Helical Fusion Secures JPY 2.3 Billion in Series A Funding, Advances Toward World’s First Steady-State Net Power Fusion Plant
Helical Fusion Co., Ltd., a private fusion energy developer headquartered in Japan, has successfully closed its Series A funding round, raising JPY 2.3 billion (approximately USD 15 million). This latest infusion of capital brings the company’s total funding—including grants and loans—to JPY 5.2 billion (USD 35 million), propelling forward its ambitious “Helix Program.” The program outlines a roadmap to develop the world’s first steady-state net power fusion plant by the 2030s, leveraging Japan’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and decades of scientific research.
The Growing Urgency for Fusion Energy
Global electricity demand is expected to surge dramatically by 2050, driven by population growth and the increasing adoption of energy-intensive technologies like artificial intelligence. Traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are unsustainable and environmentally harmful, while renewable options like solar and wind face challenges in providing consistent baseload power. Fusion energy, fueled by hydrogen isotopes extracted from seawater, offers a promising solution: zero-carbon, limitless, and baseload-capable energy. However, overcoming the technical and economic hurdles remains a significant challenge.
Analysts estimate that the global fusion market could reach USD 550 billion annually by mid-century*. Recognizing this immense potential, Helical Fusion’s Series A round attracted investments from prominent entities, including SBI Investment, Keio Innovation Initiative (KII), and 17 other institutional investors, alongside individual backers and public financial institutions. This diverse group of supporters underscores the growing momentum across Asia to compete in the global race toward commercial fusion.
Why Choose the Stellarator Design?
Helical Fusion’s reactor design is based on the stellarator, a magnetic confinement system renowned for its ability to sustain stable, continuous plasma operation. Unlike pulsed systems such as tokamaks or laser-based fusion approaches, stellarators inherently support steady-state operation—a critical feature for practical energy production. This design is backed by nearly 70 years of rigorous research, particularly at Japan’s National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), home to the Large Helical Device (LHD)—one of the most advanced stellarator facilities in the world.
By building on this robust scientific foundation and applying modern engineering and manufacturing techniques, Helical Fusion aims to deliver the first commercially viable stellarator capable of generating electricity. This approach not only leverages Japan’s proven expertise in precision manufacturing but also addresses key challenges in scalability and maintainability.
Introducing “Helix KANATA”: A Vision for the Future
At the heart of Helical Fusion’s efforts is Helix KANATA, a full-scale pilot plant designed to achieve steady-state, net-electric fusion power. Watch their concept animation here: https://youtu.be/XMXTviHZe6w. Preceding Helix KANATA is Helix HARUKA, an intermediate device focused on validating components and systems. Together, these projects form the cornerstone of the Helix Program, which targets three key objectives:
- Continuous Operation: Stable, uninterrupted power generation 24/7/365.
- Net Electricity Production: Achieving energy-positive performance where output exceeds input.
- High Maintainability: Ensuring efficient maintenance processes to maximize uptime.
From Scientific Breakthroughs to Engineering Realities
What sets Helical Fusion apart is its focus on transitioning from the scientific phase to the engineering stage. The stellarator design has already demonstrated critical plasma stability—an essential milestone for any commercial fusion plant. With this foundational science established, Helical Fusion is now concentrating on the next phase: engineering and manufacturing a real-world fusion power plant.
To achieve this, the company is collaborating with leading industrial partners known for their world-class manufacturing capabilities. These partnerships span a wide range of technical domains, including the development of proprietary high-temperature superconducting magnets and liquid metal blankets—both crucial components for realizing commercial fusion power plants. Through technical partnerships, joint research agreements, and engineering collaborations, Helical Fusion is steadily transforming theoretical concepts into tangible innovations.
A Vision for Humanity’s Energy Future
In a message to stakeholders, Takaya Taguchi, Co-Founder and CEO of Helical Fusion, emphasized the broader significance of the company’s mission:
“Our goal is to build ‘another sun’ on Earth. Around the world, fusion development is accelerating, but our stellarator approach stands on the shoulders of decades of research conducted at Japan’s top universities and national institutes. When we consider what’s realistically achievable with today’s technology, we believe we are uniquely positioned to succeed. Our technology will be an invaluable asset not just for Asia, but for humanity.”
Taguchi continued, “Until now, we have relied on the energy of the sun and the Earth. If we can create that energy ourselves, humanity will achieve true energy independence for the first time in its history. That’s why we believe that commercial fusion represents ‘the ultimate step in humanity’s energy journey.’”
