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<\/a>\nThrough this funding round, SLE will accelerate the FAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) project, which aims to demonstrate fusion power generation in the 2030s. The funds will be used to advance engineering design toward actual plant construction, research and development, site selection and regulatory compliance, and supply chain development. In addition, SLE will strengthen its human resources and organizational capabilities essential for driving the project forward. Looking ahead to the realization and societal implementation of commercial plants, SLE will work to foster the development of the fusion energy industry.<\/p>
\n*1 Based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = JPY 162.\n
\n1. Background of the Funding<\/b><\/p>
\nGlobally, competition to achieve fusion power demonstration, commercialization, and eventual societal deployment is accelerating. In Japan, the demonstration of fusion power in the 2030s has been positioned as a national strategic priority. Policy support is gaining momentum, including initiatives to support technology development by startups and the formulation of public-private investment roadmaps, aimed at transitioning from the research and development (R&D) phase to social implementation and industrialization.<\/p>
\nAgainst this backdrop, SLE is advancing the \u201cFAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak)\u201d project\u2014an industry-academia initiative aimed at demonstrating fusion power generation and achieving subsequent commercialization and social implementation under private-sector leadership. FAST adopts a tokamak configuration, leveraging decades of accumulated research achievements and experimental data developed by researchers at national laboratories and universities through projects such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the Japan\u2013EU joint project \u201cJT-60SA,\u201d as well as Japan\u2019s strong manufacturing and industrial base. In addition, the design and development of FAST are being driven by some of Japan\u2019s leading researchers in tokamak systems and plasma science, who have joined the project as key members. Engineering design and preparation for construction are currently progressing steadily.<\/p>
\nTo accelerate business development, it is essential to speed up design activities and the technological development of FAST as well as for future commercial plants. Expanding joint research initiatives and partnerships that support these efforts are critical. To drive these initiatives, rapid organizational growth is fundamental. To this end, SLE established a new executive structure in April 2026 and has begun full-scale efforts to strengthen its human resources and organizational capabilities in parallel with business development. Specifically, SLE plans to expand its workforce to approximately 200 employees over the next two years and is actively strengthening its recruitment efforts. By fully leveraging the funds raised in this first external financing, SLE will advance these initiatives.<\/p>
\n2. Funding Overview<\/b><\/p>
\nAmount:<\/b><\/p>
\nJPY 6.06 billion (USD 37.4 million)\n
\nPurpose of the Funding:<\/b><\/p> \nInvestors:<\/b><\/p> \n*Listed in order, with the lead investor, its LPs, and affiliated entities presented first, followed by investors in Japanese alphabetical order:<\/p> \n3. Message from Kiyotaka Kikuchi, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)<\/b><\/p> \nI would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported and endorsed our vision through this financing round.<\/p> \nAchieving fusion power generation and its eventual deployment in society cannot be accomplished by a single company alone. It is a grand challenge that must be advanced through collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, government and local authorities, as well as regional communities. With a strong commitment to our mission\u2014\u201cBringing fusion energy to the world\u201d\u2014we are dedicated to playing a central role in this effort, fully recognizing the responsibility it entails and pursuing our business with unwavering focus.<\/p> \nThis marks our first external fundraising since our establishment, and we are deeply encouraged by the significant level of confidence and expectations placed in us despite being just over a year into our journey. We see this not only as a reflection of the growing global desire for fusion energy, but also as a strong vote of confidence in our vision and executional capabilities.<\/p> \nBy making full use of the funds raised, we will accelerate the FAST project across multiple dimensions, including engineering design, research and development, joint research and partnerships, site selection and regulatory processes, supply chain development, as well as the strengthening of our human resources and organizational structure.<\/p> \nWe remain firmly committed to advancing toward fusion power demonstration in the 2030s, and beyond that, to the development and deployment of commercial fusion power plants and the realization of fusion energy.<\/p> \n4. About the FAST Project<\/b><\/p> \n\u201cFAST (Fusion by Advanced Superconducting Tokamak)\u201d is a privately led domestic project aimed at demonstrating fusion power generation in the 2030s. The project seeks to generate and sustain burning plasma through deuterium\u2013tritium (D\u2013T) fusion reactions, while demonstrating an integrated fusion power generation system that combines energy conversion and fuel cycle technologies. For plasma confinement, FAST adopts the tokamak configuration, which has the most extensive body of research and experimental data, enabling effective cost control and technological risk management. The project has completed its conceptual design phase and is currently advancing engineering design and preparation for construction.<\/p> \nIn addition to SLE, FAST brings together leading fusion researchers in Japan as well as a wide range of private-sector partners, including Kyoto Fusioneering, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Electric Power Development (J-POWER), JGC JAPAN Corporation, Hitachi, Fujikura, Furukawa Electric, Marubeni Corporation, Kajima Corporation, Kyocera, Mitsui & Co., Mitsui Fudosan, and Mitsubishi Corporation. Furthermore, the project is promoted through industry\u2013academia collaboration, including a social collaboration program with the University of Tokyo involving SLE and other private companies, as well as joint research initiatives with Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, and Keio University.<\/p> \n5. About Starlight Engine Ltd.<\/b><\/p> \nStarlight Engine is a startup dedicated to realizing fusion energy. Guided by its vision, \u201cPOWERING the FUTURE,\u201d SLE aims to expand human potential and support the future by creating the power needed at a planetary scale. Established in April 2025 as a group company of Kyoto Fusioneering, SLE is driving the industry\u2013academia collaborative project \u201cFAST,\u201d a privately led initiative aiming to demonstrate fusion power generation in the 2030s, as well as pursuing its subsequent social implementation.<\/p> \nStarlight Engine will play a central role in the following initiatives:<\/p> \nCompany Information:<\/b> https:\/\/sle.energy\/en\/about-sle\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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