Helical Fusion Selected for Aichi Prefecture’s Deep-Tech Startup Acceleration Program “Aichi Deeptech Launchpad” for the Third Consecutive Year – Backed by Japan’s Leading Manufacturing Hub

Partnering with Aichi-based manufacturing company and leveraging approximately JPY 40 million (USD 270,000) in R&D funding to accelerate development

Helical Fusion, which is developing a Helical-Stellarator fusion reactor under its Helix Program with the goal of achieving the world’s first commercially viable fusion machine, has been selected for the 2025 “Aichi Deeptech Launchpad”, a deep-tech startup acceleration program organized by Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Group photo of representatives from 5 startups selected for the Aichi Deeptech Launchpad and program supporters.

This marks our third consecutive selection, following 2023 and 2024. The program, jointly operated by Aichi Prefecture, CIC Institute, Leave a Nest, and For Startups, provides sustained, specialized support for deep-tech startups. Leveraging this strong backing—together with approximately JPY 40 million (USD 270,000) in research and development funding—we will further accelerate the advancement of our core technologies.

Planned Activities During the Acceleration Program

Over the support period through March 2026, we will focus primarily on the following two areas:

1. Blanket Development

   In a commercial fusion power plant, the blanket plays a critical role in capturing energy and protecting key components. In collaboration with Ryoki Tool Co., Ltd.—a leading Aichi-based manufacturer in the aerospace sector—we will produce a prototype blanket to advance the technical maturity of this crucial component.

   
   

2. Business Development

   We will also leverage the mentoring and expertise of the program’s support team, which has extensive experience in deep-tech business development, to further accelerate our commercialization strategy.

Note: In fusion energy, a “blanket” refers to the inner wall that surrounds the plasma. It absorbs the high-energy neutrons generated by fusion reactions, converts them into heat, protects surrounding equipment such as coils, and breeds tritium fuel.

About Ryoki Tool

Ryoki Tool Company designs and manufactures molds and jigs primarily for the aerospace industry. Equipped with some of the largest facilities in Japan, the company handles one-off mold production for aircraft, as well as components for factory automation systems, railway vehicles, and road infrastructure, etc. In addition to working with Helical Fusion on blanket development, the company has already begun collaboration in the high-temperature superconducting magnet field—another core area of our technology. Their advanced capabilities in modeling complex 3D structures and high-precision machining are now being applied to the new frontier of fusion energy.

Machining of a prototype coil case. A high-hardness material is carefully milled using a five-axis machining center.