In this article, we take a look at the 5 most advanced countries in nuclear fusion. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of recent developments in fusion energy, go directly to 10 Most Advanced Countries in Nuclear Fusion.
5. Canada
Startups Ranking: 2
Research-Projects Ranking: 6
Average Ranking: 4
Canada is one of the most advanced countries in nuclear fusion. There are currently two startups operating in Canada, namely, General Fusion and Fusion Energy Technologies. In the latest financing in November, 2021, General Fusion has raised $132 million in Series E funding of later stage venture capital, as per Pitchbook.
The company is developing a magnetized-target-fusion power plant based on the concept of spherical liquid metal piston compression. Some of its top investors include Thistledown Capital, Temasek and Business Development Bank of Canada.
In addition to startups, there are five ongoing research projects in Canada, being carried out at the University of Saskatchewan.
4. Germany
Startups Ranking: 3
Research Projects Ranking: 4
Average Ranking: 3.5
Germany has seven research projects in fusion energy as of 2021, with five of them going on in Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics. On the startups front, the country is home to Marvel Fusion, which has raised $40 million in Series A funding as of 2022. The company is using the laser inertial confinement fusion approach. One of the most prominent investors in Marvel Fusion is BlueYard Capital.
3. China
Startups Ranking: 3
Research Projects Ranking: 2
Average Ranking: 2.5
China has quickly emerged as one of the most advanced countries in nuclear fusion. There are currently 18 ongoing fusion projects in China. However, the startup scene in China is still in its infancy, with corporate fusion projects taken up by the well-established ENN Energy.
2. Japan
Startups Ranking: 2
Research Projects Ranking: 3
Average Ranking: 2.5
Japan is one of the most advanced countries in fusion energy in both startups and publicly funded research projects. It is home to two nuclear fusion startups, namely, EX-Fusion and Kyoto Fusioneering.
Kyoto Fusioneering is the more prominent one, with the company having raised $15 million to date, with multiple contracts for the development of STEP, a prototype fusion reactor to be built in the UK.
Some of the company’s top Series B investors include Coral Capital Co., Daiwa Corporate Investment and DBJ Capital. Further, there are nine ongoing fusion research projects in different institutes in Japan.
1. United States
Startups Ranking: 1
Research Projects Ranking: 1
Average Ranking: 1
The United States is the most advanced nation when it comes to fusion energy. It is home to 21 fusion energy startups, and has 83 publicly funded fusion research projects. The most prominent of these startups include TAE Technologies and Helion Energy.
Helion has raised $500 million in Series E funding and plans to demonstrate the generation of net electricity from fusion in 2024. Major investors in the company include Mithril Capital and Capricorn Investment Group.
When it comes to research projects, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has recently made headlines for its National Ignition Facility, which demonstrated proof of concept of the engineering viability of fusion, with a net gain in energy.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 25 Largest Ports in the World and 15 Largest Pipeline Companies in the World.
