sales may signal to the market possible bad news about Oklo or a general lack of confidence in Oklo’s prospects, and an expectation that the value of Oklo’s securities will decline. In addition, short sales are effectively a bet against Oklo’s success and may reduce the seller’s incentive to improve Oklo’s performance. Short sales may also create a suspicion that the seller is engaged in insider trading. 9.2 Derivative securities and hedging transactions This Policy prohibits transactions in publicly-traded options, such as puts and calls, and other derivative securities with respect to Oklo’s securities. This prohibition extends to any hedging or similar transaction designed to decrease the risks associated with holding Oklo securities. Stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other securities issued pursuant to Oklo benefit plans or other compensatory arrangements with Oklo are not subject to this prohibition. Transactions in derivative securities may reflect a short-term and speculative interest in Oklo’s securities and may create the appearance of impropriety, even where a transaction does not involve trading on material non-public information. Trading in derivatives may also focus attention on short-term performance at the expense of Oklo’s long-term objectives. In addition, the application of securities laws to derivatives transactions can be complex, and persons engaging in derivatives transactions run an increased risk of violating securities laws. 9.3 Using Oklo securities as collateral for loans You may not pledge Oklo securities as collateral for loans without the written approval of a Compliance Officer. If you default on the loan, the lender may sell the pledged securities as collateral in a foreclosure sale. The sale, even though not initiated at your request, is still considered a sale for your benefit. If made at a time when you are aware of material non-public information or otherwise are not permitted to trade in Oklo securities, the sale may result in inadvertent insider trading violations, Section 16 violations (for officers and directors), violations of this Policy and unfavorable publicity for you and Oklo. For these reasons, even if you are permitted to pledge Oklo securities as collateral for loans, you should exercise caution when doing so.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-16 Insider Trading Policy 9.4 Holding Oklo securities in margin accounts You may not hold Oklo securities in margin accounts without the written approval of a Compliance Officer. Under typical margin arrangements, if you fail to meet a margin call, the broker may be entitled to sell securities held in the margin account without your consent. The sale, even though not initiated at your request, is still considered a sale for your benefit. If made at a time when you are aware of material non-public information or are otherwise not permitted to trade in Oklo securities, the sale may result in inadvertent insider trading violations, Section 16 violations (for officers and directors), violations of this Policy and unfavorable publicity for you and Oklo. For these reasons, even if you are permitted to hold Oklo securities in margin accounts, you should exercise caution when doing so. 9.5 Placing open orders with brokers Except in accordance with an approved trading plan (as discussed below), you should exercise caution when placing open orders, such as limit orders or stop orders, with brokers, particularly where the order is likely to remain outstanding for an extended period of time. Open orders may result in the execution of a trade at a time when you are aware of material non-public information or otherwise are not permitted to trade in Oklo securities, which may result in inadvertent insider trading violations, Section 16 violations (for officers and directors), violations of this Policy and unfavorable publicity for you and Oklo. If you are subject to blackout periods or pre-clearance requirements, you should inform your broker when you place any open order at the time the order is placed.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-17 Insider Trading Policy 10 Limited exceptions The following are certain limited exceptions to the restrictions imposed by Oklo under this Policy. Please be aware that even if a transaction is subject to an exception to this Policy, you will need to separately assess whether the transaction complies with applicable law. For example, even if a transaction is indicated as exempt from this Policy, you may need to comply with the “short-swing” trading restrictions under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, if applicable. You are responsible for complying with applicable law at all times. 10.1 Transactions pursuant to a trading plan that complies with SEC rules The SEC has enacted rules that provide an affirmative defense against alleged violations of U.S. federal insider trading laws for transactions pursuant to trading plans that meet certain requirements. In general, these rules, as set forth in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provide for an affirmative defense if you enter into a contract, provide instructions or adopt a written plan for trading securities when you are not aware of material non-public information. The contract, instructions or plan must (i) specify the amount, price and date of the transaction, (ii) provide a written formula, algorithm, or computer program for determining the amount, price, and date of the transaction or (iii) prohibit the individual from exercising any subsequent influence over the transaction; provided, that, any other individual, who did exercise such influence must not have been aware of the material non-public information when doing so. Transactions made pursuant to a written trading plan that (i) complies with the affirmative defense set forth in Rule 10b5-1, (ii) complies with the requirements set forth in Appendix A hereto and (iii) is approved by a Compliance Officer, are not subject to the restrictions in this Policy against trades made while aware of material non-public information or to the pre- clearance procedures or blackout periods established under this Policy. In approving a trading plan, a Compliance Officer may, in furtherance of the objectives expressed in this Policy, impose criteria in addition to those set forth in Rule 10b5-1. You should therefore confer with a Compliance Officer prior to entering into any trading plan. The SEC rules regarding trading plans are complex, and you must comply with them completely for your trading plan to be effective. The description provided above is only a summary, and Oklo strongly advises that you consult with your personal legal advisor if you intend to adopt a trading plan. While trading plans are subject to Oklo review and approval, you are ultimately responsible for compliance with Rule 10b5-1 and this Policy. A Compliance Officer must keep a copy of each adopted trading plan. Oklo may publicly disclose information or respond to inquiries regarding trading plans that you may enter (including but not limited to the information required by Regulation S-K Item 408), and you, or Oklo on your behalf, will identify any Rule 10b5-1 transactions as such on Forms 4 and 5, if applicable. Oklo also reserves the right from time to time to suspend, discontinue, or otherwise prohibit transactions under a trading plan if the Compliance Officer or the Board of Directors, in its discretion, determines that such suspension, discontinuation, or other prohibition is in the best interests of the Company.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-18 Insider Trading Policy 10.2 Receipt and vesting of stock options, restricted stock units, restricted and stock appreciation rights The trading restrictions under this Policy do not apply to the grant or award of stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights issued or offered by Oklo. The trading restrictions under this Policy also do not apply to the vesting, cancellation or forfeiture of stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights in accordance with applicable plans and agreements. The trading restrictions do apply, however, to any subsequent sales of any such securities or the common stock underlying such securities and any other market sale for the purpose of generating the cash needed to pay withholding taxes related to the settlement of restricted stock units or stock option exercises. 10.3 Cash or cashless net exercise of stock options The trading restrictions under this Policy do not apply to the exercising of stock options for cash under Oklo’s stock option plans. The exercising of stock options is performed at a set “strike price” that is not conditional to the going market price of the Oklo security at the time of exercise. Likewise, the trading restrictions under this Policy do not apply to the exercise of stock options in a stock-for-stock exercise with Oklo or an election to have Oklo withhold securities to cover tax obligations in connection with an option exercise. However, the trading restrictions under this Policy do apply to (i) the sale of any securities issued upon the exercise of a stock option, (ii) a cashless exercise of a stock option through a broker, because this involves selling a portion of the underlying shares to cover the costs of exercise, and (iii) any other market sale for the purpose of generating the cash needed to pay the exercise price of an option or to pay withholding taxes related to the settlement of restricted stock units or stock option exercises. 10.4 Purchases from the employee stock purchase plan The trading restrictions in this Policy do not apply to elections with respect to participation in Oklo’s employee stock purchase plan or to purchases of securities under the plan. However, the trading restrictions do apply to any subsequent sales of any such securities acquired therefrom. 10.5 Stock splits, stock dividends, and similar transactions The trading restrictions under this Policy do not apply to a change in the number of securities held as a result of a stock split or stock dividend applying equally to all securities of a class, or similar transactions. 10.6 Bona fide gifts and inheritance The trading restrictions under this Policy do not apply to bona fide gifts involving Oklo securities or transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution. However, (i) if you have reason to believe that the recipient intends to sell Oklo securities while you are aware of material nonpublic information or, (ii) if (A) you are subject to the trading restrictions specified above under the heading “Trading Blackout Periods,” and (B) you have reason to believe that the recipient intends to sell Oklo securities during a blackout period, then the trading restrictions apply. In other words, you cannot use a gift to conduct a transaction that otherwise would be prohibited under this Policy.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-19 Insider Trading Policy In addition, the trading restrictions under this Policy apply to any gifted or inherited securities if the recipient, for example, an immediate family member, is subject to this Policy. See “Persons and Transactions Covered by this Policy” above. Please also note that under Oklo’s stock option plans, a stock option or other equity award may not be gifted or transferred except under very limited circumstances. 10.7 Change in form of ownership Transactions that involve merely a change in the form in which you own securities are not subject to the trading restrictions under this Policy. For example, you may transfer shares to an inter vivos trust of which you are the sole beneficiary during your lifetime. 10.8 Other exceptions Any other exception from this Policy must be approved by a Compliance Officer, in consultation with the Board of Directors or an independent committee of the Board of Directors.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-20 Insider Trading Policy 11 Compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act 11.1 Ownership reporting obligations of directors and Section 16 officers The SEC’s rules under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act impose ownership reporting requirements on executive officers, Directors and 10% shareholders. In addition to individual reporting requirements, Section 16(a) set forth limitations on “short-swing” transactions, short sales, and other transactions applicable to directors, officers, large shareholders and certain other persons. Oklo’s Board of Directors has determined that those persons listed on Schedule III are required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the related rules and regulations, because of their positions with Oklo. A Compliance Officer may amend Schedule III from time to time as appropriate to reflect the election of new officers or directors, any change in the responsibilities of officers or other employees and any promotions, demotions, resignations or departures. Schedule III is not necessarily an exhaustive list of persons subject to Section 16 requirements at any given time. Even if you are not listed on Schedule III, you may be subject to Section 16 reporting obligations because of your shareholdings, for example. 11.2 Notification requirements to facilitate Section 16 reporting To facilitate timely reporting of transactions pursuant to Section 16 requirements, if you are subject to Section 16 reporting requirements you must provide, or must ensure that your broker provides, Oklo with detailed information (e.g., trade date, number of shares, exact price, etc.) regarding your transactions involving Oklo’s securities, including gifts, transfers, pledges and transactions pursuant to a trading plan, both prior to the transaction (to confirm compliance with pre-clearance procedures, if applicable) and on the date of the transaction. 11.3 Personal responsibility The obligation to file Section 16 reports, and to otherwise comply with Section 16, is personal. If there is any change in your ownership of Oklo securities at any time, you will be required to file a Form 4 with the SEC reporting the change. In virtually all cases, the Form 4 must be filed no later than the second business day following the execution date of the transaction. Although Oklo may participate in the communication to executive officers and Directors as it relates to Section 16 compliance, is not responsible for the failure to comply with Section 16 requirements.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-21 Insider Trading Policy 12 Compliance This Policy will remain in effect unless revoked or modified by the Company in writing. The Company may modify these guidelines from time to time, as laws or other circumstances change. Each Company employee is responsible for reviewing these guidelines periodically and complying with the most current version. The most current version will be available to all Company employees. Any Company employee found to have violated this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. This Policy will be implemented in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. If you have any questions regarding this Policy, please consult your manager, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People and Culture Officer, or their designees.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-22 Insider Trading Policy 13 Revision history Template version: 1.0 Revision date Revision notes 10 May 2024 Insider Trading Policy v1.0 created 17 March 2025 Updated to reflect Board membership changes
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-23 Insider Trading Policy Schedule I Individuals Subject to Quarterly Blackout Periods All directors, executive officers, and other employees and agents (such as consultants and independent contractors) of Oklo.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-24 Insider Trading Policy Schedule II Individuals Subject to Pre-Clearance Requirements 1. Directors Name Title Sam Altman Chairman Jacob DeWitte CEO & Board Member Caroline Cochran COO & Board Member Michael Klein Board Member Rich Kinzley Board Member John Jansen Board Member Daniel B. Poneman Board Member Michael Thompson Board Member 2. Officers (including officers who are also directors) Name Title Jacob DeWitte CEO Caroline Cochran COO Craig Bealmear CFO 3. Others The pre-clearance requirements applying to “Others” relates to all Oklo staff, including full-time employees and independent contractors, unless there is an exception which will be noted here. There are currently no individuals included in this exception.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-25 Insider Trading Policy Schedule III Individuals Subject to Section 16 Reporting and Liability Provisions 1. Directors Name Title Sam Altman Chairman Jacob DeWitte CEO & Board Member Caroline Cochran COO & Board Member Michael Klein Board Member Rich Kinzley Board Member John Jansen Board Member Daniel B. Poneman Board Member Michael Thompson Board Member 2. Officers (including officers who are also directors) Name Title Jacob DeWitte CEO Caroline Cochran COO Craig Bealmear CFO
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-26 Insider Trading Policy Appendix A Requirements for Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans A Rule 10b5-1 “trading plan” involving purchases or sales of Oklo securities must comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 and must meet the following requirements: 1. The trading plan must be in writing and signed by the person adopting the trading plan. 2. The trading plan must be adopted at a time when: • the person adopting the trading plan is not aware of any material non-public information (“MNPI”); and • there is no quarterly, special or other trading blackout in effect with respect to the person adopting the trading plan. 3. The trading plan must be entered in good faith at the time when the individual was not in possession of MNPI and not otherwise in a blackout period, and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b5-1 and the individual adopting the trading plan must act in good faith with respect to the plan through its duration. 4. In addition, directors and Section 16 officers of Oklo (i.e., all persons listed on Schedule III of this Policy) must represent in a trading plan at the time of its adoption (or modification) that (a) they are not aware of any MNPI about Oklo or its securities, and (b) they are adopting (or modifying) the trading plan in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b5-1. 5. The individual adopting the trading plan may not have entered into or altered a corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the securities subject to the trading plan and must agree not to enter into any such transaction while the trading plan is in effect. 6. The first trade under the trading plan may not occur until: • For directors and Section 16 officers of Oklo (i.e., all persons listed on Schedule III of this Policy), the later of (a) 90 calendar days after adoption of the trading plan or (b) two business days following the filing of the Form 10-Q or Form 10-K for the fiscal quarter in which the plan was adopted (but in any event, no more than 120 calendar days after the adoption of the trading plan). • For all other persons, 30 calendar days after adoption of the trading plan. 7. The trading plan must have a minimum term of one year and a maximum term of two years (measured from the date the plan is effective). There is a limitation of one single- trade plan during any consecutive 12-month period. 8. All transactions during the term of the trading plan (except for the other “Limited Exceptions” identified in Oklo’s insider trading policy) must be conducted through the trading plan.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-27 Insider Trading Policy 9. The trading plan cannot overlap with another Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, unless one of the following exceptions applies: • Eligible “sell-to-cover” transactions (i.e., authorizing the sale of securities as necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising exclusively from the vesting of a compensatory award where the insider doesn’t otherwise exercise control over the timing of such sales) are not considered separate plans that count against this prohibition. • A series of separate contracts with different broker-dealers that effectively function as a single trading plan are not considered overlapping plans. • Trades under an existing trading plan can continue to run during the cooling-off period for a new trading plan if the following conditions are met: (i) trading under the new trading plan may not begin until after all trades under the existing trading plan are completed or expire without execution, and (ii) the applicable cooling off period under the new trading plan, running from the date of its adoption, has been met; provided, however, if the existing trading plan is terminated early (i.e., before its scheduled completion date), then the applicable cooling-off period for the new trading plan must run from the date of the termination of the existing trading plan. 10. Regarding material modifications (where such modifications change the amount, price or timing of the purchase or sale of securities pursuant to the plan, but does not include immaterial modifications): • The trading plan may only be modified when the person modifying the trading plan is not aware of MNPI. • The trading plan may only be modified when there is no quarterly, special or other blackout in effect with respect to the person modifying the plan. • The first trade under the modified trading plan may only occur in accordance with the cooling off periods noted in item 6 above. The existing plan would remain in effect until the modified plan comes into effect. The modified trading plan must have a minimum duration of one year and a maximum term of two years (measured from the date the plan is effective). 11. A person may only modify a trading plan once in a one-year period. 12. If the person that adopted the trading plan terminates the plan prior to its stated duration, he or she may not trade in Oklo’s securities until the cooling off periods noted in item 6 above have been met. 13. Oklo must be promptly notified of any modification or termination of the trading plan, including any suspension of trading under the plan. 14. If the trading plan grants discretion to a stockbroker or other person with respect to the execution of trades under the plan:
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-28 Insider Trading Policy • trades made under the trading plan must be executed by someone other than the stockbroker or other person that executes trades in other securities for the person adopting the trading plan; • the person adopting the trading plan may not confer with the person administering the trading plan regarding Oklo or its securities; and • the person administering the trading plan must provide prompt notice to Oklo of the execution of a transaction pursuant to the plan. 15. All transactions under the trading plan must be in accordance with applicable law. 16. The trading plan (including any modified trading plan) must meet such other requirements as a Compliance Officer may determine. 17. A Compliance Officer must approve adoption or modification of each trading plan and keep a copy of each adopted trading plan.
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-29 Insider Trading Policy Appendix B Pre-Clearance Stock Trading Form Oklo Pre-Clearance Stock Trading Form Instructions: All individuals under the scope of Schedule II of the Policy are required to complete this form prior to any trade, including during an open trading window. Once you complete and submit the form below, your request will be reviewed, and you will be notified whether the proposed transaction has been approved. In the “Amount Requested” field below, please indicated the maximum number of shares you with to transact. Multiple categories may be requested in a single form. Once approved, you are permitted to transact any amount up to and including the amount shown in the table below within the terms outlined in the Representation section below. Note: Approval can take up to 3 business days. All amounts shown in shares unless otherwise indicated. Name of Individual: Proposed type of transaction: Amount Requested Amount Executed Purchase Sale Exercise and Sell (option holders only) Other (Gift, charitable donation, etc): Please specify: ________________________ Proposed transaction date (trade must be complete within 7 business/trading days from the date shown if approved): Representation: With regard to the above referenced proposed transaction (the “Transaction”) I represent to Oklo Inc. (“Oklo”) the following: 1. I propose to execute the Transaction above and hereby request pre-clearance of the Transaction. I understand that I must execute the Transaction within seven (7) trading days beginning on the proposed transaction date above, but understand that I cannot execute the proposed transaction until I have received pre-clearance. By signing below, I understand that I am not obligated to execute the Transaction. 2. I will not execute the Transaction during a quarterly or special blackout period. I am not in possession of any material nonpublic information regarding Oklo as described in Oklo’s Insider Trading Policy (“Material Nonpublic Information”), and I will not execute the Transaction in the event that I become aware of any Material Nonpublic Information. 3. If I am a Section 16 officer or director of Oklo, I have checked and confirm that the Transaction will not give rise to any potential liability for recovery of profits under Section 16
Oklo Inc. Insider Trading Policy (as of March 17, 2025) S-II-30 Insider Trading Policy of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a result of matched past (or intended future) transactions within six months before or after the Transaction and will complete and timely file a Form 4 with the SEC. 4. I acknowledge that the pre-clearance of the Transaction does not constitute a waiver of my duties and responsibilities under Oklo’s Insider Trading Policy. 5. I acknowledge that the pre-clearance of the Transaction does not constitute a waiver of the requirements under Oklo’s Stock Ownership Policy (if any). 6. I acknowledge that pre-clearance of the Transaction does not constitute an affirmation by Oklo or the Compliance Officer that I am not in possession of any Material Nonpublic Information. Signatures: Requestor Signature: Date: Company use only: Approved: Denied: Reviewer Name: Date: Comments:
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Subsidiaries of Oklo Inc.
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Oklo Technologies, Inc. |
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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-280736 on Form S-8 of our report dated March 24, 2025, relating to the financial statements of Oklo Inc. appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche, LLP
San Jose, California
March 24, 2025
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Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of Oklo Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 333-280736) of our report dated April 2, 2024, except for Notes 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 and 17, as to which the date is August 30, 2024, and except for Note 16, as to which the date is March 24, 2025, with respect to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of Oklo Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2023 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Oklo Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
Los Angeles, CA
March 24, 2025
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CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a‑14(a) AND 15d‑14(a),
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES‑OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Jacob DeWitte, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10‑K of Oklo Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e)) and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(c)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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March 24, 2025 |
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OKLO INC. |
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/s/ Jacob DeWitte |
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Jacob DeWitte |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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EX-31.2
8
ex312to3q202410-q1.htm
EX-31.2
Document
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a‑14(a) AND 15d‑14(a),
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES‑OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, R. Craig Bealmear, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10‑K of Oklo Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e)) and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(c)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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March 24, 2025 |
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OKLO INC. |
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/s/ R. Craig Bealmear |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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EX-32.2
9
ex321to3q202410-q1.htm
EX-32.2
Document
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES‑OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Oklo Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), each of Jacob DeWitte, Chief Executive Officer, and R. Craig Bealmear, Chief Financial Officer of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:
•The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
•The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
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March 24, 2025 |
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OKLO INC. |
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/s/ Jacob DeWitte |
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Jacob DeWitte |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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OKLO INC. |
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/s/ R. Craig Bealmear |
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Name: |
R. Craig Bealmear |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
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EX-97.1
10
ex971oklo-clawbackpolicy.htm
EX-97.1
ex971oklo-clawbackpolicy
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 1 Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Effective May 10, 2024 1 Purpose The purpose of this Policy is to describe the circumstances in which Executive Officers will be required to repay or return Erroneously Awarded Compensation to members of the Company Group, as defined below. This Policy is designed to comply with, and shall be interpreted to be consistent with, Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rule 10D-1 promulgated thereunder and the Listing Standards. Each Executive Officer shall be required to sign and return to the Company the Acknowledgment Form attached hereto as Exhibit A pursuant to which such Executive Officer will agree to be bound by the terms of and comply with this Policy. 2 Administration This Policy shall be administered by the Committee, as defined below. The Committee is authorized to interpret and construe this Policy and to make all determinations, and take all actions, necessary, appropriate or advisable for the administration of this Policy. Any determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be final and binding on all affected individuals and need not be uniform with respect to each individual covered by the Policy. 3 Definitions Accounting Restatement: an accounting restatement of the Company’s financial statements due to the Company’s material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. securities laws, including any required accounting restatement (i) that corrects an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements (a “Big R” restatement), or (ii) that corrects an error that is not material to previously issued financial statements, but would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (a “Little r” restatement). An Accounting Restatement does not include situations in which financial statement changes did not result from material noncompliance with financial reporting EXHIBIT 97.1
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 2 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation requirements, such as, but not limited to, retrospective: (i) application of a change in accounting principles; (ii) revision to reportable segment information due to a change in the structure of the Company’s internal organization; (iii) reclassification due to a discontinued operation; (iv) application of a change in reporting entity, such as from a reorganization of entities under common control; (v) adjustment to provisional amounts in connection with a prior business combination; and (vi) revision for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or other changes in capital structure. Board: Board of Directors of the Company. Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation: in connection with an Accounting Restatement and with respect to each individual who served as an Executive Officer at any time during the applicable performance period for any Incentive-Based Compensation (whether or not such Executive Officer is serving at the time the Erroneously Awarded Compensation is required to be repaid to the Company Group), all Incentive-Based Compensation Received by such Executive Officer (i) on or after the Effective Date (even if such Incentive-Based Compensation was approved, awarded, granted or paid prior to the effective date of the Listing Standards), (ii) after beginning service as an Executive Officer, (iii) while the Company has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or a national securities association, and (iv) during the applicable Clawback Period.1 Clawback Period: with respect to any Accounting Restatement, the three completed fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the Restatement Date and any transition period (that results from a change in the Company’s fiscal year) within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years; provided, that, for purposes of determining the Clawback Period with respect to any Accounting Restatement, a transition period that occurs between the last day of the Company’s previous fiscal year and the first day of its new fiscal year and is comprised of a period of nine to 12 months shall be deemed a completed fiscal year. Committee: Compensation Committee of the Board. Company: Oklo Inc., a Delaware corporation. Company Group: the Company, together with each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Effective Date: effective date of this Policy, which date is May 10, 2024. Erroneously Awarded Compensation: with respect to each Executive Officer in connection with an Accounting Restatement, the amount of Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation that exceeds the amount of Incentive-Based Compensation that otherwise would have been Received had it been determined based on the restated amounts as reflected in the Accounting Restatement, computed without regard to any taxes paid. For Incentive-Based Compensation based on (or derived from) stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in the applicable Accounting Restatement, the amount shall be determined by 1 Explanatory Note: Recovery of compensation is not required (1) with respect to any compensation Received while an individual was serving in a non-executive capacity prior to becoming an Executive Officer or (2) from any individual who is an Executive Officer on the Restatement Date but who was not an Executive Officer at any time during the performance period for which the Incentive-Based Compensation is Received.
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 3 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation the Committee based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Accounting Restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the Incentive-Based Compensation was Received (in which case, the Company shall maintain documentation of such determination of that reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to NYSE). Executive Officer: each individual who is or was designated as of the relevant period as an “officer” of the Company under the “Section 16” rules promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (specifically, in accordance with 17 C.F.R. 240.16a-1(f)). As of the Effective Date, the Section 16 definition of “Executive Officer” is the Company’s president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice-president of the Company in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a significant policy-making function, or any other person (including any executive officer of the Company’s affiliates including a parent or subsidiary of the Company) who performs similar policy-making functions for the Company, as determined in good faith from time to time by the Board. For the sake of clarity, an executive officer for purposes of this Policy would include, at a minimum, all executive officers identified pursuant to 17 C.F.R. 229.401(b) with respect to the relevant period. Financial Reporting Measures: measures that are determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements (including “non-GAAP financial measures,” such as those appearing in earnings releases), and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from such measures. For the avoidance of doubt, a Financial Reporting Measure need not be presented within the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with the SEC. Stock price and total shareholder return shall for purposes of this Policy also be considered Financial Reporting Measures. Incentive-Based Compensation: shall mean any compensation that is granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part upon the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure. For the sake of clarity, examples of compensation that is not Incentive-Based Compensation include, but are not limited to: (i) base salaries; (ii) discretionary cash bonuses; (iii) awards (either of cash or equity) that are based solely upon subjective, strategic or operational metrics or measures; and (iv) equity awards that vest solely upon continued service or the passage of time.2 Listing Standards: Section 303A.14 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. 2 Explanatory Note: The Dodd-Frank statutory language specifies that Incentive-Based Compensation to which recovery must apply under a compliant clawback policy “includ[es] stock options awarded as compensation.” Importantly, stock options (and similar equity awards, such as restricted stock, RSUs and SARs) would be treated as Incentive-Based Compensation only if the granting, vesting or earning of the award is based, in whole or in part, on satisfying a Financial Reporting Measure (FRM) performance goal. Therefore, equity awards that are granted irrespective of attaining any FRM performance goal and vest solely on the basis of continued service or the passage of time would not be considered Incentive-Based Compensation. The strike price of an option, on its own, would not make an option Incentive-Based Compensation subject to the clawback policy (even though the option is only in-the-money when the Company’s stock price is above the strike price). In addition, any incentive awards that are granted, earned or vested solely on the basis of whether nonfinancial (e.g., strategic, operational or subjective) measures have been achieved would not be subject to the clawback policy.
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 4 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation NYSE: New York Stock Exchange. Policy: this Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Received: with respect to any Incentive-Based Compensation, mean actual or deemed receipt, and Incentive-Based Compensation shall be deemed received in the Company’s fiscal period during which the Financial Reporting Measure specified in the Incentive-Based Compensation award is attained, even if grant or payment of the Incentive-Based Compensation occurs after the end of that period. Restatement Date: the earlier to occur of (i) the date the Board, a committee of the Board or the officers of the Company authorized to take such action if Board action is not required, concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, or (ii) the date a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare an Accounting Restatement, in each case regardless of if or when the restated financial statements are filed. SEC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 4 Policy 4.1 Required recovery of erroneously awarded compensation In the event the Company is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, the Committee shall determine the amount of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation for each Executive Officer in connection with such Accounting Restatement, shall thereafter provide each Executive Officer with a written notice containing the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation and a demand for repayment or return, as applicable, and shall take all other actions necessary and appropriate to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation from the applicable Executive Officers reasonably promptly. The Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the timing and method for recovering Erroneously Awarded Compensation reasonably promptly based on all applicable facts and circumstances and taking into account the time value of money and the cost to shareholders of delaying recovery. Such methods may include, without limitation, (i) seeking reimbursement of all or part of any cash or equity-based award, (ii) cancelling prior cash or equity-based awards, whether vested or unvested or paid or unpaid, (iii) cancelling or offsetting against any planned future cash or equity-based awards, (iv) forfeiture of deferred compensation, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and (v) any other method authorized by applicable law or contract. Subject to compliance with any applicable law, the Committee may effect recovery under this Policy (i) from any amount otherwise payable to the Executive Officer, including amounts payable to such individual under any otherwise applicable Company plan or program, including base salary, bonuses or commissions, and compensation previously deferred by the Executive Officer, and (ii) from any amount of compensation approved, awarded, granted, payable or paid to the Executive Officer prior to, on or after the effective date of the Listing Standards. For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in Section 4(d) below, in no event may the Company Group accept an
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 5 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation amount that is less than the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation in satisfaction of an Executive Officer’s obligations hereunder. To the extent that an Executive Officer fails to repay all Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company Group when due, the Company shall, or shall cause one or more other members of the Company Group to, take all actions reasonable and appropriate to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation from the applicable Executive Officer.3 The applicable Executive Officer shall be required to reimburse the Company Group for any and all expenses reasonably incurred (including legal fees) by the Company Group in recovering such Erroneously Awarded Compensation in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation from any Executive Officer if any of the following conditions are met and the Committee determines that recovery would be impracticable: • The direct expenses paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the Policy against an Executive Officer would exceed the amount to be recovered, after the Company has made a reasonable attempt to recover the applicable Erroneously Awarded Compensation, documented such attempt(s) and provided such documentation to NYSE; • Recovery would violate home country law of the Company where that law was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, after the Company has obtained an opinion of home country counsel, acceptable to NYSE, that recovery would result in such a violation and a copy of the opinion is provided to NYSE; or • Recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company Group, to fail to meet the requirements of 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(13) or 26 U.S.C. 411(a) and regulations thereunder. 5 Reporting and disclosure The Company shall file all disclosures with respect to this Policy in accordance with the requirements of the federal securities laws, including the disclosure required by the applicable SEC filings. The Company shall also file a copy of this Policy and any amendments thereto as an exhibit to its annual report on Form 10-K. The Company shall also disclose a copy of this Policy as an exhibit to proxy and information statements as required by Item 402. The Company shall disclose the following if, during the last completed fiscal year, the Company was required to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation or had an outstanding balance of Erroneously Awarded Compensation related to a prior Accounting Restatement: • For each Accounting Restatement, the date the Company was required to prepare an Accounting Restatement, the total amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation 3 Explanatory Note: Unpaid amounts will be subject to public disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement, including (i) the aggregate dollar amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation that remains outstanding at the end of the last completed fiscal year and (ii) for each current and former Named Executive Officer, the dollar amount of outstanding Erroneously Awarded Compensation still owed that had been outstanding for 180 days or longer since the date the Company determined the amount the officer owed.
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 6 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation attributable to the Accounting Restatement, and an analysis of how the amount was calculated or an explanation of the reason why the amount has not yet been determined. • The total amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation that remains outstanding at the end of the Company’s last completed fiscal year. • The estimates used to determine Erroneously Awarded Compensation based on a stock metric or total shareholder return metric, if applicable. • The name of, and the amount due from, each current and former Named Executive Officer from whom Erroneously Awarded Compensation has been outstanding for 180 days or longer. • The names of current and former Named Executive Officers and the amount of any foregone recovery related to each of them, the total amount of any foregone recovery for all other current and former executive officers as a group, and a description of why recovery was not pursued. • An explanation of why the Company concluded recovery was not required, if applicable. 6 No indemnification of executive officers Notwithstanding the terms of any indemnification or insurance policy or any contractual arrangement with any Executive Officer that may be interpreted to the contrary, no member of the Company Group shall be permitted to indemnify any Executive Officer against, or pay or reimburse the premiums for an insurance policy to cover, (i) the loss of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation that is repaid, returned or recovered pursuant to the terms of this Policy, or (ii) any claims relating to the Company Group’s enforcement of its rights under this Policy. Further, no member of the Company Group shall enter into any agreement that exempts any Incentive-Based Compensation from the application of this Policy or that waives the Company Group’s right to recovery of any Erroneously Awarded Compensation, and this Policy shall supersede any such agreement (whether entered into before, on or after the Effective Date). 7 Committee indemnification Any members of the Committee, and any other members of the Board who assist in the administration of this Policy, shall not be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to this Policy and shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent under applicable law and Company policy with respect to any such action, determination or interpretation. The foregoing sentence shall not limit any other rights to indemnification of the members of the Board under applicable law or Company policy. 8 Effective date This Policy shall be effective as of the Effective Date.
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 7 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation 9 Severability The provisions in this Policy are intended to be applied to the fullest extent of the law; provided, however, to the extent that any provision of this Policy is found to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such provision will be applied to the maximum extent permitted, and shall automatically be deemed amended in a manner consistent with its objectives to the extent necessary to conform to any limitations required under applicable law. 10 Amendment; termination The Committee may amend, modify, supplement, rescind or replace all or any portion of this Policy at any time and from time to time in its discretion and shall amend this Policy as it deems necessary, including as and when it determines that it is legally required by any federal securities laws, SEC rule or the rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Company’s securities are listed. The Committee may terminate this Policy at any time. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9 to the contrary, no amendment or termination of this Policy shall be effective if such amendment or termination would (after taking into account any actions taken by the Company contemporaneously with such amendment or termination) cause the Company to violate any federal securities laws, SEC rule or the rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Company’s securities are listed. 11 Other recoupment rights; company claims Committee intends that this Policy will be applied to the fullest extent of the law and with respect to all Incentive-Based Compensation granted to an Executive Officer, whether pursuant to a pre-existing contract or arrangement, or one that is entered into after the Effective Date. Any right of recoupment under this Policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies or rights of recoupment that may be available to the Company Group under applicable law, regulation or rule or pursuant to the terms of any similar policy in any employment agreement, equity award agreement or similar agreement and any other legal remedies available to the Company Group.4 Nothing contained in this Policy, and no recoupment or recovery as contemplated by this Policy, shall limit any claims, damages or other legal remedies the Company or any of its affiliates may have against an Executive Officer arising out of or resulting from any actions or omissions by the Executive Officer. 4 Explanatory Note: In circumstances in which both the Dodd-Frank and SOX Section 304 clawback provisions could provide for recovery of the same Incentive-Based Compensation, if an Executive Officer reimburses the Company pursuant to SOX, the amount recoverable under the Company’s Dodd-Frank clawback policy should be deducted by the amount of the reimbursement. The SEC notes that recovery under the Company’s Dodd-Frank clawback policy would not preclude recovery under SOX to the extent any applicable amounts have not been reimbursed to the Company.
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 8 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation 12 Successors This Policy shall be binding and enforceable against all Executive Officers and their beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives. 13 Compliance This Policy will remain in effect unless revoked or modified by the Company in writing. The Company may modify this Policy from time to time, with or without notice, as laws or other circumstances change. Each Company employee is responsible for reviewing this Policy periodically and complying with the most current version. The most current version will be available to all Company employees. Any Company employee found to have violated this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. This Policy does not create a contract of employment and does not alter any employee’s at-will employment status. If you have any questions regarding this Policy, please consult your manager, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, or their designees. 14 Revision history Template version: 1.0 Revision date Revision notes 10 May 2024 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 created
Oklo Inc. Amended and Restated Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation v1.0 9 Amended And Restated Policy For The Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Exhibit A OKLO INC. POLICY FOR THE RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM By signing below, the undersigned acknowledges and confirms that the undersigned has received and reviewed a copy of the Oklo Inc. Policy for the Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Policy”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Acknowledgment Form (this “Acknowledgment Form”) shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Policy. By signing this Acknowledgment Form, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned is and will continue to be subject to the Policy and that the Policy will apply both during and after the undersigned’s employment with the Company Group. Further, by signing below, the undersigned agrees to abide by the terms of the Policy, including, without limitation, by promptly returning any Erroneously Awarded Compensation (as defined in the Policy) to the Company Group to the extent required by, and in a manner permitted by, the Policy. In the event of any inconsistency between the Policy and the terms of any employment agreement to which the undersigned is a party, or the terms of any compensation plan, program or agreement under which any compensation has been granted, awarded, earned or paid, the terms of the Policy shall govern. ________________________________ Signature ________________________________ Print Name ________________________________ Title ________________________________ Date