BRIAN MATTHEWS

FOUNDER & CEO, AMPERA, PALM BEACH gardens

With Ampera, Matthews is reimagining how the world will generate and deploy nuclear energy. The Florida-based company is advancing ultra-safe, rapidly deployable microreactors engineered to power everything from defense installations and AI data centers to maritime operations and critical infrastructure. This year, the company reached a significant industry milestone with the unveiling of a full-scale, 3D-printed nuclear reactor module designed for scalable factory production — a step toward commercializing next-generation nuclear technology. Matthews also leads Additec, a global leader in advanced metal additive manufacturing, giving him a rare vantage point at the intersection of advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Together, the two companies are building an integrated innovation platform that combines breakthrough manufacturing with advanced nuclear technology to strengthen domestic supply chains, accelerate commercialization and support U.S. energy security.

EDUCATION: University of Bristol (BS), University of Birmingham (MS)

NEXT BIG FOCUS: Commercializing factory-built power systems that can rapidly meet the world's growing demand for reliable energy while advancing the next generation of ultra-safe nuclear technology.

IN MY DOWNTIME: I enjoy architecture, particularly historic buildings in the U.K. and Europe. I appreciate timeless design and craftsmanship, especially where traditional architecture is thoughtfully integrated with modern engineering. It provides a welcome counterbalance to my focus on advanced technology.

NOTABLE TREND: AI is fundamentally changing global electricity demand. At the same time, advances in advanced manufacturing, automation and artificial intelligence are dramatically accelerating how next-generation energy systems can be designed, built and deployed.