The UK government has allocated GBP20 million (USD25.5 million) to launch Starmaker One, a private fusion investment fund aimed at supporting growth and commercialization in the fusion energy sector. This limited partnership, with the government as a key investor, could raise between GBP100 million and GBP150 million in total, including the initial government contribution from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s 2024/2025 Research and Development budget. East X Ventures, the venture capital division of London-based East X, a firm focused on global commodity markets, will manage the fund.

Starmaker One stands out as the first early-stage fusion energy venture capital fund outside the U.S. and the first to feature government investment. The government anticipates that this initial funding will attract additional private sector investment as the fusion industry expands. This follows a January commitment of GBP410 million for UK fusion research and international collaboration, marking a significant push in the field.

The government noted: “Companies in the UK have often identified lack of access to capital as a barrier to scaling up and commercialising their businesses.” This investment aims to instill confidence in private investors, fostering fusion’s potential as a vast energy source and keeping the UK competitive globally. The funding will aid small fusion firms in training staff in areas like physics, engineering, and chemistry, while also supporting technology development for applications in magnetics, industrial AI, robotics, healthcare, transportation, and energy storage.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the broader impact: “Fusion has the potential to provide us with energy security, whilst attracting the best technologies to our shores and training up the next generation of British scientists and engineers. We are backing both nuclear and fusion power, and today we take a step forward in growing this exciting industry.” The initiative aligns with efforts to advance clean energy solutions and bolster workforce skills.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which conducts fusion research for the government, endorsed the move. Tim Bestwick, UKAEA Chief Technology Officer and Deputy CEO, stated: “UKAEA welcomes the new fusion fund, Starmaker One, backed by UK government and managed by East X Ventures. The field of fusion is a powerful driving force for innovation, and we’re just starting to see the expanse of opportunity this is bringing. The Starmaker One fund will help develop this innovation into exciting new businesses.” This collaboration signals a promising step for fusion energy’s growth in the UK.