Cracks are starting to form on fusion energy’s funding boom

Fusion startups have raised $1.6B in 12 months, but industry unity is fracturing over strategy. TAE Technologies and General Fusion are going public via SPAC mergers despite concerns they lack critical technical milestones like scientific breakeven, raising questions about whether investor exit timelines outpace engineering progress. The divergence also splits startups on whether to pursue near-term revenue (power electronics, radiation therapy) or stay focused on fusion R&D.