Fusion Energy Takes Center Stage with FusionX: Great Lakes Roadshow

On July 21, 2025, senior leaders from fusion energy companies, supply chain innovators, and investors will convene for FusionX: Great Lakes, an event aimed at accelerating the Midwest’s role in the burgeoning fusion energy sector.

Organized in partnership with 5 Lakes Institute, the FusionX: Great Lakes Roadshow spotlights the region as a strategic hub for fusion energy commercialization, leveraging the Midwest’s industrial strength and investment capital. Fusion energy, once considered a distant scientific ambition, has gained momentum with new technological advances and growing financial support. The event reflects this shift, focusing on real-world investment opportunities and supply chain development.

The conference will assemble a mix of institutional investors, venture capitalists, corporate executives, and government officials who are shaping fusion’s transition from laboratory concept to commercial grid integration. Attendees will hear from figures such as Michael Ginsberg, President of Tokamak Energy, and Christian Newton, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. According to the agenda, the sessions are expected to detail how “the U.S.—and regions like the Great Lakes—[can] lead in the global fusion economy.”

Key sessions include insights into how Midwest fusion companies SHINE Technologies and Realta Fusion. SHINE Technologies, based in the region, employs a four-stage approach to mitigate investment risks, while Realta Fusion recently completed a Series A funding round. The panels will explore how local resources and partnerships can facilitate scaling and development.

The supply chain segment will target Midwest manufacturers and suppliers, outlining the technical requirements and business models needed to support fusion technology. Industry representatives will discuss opportunities in high-precision manufacturing, advanced materials, and specialized engineering services - all critical to fusion device production.

A dedicated panel will look at financing fusion initiatives, provide insights into structuring investments to balance risk with potential returns and enticing various investor types including venture capital, private equity, and corporate funds. Experts will compare fusion investing to other deep-tech and energy transition opportunities, highlighting lessons from early investors in this space.

Initiatives like FusionX: Great Lakes underscore the Midwest’s ambition to lead not only in the development of new technologies but also as a centre for capital and supply chain activity. The event reflects a broader trend of increasing private and public sector interest in fusion, driven by the promise of a near-limitless energy source.

With administrators aiding ambitious fusion programs and businesses raising significant amounts of capital, the 2025 FusionX: Great Lakes conference comes at an interesting moment. How the Midwest leverages its industrial base and investment community may prove critical in shaping the future fusion landscape in our region and beyond.