Fusion control startup Fusionality raises $3.7M to standardize reactor software
Fusionality, founded by former Google DeepMind and EPFL researchers, has secured $3.7 million in pre-seed funding to create control systems and simulation tools for fusion reactors. The company aims to provide a common platform that fusion startups can tailor, addressing the industry's need for standardized control components.
The founders' backgrounds are central to the venture. Felici and Buchli met while applying AI to control a tokamak at EPFL and Google DeepMind, respectively. Felici later joined DeepMind to develop simulations and machine learning interfaces for fusion devices, giving them direct insight into the industry's control system gaps.
The startup is initially targeting magnetic confinement fusion, a method used by firms like Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Proxima Fusion. With a seven-person team, the company plans to release a small set of foundational technologies, likened to Lego blocks, before expanding its suite. The funding will support this initial development phase.
Standardizing fusion control systems could accelerate the commercialization of fusion power. By offering a common platform, Fusionality may reduce the engineering burden on individual startups, allowing them to focus on core reactor physics rather than reinventing control software. This could lower development costs and shorten timelines for bringing fusion to the grid. However, the impact depends on whether the industry adopts these shared tools, as proprietary systems might still be preferred for competitive differentiation.