Helical Fusion Raises $15M to Build the World’s First Steady-State Fusion Power Plant

Helical Fusion, a Japanese private fusion energy startup, has closed its Series A round with $15 million in funding, backed by SBI Investment, Keio Innovation Initiative (KII), and 17 other institutional and individual investors. This strategic investment brings the company’s total funding to $35 million, including previous grants and loans.

Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), Helical Fusion is working to deliver the first commercially viable steady-state fusion power plant based on the stellarator design. This magnetic confinement method is known for enabling continuous plasma operation, a significant leap beyond pulsed systems like tokamaks.

The company’s roadmap is centered on the Helix Program, which includes two flagship devices:

Helix HARUKA, an intermediate system for testing and validation

Helix KANATA, a full-scale pilot plant targeting net electricity generation, 24/7 stability, and high maintainability

What distinguishes Helical Fusion’s technology is its foundation in over 70 years of stellarator research, particularly from the Large Helical Device (LHD) in Japan. With the fundamental plasma science phase completed, the company is now transitioning to engineering and commercial development in collaboration with global manufacturing partners.

The urgency for innovation in energy is real: by 2050, electricity demand is projected to spike, driven by population growth and AI-based technologies. Fusion offers a zero-carbon, baseload energy source, and the market is projected to hit $550 billion annually by mid-century. Helical Fusion believes its solution can lead this transformation.

The startup is engaged in 14 ongoing collaborative research projects, ranging from high-temperature superconducting magnets and liquid metal blankets to advanced heating systems and power generation designs.

CEO Takaya Taguchi emphasized the company’s vision:

“If we can build another sun on Earth, we achieve energy independence for humanity. Fusion is the ultimate step in our energy journey.”

With strong financial backing and a clear technical path, Helical Fusion is set to lead the global race toward commercializing fusion energy, empowering a cleaner and more sustainable future.