Sydney-based nuclear fusion startup HB11 has signed a significant deal with European laser consortium ELI ERIC to supply laser targets, marking a critical step in HB11’s ambitions to commercialize fusion energy technology. ELI ERIC, a €900 million EU-backed collaboration across the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania, operates the world’s most advanced laser facilities. The agreement was signed in the presence of Czech President Petr Pavel, underscoring its global significance.
HB11, which uses lasers to fuse hydrogen and boron-11 atoms, sees the laser targets as an immediate revenue stream while it continues developing its fusion technology. Founder Warren McKenzie emphasized that cutting-edge laser capabilities are limited by the targets they fire at, making this partnership essential for advancing fusion research.
While HB11 plans to begin selling lasers to universities and research institutions next year, it also eyes defense applications in the future. The company is raising a “tens of millions” seed round, largely targeting overseas investors due to the lack of deep tech expertise among Australian VCs.
Fusion technology, though decades away from commercial adoption, offers the promise of clean, sustainable energy, potentially outlasting fission-based systems.
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