Marvel Fusion raised EUR 35 million from Earlybird and other prominent investors

• The energy pioneer pursues a new and more economically attractive fusion technology which promises a fast-track route to commercial application.
• The company’s new energy technology could provide an unlimited zero-emission energy source leaving no problematic radioactive, long-lasting waste as by-products.
• Instead of heating the fuel plasma to very high temperatures, Marvel Fusion precisely controls the conversion of input laser energy to accelerated fuel particles through the design of its nanostructured targets. This approach allows for higher efficiency in triggering fusion reactions and greater energy yields.

Backed by lead investor Earlybird, the fusion technology pioneer Marvel Fusion has raised EUR 35 million in its Series A financing to advance its theoretical and experimental campaigns in the development of a novel approach to fusion energy. Collaborating with Siemens Energy, TRUMPF and Thales, Marvel Fusion seeks to provide access to abundant zero-carbon emission energy for a large range of global energy consumers.

Fusion energy is recognized as a potential game-changer in addressing climate change and rising global energy demand. In 2021, the fusion industry managed to attract more than EUR 2.3 billion in VC funding, albeit predominantly in the US. Marvel Fusion now aims to leverage the expertise of European tech leaders to develop commercially viable and uncompromisingly safe fusion-power plant technology. Marvel Fusion’s team pursues a new and more economically attractive fusion technology, and a fast-track route to the commercial application of fusion energy. Marvel Fusion precisely controls the conversion of input laser energy to accelerated fuel particles through the design of its nanostructured targets. This approach allows for higher efficiency in triggering fusion reactions and greater energy yields.

“Fusion is an essential component of the energy sovereignty of Europe and Germany.” (Peter Leibinger, Chief Technology Officer, TRUMPF)

In a future powerplant based on Marvel Fusion’s technology, electricity will be produced with zero-carbon emissions and without any problematic, long-lived waste. Marvel Fusion’s approach to fusion energy comprises in part a novel class of ultra–short, ultra-intense lasers interacting with proprietary nano-structured fuels. The applied laser technology is based on the approach from Donna Strickland and Gérard Mourou who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018. The ongoing collaboration combines Marvel Fusion’s novel approach to fusion energy with the renowned expertise of Siemens Energy, TRUMPF, and Thales. Led by its Chief Technology Officer Dr. Georg Korn, one of the architects of the ELI infrastructure with the world’s most powerful laser systems, Marvel Fusion has begun experimental campaigns in the US and in Japan, validating essential parts of its novel fusion concept.

To further advance its technology development, Marvel Fusion raised EUR 35 million in its Series A, led by Earlybird with significant contributions from PRIMEPULSE, Tobi Lütke and Fiona McKean’s Thistledown Capital, Taavet Hinrikus & Sten Tamkivi (OÜ Notorius), Nicolas Berggruen Charitable Trust and Heinz Dürr Invest GmbH among others. Existing investors Hartmut Neven, Albert Wenger, and Chris Hitchen’s Possible Ventures also participated in the round. To date, Marvel Fusion has raised EUR 60 million in total funds.

A novel fusion concept with “disruptive potential” (S. Glenzer, Stanford University)

Leading international scientists in the field of laser technology and materials science are increasingly recognizing the potential of Marvel Fusion’s technology. Prof. Siegfried Glenzer, professor at Stanford and director of the High Energy Density Division at SLAC Linear Accelerator Center says: “This is a completely new technology concept with disruptive potential. It can open a completely new path to fusion, which enables commercial power generation.” Prof. Glenzer is one of Marvel Fusion’s science advisors.