German Laser Fusion Start-Up Attracts Huge VC Investment

The USD 240 million capital influx is the largest-ever funding round of its type for a fusion energy company in the world. It also makes Focused Energy Europe’s most valuable fusion company. Investors from around the globe, including German utility RWE, took part in the round.

“With this, fusion energy has entered a new era in Germany and Europe,” Focused CEO Thomas Forner said on the company website. “The main point is how we transform our scientific expertise and industrial strength into industrial value creation.”

Focused Energy specializes in so-called laser fusion, which uses high-performance lasers to the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium.

The company intends to start building the first laser fusion power plant on the site of the decommissioned Biblis nuclear fission facility. The German government plans to invest EUR nine billion in fusion technology between now and 2037. The hope is to get a fusion power plant up and running by 2045.