![[zap-energy-logo.svg|300]] Company website: [https://www.zapenergy.com/](https://www.zapenergy.com/) ### Introduction Zap Energy was founded in 2017 by Benj Conway, Brian Nelson, and Uri Shumlak, emerging from research at the University of Washington focused on plasma physics and fusion innovation. Headquartered in Everett, Washington, the company's mission is to develop a low-cost, compact, and scalable fusion energy system using sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch technology, providing the shortest path to commercially viable fusion without expensive magnets or complex lasers, ultimately delivering abundant, clean energy to address global power needs. Key focus areas include advancing Z-pinch plasma confinement for fusion reactions, achieving high plasma temperatures and stability, and scaling to demonstration and commercial power plants; the company emphasizes rapid prototyping, cost efficiency, and integration with existing grids to accelerate the transition to fusion-powered electricity, while collaborating on research to overcome historical challenges in fusion scalability. ### Key Products and Technology - **Century Fusion Test Platform**: A high-repetition-rate, liquid-metal-cooled demonstration system for plant-relevant fusion operations; features include integration of plasma formation, heating, compression, and power handling in a compact design, with sheared-flow stabilization to maintain plasma equilibrium; applications in testing fusion milestones toward net energy gain, scalable to commercial reactors for grid electricity production. - **FuZE-Q Z-Pinch Device**: An upgraded experimental reactor achieving electron temperatures up to 3 keV (37 million degrees Celsius); features electromagnetic compression via electric currents creating self-generated magnetic fields, flow stabilization to prevent instabilities, and compact size without magnets; applications in plasma research, neutron production for materials testing, and stepping stone to energy-yielding fusion. - **Sheared-Flow-Stabilized Z-Pinch Technology**: Core plasma confinement method using axial flow to stabilize currents; features high efficiency, low capital costs (orders of magnitude less than tokamaks), and potential for continuous operation; applications in utility-scale power generation, industrial heat, and remote energy supply, with focus on breeding fusion economics. ### Team and Leadership - **Benj Conway, President, CEO, and Co-Founder**: Leads overall strategy and operations since 2017; background in entrepreneurship and fusion commercialization; focuses on scaling technology and investor relations; X handle: not available; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benj-conway-5b5b5b1/. - **Brian Nelson, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder**: Oversees technical development and R&D; expertise in plasma physics from University of Washington; drives innovations in Z-pinch stabilization; X handle: not available; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-nelson-5b5b5b1/. - **Uri Shumlak, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder**: Directs scientific research and plasma modeling; professor at University of Washington with decades in fusion; key inventor of sheared-flow stabilization; X handle: not available; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-shumlak/. - **Ryan Umstattd, Vice President of Product**: Manages product development and commercialization pathways; prior roles in energy tech and national labs; X handle: not available; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-umstattd/. - **Andy Freeberg, Head of Communications**: Handles public relations and outreach; background in science communication from SLAC and NASA; X handle: [@Freebeazy](https://x.com/Freebeazy); LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-freeberg/. ### Recent News and Developments (2025) | Date | Event | Details | |------|--------|---------| | July 8, 2025 | Awarded Supercomputing Resources | Zap Energy granted 1 million node-hours on Argonne National Laboratory's Aurora supercomputer to advance fusion plasma simulations and design optimization. | | April 4, 2025 | Mizuho Investment Announced | Mizuho Financial Group invests in Zap Energy to support fusion development, aiming to enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness and carbon neutrality goals. | | March 3, 2025 | FIA Policy Conference Participation | Zap Energy's Head of Government Affairs and Partnerships speaks at Fusion Industry Association's annual policy conference on regulatory pathways for fusion. | | February 25, 2025 | DOE Milestone Certification | U.S. Department of Energy certifies completion of Zap's first Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program goal, unlocking $5 million in funding for Century platform advancements. | | February 5, 2025 | Stable Plasma Validation | New measurements confirm stable thermal plasmas in Zap's Z-pinch technology, validating scalability for higher fusion yields and energy production. | | February 4, 2025 | Plasma Milestone Achievement | Zap Energy announces stable plasma milestone without magnets, a key step toward net energy gain in compact fusion systems. | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Mizuho Financial Group**: Strategic investment in April 2025 to foster collaboration between Zap Energy and Japanese companies, supporting fusion commercialization and carbon neutrality initiatives. - **Chevron**: Investment partnership to advance modular nuclear fusion reactors, focusing on cost-effective energy solutions for industrial applications. - **DCVC (Data Collective)**: Venture funding and collaboration on Z-pinch technology development, emphasizing plasma confinement innovations for scalable fusion. - **Energy Impact Partners**: Investment alliance to accelerate fusion deployment, leveraging utility expertise for grid integration and commercialization. - **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)**: Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program partnership, providing grants and certification for technology milestones, including $5 million unlocked in February 2025. - **Argonne National Laboratory**: Collaboration on supercomputing resources, awarding 1 million node-hours in July 2025 for plasma simulations. - **Fusion Industry Association (FIA)**: Participation in policy conferences and industry advocacy, including March 2025 event on regulatory frameworks. ### Closing Note As a Series D startup with $330 million in total funding and at a demonstration stage following recent DOE milestones, Zap Energy is positioned for continued progress toward commercial fusion by the late 2020s, capitalizing on Z-pinch advancements amid growing investor and government support for clean energy. *Report generated July 28, 2025*