TechCrunch Startup News Fusion startup Helion hits blistering temps as it races toward 2028 deadline
Feb 16, 2026
A fusion device reached 150 million °C, marking a big temperature milestone. They discuss the switch to deuterium-tritium fuel and plans to move to deuterium-helium. The conversation covers direct electricity recovery from fusion pulses and circuit improvements. Listeners hear about the 2028 power contract with Microsoft and the race among rival fusion startups.
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Direct Electricity From Fusion Pulses
- Helion's Polaris reached 150 million °C using deuterium-tritium fuel, marking major progress toward commercial fusion.
- The company focuses on generating electricity directly from fusion pulses rather than extracting heat first.
Funding And A Microsoft Power Deal
- Helion raised $425 million last year from investors including Sam Altman, Lightspeed, and SoftBank.
- The company has a Microsoft contract to sell electricity starting in 2028 from its larger Orion reactor.
Higher Temperatures For A Different Reactor
- Helion uses a field-reversed configuration that needs plasmas roughly twice as hot as tokamaks to operate.
- The startup aims for an operational sweet spot near 200 million °C because of its design and fuel choice.