#275 Jay Yu - Nano Nuclear Technology and the Future of American Energy

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Jan 29, 2026

Jay Yu, DeepTech and NuclearTech entrepreneur who leads NANO Nuclear Energy and LIS Technologies. He discusses microreactors for military bases, islands, disaster relief, and datacenters. He covers laser uranium enrichment, domestic fuel security, regulatory timelines, and the race with China. Short, fast-paced conversation about building teams, raising capital, and scaling advanced nuclear technologies.

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ANECDOTE

Humble Beginnings Shaped Drive

Jay Yu grew up in a four-story walk-up on the Upper West Side and watched his parents work in sweatshops and carpentry.
Early exposure to his mother's sewing taught him business lessons about speed, risk, and reward.

INSIGHT

Reverse-Engineer Your Career Path

Jay reverse-engineered a Wall Street career by getting Ivy League work experience while attending city college.
He used value creation, not grades, to win a business manager role at Columbia and access better job pipelines.

ADVICE

Vet Founders For Integrity, Not Hype

Prioritize integrity and humility when evaluating founders and teams.
Avoid founders whose egos swell after fundraising because they often become poor operators.

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Jay Yu is a prominent DeepTech and NuclearTech entrepreneur with a Wall Street capital markets background. Driven by a vision to make energy more accessible, affordable, and sustainable worldwide, he currently serves as Executive Chairman & CEO of LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) and Founder & Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE).

LIS Technologies is the only U.S.-origin and patented laser uranium enrichment technology company, delivering a revolutionary, energy- and cost-efficient approach that is set to redefine nuclear fuel industry standards while also producing medical and stable isotopes; including silicon-28 critical for AI and quantum computing.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NNE) is the first publicly listed, vertically integrated advanced nuclear micro modular reactor company in the United States. Under Jay Yu’s leadership, NNE acquired one of the highest Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and patented microreactor designs in development, achieved a market capitalization exceeding $3 billion, raised over $600 million in just a year and a half, and earned the title of Wall Street’s Cinderella story of 2024 as the #1 Top IPO Performer.

Leading a world-class team of nuclear engineers, former national leaders in military and policy, U.S. Department of Energy experts, national laboratory veterans, and regulatory specialists, Jay is developing smaller, simpler, and safer advanced nuclear microreactors. He brings deep expertise in corporate structuring, capital fundraising, and recruiting top-tier talent while passionately building strategic relationships and creating lasting value for partners and stakeholders. In 2021, Jay Yu was honored as one of The Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business; the highest recognition in the U.S. AAPI community.

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Jay Yu Links:

X - https://x.com/nano_nuclear

IG - https://www.instagram.com/nanonuclear

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@nanonuclearenergy

NANO Nuclear - https://nanonuclearenergy.com

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