TechCrunch Startup News Sam Altman-backed fusion startup Helion in talks with OpenAI; plus, the SEC dropped its four-year-old investigation into EV startup Faraday Future
Mar 24, 2026
Talks about a potential deal for fusion startup Helion to sell part of its power output to a leading AI company. Breaks down Helion's reactor design, prototype milestones, and what scaling would require. Covers the SEC closing a long-running probe into an electric vehicle startup after subpoenas and whistleblower claims.
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OpenAI Could Lock In Gigawatts From Helion
- OpenAI is reportedly negotiating to secure 12.5% of Helion's fusion output, implying massive future power commitments.
- The deal would guarantee 5 GW by 2030 and 50 GW by 2035, meaning Helion must install ~800 reactors by 2030 and ~8,000 total by 2035.
Helion's Direct Electricity Fusion Design
- Helion uses a magnet-driven approach to convert fusion reactions directly into electricity rather than harvesting heat for turbines.
- Its hourglass reactor shoots plasma from both ends, compresses the merged plasma, and converts the reaction's push on magnets into power.
Polaris Hit 150 Million Degrees
- Helion's Polaris prototype recently produced plasmas at 150 million °C, approaching the ~200 million °C the company targets for commercial runs.
- That milestone shows progress toward commercial readiness as Helion races to build its first commercial-scale reactor.