Helion, a fusion startup backed by Sam Altman, has secured $465 million in a recent funding round, bringing its valuation to $15.5 billion. The funds will support Helion’s ambitious goal of completing its first power plant, Orion, by 2028, aiming to supply fusion power to the grid under a deal with Microsoft. This latest Series G round was led by Thrive Capital and includes a mix of new and existing investors, contributing to Helion’s total fundraising of $1.5 billion. Unlike many competitors, Helion plans to directly convert the force generated by magnets during fusion into electricity, enhancing efficiency. Despite skepticism due to limited peer-reviewed publications, Helion’s CEO, David Kirtley, emphasizes practical results over theoretical discussions. The fusion sector is attracting significant investment, with companies like Focused Energy and Thea Energy also raising substantial funds recently. Fusion energy promises abundant, continuous power using minimal resources, appealing to tech companies and potentially transforming global energy markets.
How is Helion planning to build a fusion power plant for Microsoft?
