Blue Laser Fusion (BLF) – a private venture funded company with a novel laser fusion technology – recently announced it has raised a total of $25 million in its first Series Seed round funding. The major investors are two top-tier venture capitalists in Japan: JAFCO Group Co., Ltd. and SPARX Group Co., Ltd (Mirai Creation Fund III).
BLF was founded in 2022 by Shuji Nakamura, Ph.D., 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physics and Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara Hiroaki Ohta, Ph.D., General Partner of Waseda University Ventures (WUV), and Richard Ogawa, a Silicon Valley-based attorney.
With more than 200 claims in patent applications, BLF has developed a proprietary novel laser fusion technology capable of achieving the world’s first fusion for energy generation for power grids. BLF’s laser technology enables Mega Joule pulse energy laser with a fast repetition rate to achieve commercial fusion. And BLF plans to complete its first prototype in 2025 and then demonstrate a commercial-ready fusion reactor by 2030.
BLF is planning to adopt a safe hydrogen-boron fuel called “HB11” for sustainable and environmentally friendly operations. The HB11 fuel is not radioactive, is free from harmful neutrons, yields safe helium elements, and is a naturally abundant mineral.
With the success of raising a Series Seed round funding, BLF will expand R&D operation in the Santa Barbara area and Tokyo to develop its prototype commercial reactor.
KEY QUOTES:
“HB11 is the perfect fuel for fusion and has no harmful neutron or tritium elements, as conventional fusion technologies. We are pleased to be working with our group of world’s top scientists and experts to not only ignite a fusion reaction with HB11 but maintain the reaction to create clean renewable energy.”
— Hiroaki Ohta, CTO of Blue Laser Fusion
“We are delighted with the support from our investors and our funding. Blue Laser Fusion has the best fusion technology in my view to achieve commercial fusion by 2030. I am so excited with our opportunity and the support. I have always looked for ways to help change the world and save our planet from carbon.”
— Shuji Nakamura, President and CEO of Blue Laser Fusion
“Fusion is the ultimate energy source, and its successful commercialization will be a huge leap towards achieving clean and abundant energy for everyone. Advances in laser inertial technology, including Blue Laser Fusion’s ability to execute the next generation of laser technology, provide the basis for a very exciting and promising path to the ultimate sustainable energy source.”
— Keisuke Miyoshi, President & CEO and Partner of JAFCO
“We are delighted to participate with the impressive and differentiated team of successful industry leaders that Blue Laser Fusion has assembled. We look forward to supporting the BLF team as they continue to build their business through innovation and dedication.”
— Takaki Demichi, Director Head of Mirai Creation Investment (SPARX)
