Startup Genome launched the first cohort of the Global Hypergrowth Tokyo late-stage scaling program in March 2024 in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The initiative aims to propel the best Tokyo tech companies into successful global commercialization and expansion into international target markets.

The program addresses a significant support gap for fast-growing startups, recognizing them as drivers of economic growth and competitiveness, and creators of sustainable jobs and societal wellbeing. In its inaugural cohort, Hypergrowth provides 21 companies from Tokyo with access to global mentors, expert scaling advice from leading executives, go-to market support, and connections to potential new customers and investors.

The companies selected represent a variety of sub-sectors, including Deep Tech, Life Sciences, and AI, and have raised close to $100 million in total funding as they look to expand overseas.

In this article series, Startup Genome introduces the cohort companies, exploring the groundbreaking technologies each startup is developing to make a positive impact on the world.

Introducing Fusion Energy Startup Helical Fusion

Tokyo-based Helical Fusion aims to realize the world’s first steady-state fusion reactor by 2034 and commercialize it in the 2040s using the “Helical-Stellarator.” As the spun-out startup of the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), the company’s work with fusion reactors aims to meet a demand for energy worldwide with commercialized fusion reactors realizing the power of the sun. Backed by decades of world-class research and a top team of national talent, Helical Fusion plans to use its groundbreaking technology to make the Earth indefinitely inhabitable with power generation that does not produce carbon dioxide and does not result in resource depletion.

Japan’s dedication to fusion reactors is highlighted by the March 2024 launch of the Japan Fusion Energy Council, or J-Fusion, an industry group that will work to accelerate development in fusion and lobby the government on safety rules and standards. As a vice chairman, Helical Fusion is strongly leading this effort with its top researchers who are experienced in entire furnace design.

Q&A with Helical Fusion Co-Founder & CEO Takaya Taguchi

Startup Genome spoke to Helical Fusion for a look into its groundbreaking technology, biggest challenges, and future innovations.

Startup Genome (SG): Can you explain the core mission of your organization and how your technologies are advancing the field?

Takaya Taguchi (TT): We aim to realize the world’s first steady-state fusion reactor by 2034 and commercialize it in the 2040s using the “Helical Stellarator.” The Helical Stellarator was invented in Japan in the 1950s and has been studied at NIFS, the world's premier national laboratory. It is structurally more ideal for commercialization than the other types of reactors. As a great advantage, it has already cleared the scientific hurdles with the Large Helical Device (LHD) in NIFS.

SG: What are the biggest challenges your organization faces and how are you addressing them?

TT: Building the world's first commercial steady-state fusion reactor, which no one has yet achieved, is in itself a great challenge. In addition to the technical hurdles, it is necessary to build a cooperative framework with the government and research institutes, and to create significant momentum across industry, academia, and government. We are a mixed team of top researchers and members with extensive business experience, which realizes a strong business driver in terms of both technology and strategy.

SG: How does your organization differentiate itself from other companies in the sector, particularly in terms of technology and business model?

TT: The “helical stellarator” we are developing is the most commercially viable reactor format. And, by taking about 30 years of research at NIFS, one of the world's top fusion research institutes, we are confident that we are closer to realization than any fusion startup. As for the business model, we believe that ultimately the greatest advantage will be to proceed with development in the shortest possible time to achieve the goal of realizing the world's first commercial steady-state fusion reactor in 2034. Therefore, our strategy is to deprioritize other activities, including revenue generation, until we complete the Fusion Pilot Plant (first reactor) in 2034.

SG: What support has your organization received through Startup Genome/Hypergrowth?

TT: We have enjoyed the opportunity of Startup Genome's attentive and agile mentoring and matchmaking with potential investors.

SG: How does your organization plan to contribute to sector growth, and what are your long-term goals for the company?

TT: By realizing and operating the prototype before anyone else, we believe that identifying the technical issues that need to be overcome and the rules that need to be developed to commercialize fusion energy as a steady-state power source will contribute to the development of the entire sector.

After realizing the commercial steady-state reactor, spreading fusion energy by exporting the second and subsequent commercial fusion reactors to overseas markets is our option. The furnace will also be downsized, and sales channels may be expanded to meet demand from businesses and other entities that require large amounts of power on an individual basis. Specifically, we will respond to individual demand for data centers and large ships.

For a deeper look at the Tokyo ecosystem and to learn more about the Global Hypergrowth Tokyo cohort companies, Explore Tokyo.