How can innovative product management and diverse talent transform nuclear fusion from a scientific concept into a scalable, clean energy solution for our global climate crisis? The scale and urgency of the transformation required to fight climate change has never been more clear. Building hardware and software products, acquiring the funding and creating a diverse community to enhance talent capacity and to drive innovation, is essential to tackling this global environmental crisis. In this podcast episode, Silicon Valley Bank SVP of Climate Tech & Sustainability Maggie Wong will be interviewing Thea Energy CEO & Co-Founder Brian Berzin to discuss delivering large-scale sustainable energy with commercial nuclear fusion.
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Show Notes
- Fusion is a clean energy technology that replicates the sun’s process of creating energy by fusing hydrogen atoms.
- The fusion industry has grown from a few startups in 2017 to over 50 today, signaling increasing interest and potential.
- Theia Energy spun out of Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, leveraging 70 years of scientific research.
- Fusion is fundamentally different from fission: it’s fail-safe, creates no long-lived radioactive waste, and has minimal proliferation risks.
- The U.S. has developed a supportive regulatory framework for fusion technologies, treating them similarly to particle accelerators.
- Theia uses a software-driven approach to make fusion technology more adaptable and cost-effective.
- Diversity of talent and perspectives is crucial for driving innovation in fusion technology.
- The goal is to develop utility-scale power plants generating around 450 megawatts of electricity.
- Fusion energy aims to be a scalable, carbon-free solution to meet growing global energy demands.
- The technology must align with existing energy infrastructure and grid capabilities.
- Commercialization of fusion requires a focus on practical engineering and manufacturing processes.
- Software and control systems are key to optimizing fusion device performance.
- The fusion industry is moving from a scientific concept to a practical energy solution.
- Theia Energy emphasizes attracting talent from diverse industries to drive innovation.
- The company focuses on creating a repeatable, scalable manufacturing approach for fusion technology.
- Fusion has the potential to provide a limitless, clean energy source using abundant hydrogen.
- The technology addresses growing energy needs, including demands from AI and data centers.
- Successful fusion requires balancing scientific innovation with practical engineering constraints.
- The approach prioritizes creating a power plant that can operate efficiently for decades.
- Fusion represents a potential transformative solution to global energy and climate challenges.
About the speaker
Brian Berzin is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thea Energy, a fusion technology company leveraging simpler, manufacturable hardware and software controls to create clean and abundant energy. Since launching the company in 2022, Brian has grown the Thea Energy team to over 50 employees and demonstrated the Company’s core technologies at fusion relevant scale. Brian has a diverse background as an engineer, operator, and investor, spanning deep tech, venture capital, and private equity. While at Aeterna Capital Partners, Brian grew a multi-family office investing across venture capital and private equity opportunities. Brian also has deep experience within the privately funded fusion industry, previously serving as a Vice President and Officer of General Fusion. During his time at General Fusion, Brian led various initiatives including corporate and commercialization strategy as well as engagement with capital markets. Prior to his time at General Fusion, Brian worked within Houlihan Lokey’s Private Growth Equity Capital group, helping to grow venture-stage technology companies. Prior to his time in growth equity and investment banking, he founded two businesses focusing on switching power supplies and LED lighting technology. Brian is a graduate of Lehigh University with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Finance. As part of the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise, he also published research on the European sovereign debt crisis.
About the host
Maggie Wong is an accomplished product management and capital markets leader with over 15 years of experience in driving product strategy, delivering global products, fundraising & capital allocation, and leading cross-functional teams. Outside of her role at Silicon Valley Bank to support New York / East Coast based climate tech companies and investors, she is also experienced in increasing program impact, growing community reach and implementing DEI initiatives at travel and fintech non-profits. Maggie is passionate about making a social impact for the next generation, tackling climate change and traveling. She is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and a beginner in Spanish.