Uri Shumlak
Uri Shumlak is a University Professor at the University of Washington and serves as Chief Scientist, Co-Founder, and Board Member at Zap Energy. He previously co-founded Zplasma and has expertise as a professor and researcher in his field.
Zap Energy Raises Nearly $130 Million to Develop Commercial Fusion Power, Total Funding Reaches $330 Million
Zap Energy, a fusion energy startup based in Everett, Washington, is raising nearly $130 million to advance its goal of developing commercially viable fusion power, bringing its total venture funding to approximately $330 million. The company is part of a growing fusion sector attracting billions in investment aiming to create clean, carbon-free energy.
Zap Energy Debuts Custom FuZE Grill Inspired by Fusion Devices at Everett Headquarters BBQ
Zap Energy, a Seattle-area fusion startup, hosted a summer BBQ at its new Everett headquarters featuring a custom FuZE Grill made by construction company Trico that resembles its fusion devices. The event showcased fusion-themed dishes and attracted about 40 attendees.
Zap Energy Secures $5M DOE Grant for Fusion Power Development with FuZE-Q Device Targeting 2030 Grid Integration
Zap Energy received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support its development of fusion power using its fourth-generation Z-pinch device, FuZE-Q, aiming for commercial fusion energy by 2030. Despite challenges, the DOE funding serves as a significant national-level endorsement of Zap's work toward achieving fusion breakeven.
Pacific Northwest Startup Funding Drops 35% in 2022, TerraPower Leads Top Rounds with $750M Investment
Venture capital investment in Pacific Northwest startups dropped 35% in 2022, with funding decreasing over 50% in the year's second half amid economic cooling and rising interest rates. Despite this slowdown, some startups like Bellevue-based TerraPower secured significant funding, with its $750 million round leading the top 10 deals that accounted for 44% of total investment in the region.
Seattle's Zap Energy Raises $160M Led by Bill Gates and Creates Plasma in Fusion Prototype
Seattle startup Zap Energy announced a breakthrough in fusion power by creating plasma in its latest prototype and raising $160 million in funding led by Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The company aims to achieve fusion breakeven by increasing current in its innovative Z-pinch device.
Zap Energy raises $27.5M Series B to develop magnet-free commercial fusion reactor
Seattle startup Zap Energy raised $27.5 million in a Series B to advance a magnet-free fusion reactor that stabilizes plasma with sheared flows, aiming to lower costs and speed deployment of low-carbon fusion. The company, founded in 2017 and rooted in University of Washington and Lawrence Livermore research, has now raised over $34 million total.
Organizations
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Zap Energy Director 2019–present, Chief Scientist, Co-Founder, Board Member 2017–present · current
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University of Washington University Professor 1995–present · current
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University of Washington / Zap Energy Professor and Co-founder · current
Education
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University of California, Berkeley Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Nuclear Engineering
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Texas A&M University Bachelor of Science - BS, Nuclear Engineering
