Helion Energy
Facts
- HQ
- Everett, Wash.
- Sectors
- Renewable Energy Power Generation
- Founded
- 2013
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Employees
- 595
- Registered name
- Helion Energy Inc Seattle business license
- Stage
- startup
- Founders
- DAVID KIRTLEY, Chris Pihl, George Votroubek, Anthony Pancotti, John Slough
Temporal rises to No. 1 on GeekWire 200 after $550M raise at $12.55B valuation as AI and hardware firms climb
Temporal is now the No. 1 company on the GeekWire 200 after a $550 million raise valuing it at $12.55 billion and surpassing $250 million in annualized revenue; the Fall 2026 ranking highlights growth in AI software and advanced machinery for space, energy and defense across the Pacific Northwest.
Temporal raises $550M at $12.55B valuation to commercialize durable-execution backbone for AI agents
Temporal raised $550 million at a $12.55 billion valuation, more than doubling its February valuation, after building durable-execution software used by customers including OpenAI, Nvidia, Netflix, Snap and JPMorgan Chase. Co-founders Samar Abbas and Maxim Fateev say the company’s technology, developed over years from their AWS Simple Workflow Service experience, records each step of long-running distributed programs so they can survive crashes and continue rather than failing midwork.
Helion Energy boosts Series G to $500M as it pursues commercial fusion and Microsoft 2028 delivery
Helion Energy increased its Series G funding from $465 million to $500 million after adding $35 million, bringing total company funding to over $1.5 billion as it races to commercialize fusion and meet a 2028 energy supply commitment to Microsoft amid questions about its timeline and technical feasibility.
Jacob Colker announces Seattle startups score major wins: Stoke Space $1B raise, BrainChild Bio $116M, Nuance Labs $50M, Helion expands
A roundup by Jacob Colker highlights major Seattle-area tech and biotech funding and growth: Stoke Space raised $1B (now $2.3B) for reusable rockets, BrainChild Bio $116M for a CAR-T DIPG trial, General Robotics offers rapid robot deployment, Helion expands amid fusion commercialization with 800+ employees, and Nuance Labs raised $50M for multimodal AI.
Independent report: Seattle’s JumpStart payroll tax penalizes senior hires and concentrates revenue in 10 largely tech firms, risking $50M loss if one large employer shifts 10,000 workers
An independent 127-page City of Seattle-commissioned study finds the city’s tax structure, notably the JumpStart payroll tax, disproportionately penalizes hiring senior high‑pay workers and concentrates revenue risk in a few large tech employers. Researchers warn that reliance on a small number of firms—10 companies account for three-quarters of the payroll tax on large employers—exposes Seattle to significant fiscal vulnerability if large employers relocate or stock‑based compensation fluctuates.
Helion, the $15.5B startup, quietly shifts timeline for achieving commercial fusion energy
Helion, a startup valued at $15.5 billion, has quietly adjusted expectations for its fusion energy timeline, indicating it is hedging on when commercial fusion will be achieved.
Seattle’s ‘Third Act’: VCs Say Local Superstars Are Deep-Tech Startups Building Rockets, Geothermal Plants and Autonomous Vehicles
Two Seattle venture capitalists argue that the city’s next wave of superstar startups are already here but focus on deep tech—intelligent machines and physical products like rockets, geothermal plants and autonomous off-road vehicles—rather than pure software. They frame this shift as Seattle’s "Third Act," building on maritime/aerospace roots (Act I) and the software/cloud boom (Act II) to combine hardware and software using local infrastructure and talent.
Seismic completes acquisition of Highspot; product rebranded ‘Highspot by Seismic,’ Seattle kept as R&D site
Seismic completed its acquisition of Seattle-based Highspot, folding the company into Seismic and rebranding the product as “Highspot by Seismic,” while naming Seattle among several global R&D locations. The combined company—led by Seismic CEO Rob Tarkoff with Highspot co-founder Robert Wahbe expected to join the board—serves 2,500 customers and 3.5 million users and plans to invest over $100 million annually in R&D; financial terms were not disclosed.
Endurance Energy to Deploy 100 kW 'Adélie' Generator to Oregon Undersea Volcano on Sept. 7
Seattle startup Endurance Energy is preparing to deploy Adélie, a 100-kilowatt underwater geothermal generator, to an undersea volcano off Oregon on Sept. 7, aiming to tap 750°F hydrothermal fluids and scale undersea geothermal power. Founded by ex-SpaceX engineer Andrew Redd in January 2025, the company operates from a newly expanded 25,000-square-foot Seattle facility and has completed four prior ocean-floor deployments.
GeekWire Podcast: Seattle startup funding falls 40% in H1 2026 as AI redirects venture capital; Kalshi court setback and Impinj marks decade on Nasdaq
The GeekWire Podcast reports Seattle startup funding fell about 40% in H1 2026 as AI redirected venture capital, plus coverage of a Seattle judge rejecting Kalshi's federal defense, Impinj's 10th year on the Nasdaq after 26 years of growth, and nearly 40 locals trying a five-week smartphone detox.
What's going on with Seattle startup funding, a Kalshi setback, Impinj's long game, and a smartphone detox
This week on the GeekWire Podcast: Seattle startup funding drops 40% in the first half of the year while AI money floods everywhere else. We dig into the numbers and the implications for the region. Plus: a Seattle judge deals Kalshi a setback, Impinj marks a decade on the Nasdaq after a 26-year climb, and nearly 40 Seattleites trade their smartphones for flip phones for five weeks. Related Stories Venture funding drops in Seattle area as AI boom reshapes startup world Helion raises $465M at $15.5B valuation as it aims to commercialize fusion UK data center startup Nscale bets big…
Private Fusion Funding Tops $4.48B in 2025 as Helion, Backed by Sam Altman, Signs 50 MW PPA with Microsoft for 2028
Private nuclear fusion investments reached a record $4.48 billion in 2025, driven by AI data center energy demand and energy security concerns, with 71% of fusion companies expecting commercial grid power in the 2030s. Helion Energy, backed by Sam Altman, began building its Orion plant in Malaga, Washington, secured a $465 million Series G led by Thrive Capital, and holds a binding PPA to deliver at least 50 MW to Microsoft by 2028.
General Fusion’s GFUZ Debuts on Nasdaq as Fusion Private Funding Hits $4.5B in 12 Months
General Fusion became the first fusion energy company to list on a major exchange when GFUZ debuted on Nasdaq, sending its stock higher. The Fusion Industry Association report said private funding for fusion companies reached $4.5 billion in the past 12 months and $13.3 billion over five years, driven partly by demand from AI data centers and large rounds like Helion Energy’s $465 million raise.
Private Fusion Firms Raise $4.5 Billion in Funding as 70% Aim for Commercial Electricity by 2030s
Private fusion companies have raised nearly $4.5 billion in funding in the past year, a 70% increase, with over 16,000 employees worldwide. About 70% of these firms expect to deliver commercial fusion electricity by the 2030s, focusing mainly on magnetic confinement technology.
Helion’s $465M Series G Values Everett Fusion Firm Above $15B, Tops Seattle-Area 2Q VC Deals
Everett fusion-energy company Helion led greater Seattle-area 2Q venture capital deals with a $465 million Series G that valued it above $15 billion, making up nearly one-third of the region’s $1.5 billion in 2Q funding amid a year-over-year decline from $2.3 billion in 2Q 2025.
Global Fusion Investment Hits Record $4.48 Billion, Four Startups Capture Majority Including $3.85B for Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Global fusion investment reached a record $4.48 billion last year, up 69%, with four startups—Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion Energy, Proxima Fusion, and Inertia Enterprises—capturing over half the funding. Commonwealth Fusion Systems leads with a $3.85 billion round, while Helion and Proxima have notable partnerships and distinct fusion approaches.
Seattle Startups Raise $2.7B in H1 2026 — Down 40% Year‑Over‑Year While U.S. VC Hits Record $412.7B
Seattle-area startups raised $2.7 billion across 163 deals in H1 2026, a roughly 40% drop from $4.5 billion a year earlier, as national venture funding surged to a record $412.7 billion driven largely by AI mega-rounds that Seattle’s pure-play AI companies did not capture.
Cleantech Startup Funding Hits $15 Billion in First Half of 2026, Surpassing 2025 Levels with Stegra's $1.6 Billion Green Steel Deal Leading
In the first half of 2026, investors poured $15 billion into cleantech, EV, and sustainability startups, slightly exceeding 2025's low funding levels amid rising energy demand. Despite this growth, cleantech funding remains below its 2021-2022 peak and represents a smaller share compared to the AI boom, with major deals like Stockholm-based Stegra's $1.6 billion green steel project leading the sector.
Microsoft Partners with Helion Energy for Fusion-Powered Data Centers by 2028 Amid $1.5B Investment; Zap Energy Pursues Alternative Fusion and Micro-Reactors
Microsoft has contracted Helion Energy to supply electricity to future data centers powered by fusion energy, with Helion aiming to launch the world's first commercial fusion device by 2028. Meanwhile, Zap Energy, supported by the US DOE, pursues an alternative fusion approach and plans interim revenue through micro-reactors combining fusion and fission technologies.
Helion Energy to Provide Fusion Power to Microsoft Data Center by 2028 Amid $1.5B Funding; Zap Energy Raises $330M with DOE Support
Helion Energy, with $1.5 billion raised, will supply fusion-generated electricity to Microsoft's Central Washington data center by 2028, while rival Zap Energy, backed by $330 million and the U.S. Department of Energy, is also exploring nuclear fission. These moves reflect the urgent demand for power in AI data centers exceeding current grid capacity and the strategic hedging against fusion timeline risks.
Zoom to Acquire Seattle AI Startup Common Room, Known for $52M-Funded Buyer Intelligence Platform
Zoom is acquiring Common Room, a Seattle-based AI startup that developed a platform to help sales and marketing teams track customer buying signals. Common Room emerged from stealth in 2021 with $52 million in funding and was named the 2022 GeekWire Awards Startup of the Year.
Fusion energy: Wishing upon a star in a jar — Introducing 'Positive Charge' from GeekWire
This week on the show, we're sharing the debut of Positive Charge, a new GeekWire podcast from reporter Lisa Stiffler and producer Laura Scott about the innovations that could help save the planet. In this episode, they dig into the high-stakes race to harness the power of the sun and make fusion energy real, visiting two Seattle-area startups chasing this dream, and asking whether limitless clean power is finally within reach. Also out this week: their debut episode on the "forever chemicals" in our water and the companies figuring out how to destroy them. Follow Positive Charge wherever you get…
Starcloud Becomes Fastest Y Combinator Unicorn at $1.1B as Fusion Leader Helion Tops GeekWire 200 with $15.5B Valuation
The latest GeekWire 200 highlights a shift in the Pacific Northwest startup scene toward physical products like rockets, fusion reactors, and space-based data centers, with Starcloud becoming the fastest Y Combinator unicorn valued at $1.1 billion. Helion maintains the top spot with a $15.5 billion valuation, while notable companies like Stoke Space, Overland AI, and new unicorn XBOW also make significant moves.
Former First Sound Bank CEO Marty Steele Receives FDIC Approval to Launch Bellevue Community Bank
Marty Steele, former CEO of First Sound Bank, has received FDIC approval to launch a new community bank in Bellevue amid nationwide banking sector consolidation. This move aims to strengthen local banking services as many banks merge or close.
Helion Clears Regulatory Hurdles for 50-Megawatt Fusion Plant to Power Microsoft Data Center by 2028
Helion has cleared regulatory approvals for its 50-megawatt fusion plant in Central Washington, advancing plans to supply power to Microsoft's data center by 2028.
People
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David Kirtley Founder, Co-founder and CEO, Founder and CEO
