Genesia Ventures Makes Follow-on Investment in Fusion Energy Startup MiRESSO
Genesia Ventures announces a follow-on investment in the Series A round of MiRESSO, a fusion energy startup. The investment was made through Genesia Venture Fund 3 (GV-3).
Investment Background
Fusion power generation has seen rapid development in recent years and requires significant amounts of beryllium to serve as a neutron multiplier for fuel security. However, the current beryllium production capacity is severely limited and prices remain high. This situation is likely to become a critical bottleneck hindering the widespread implementation of fusion power technology.
MiRESSO’s innovative low-temperature refining technology allows mineral resources that traditionally required high-temperature processing to be refined at significantly lower costs with improved energy efficiency. By enabling the widespread adoption of fusion power generation, this technology could provide a fundamental solution to both energy and environmental challenges—two of humanity’s most pressing concerns.
The company’s mineral refining technology operates at low temperature, normal pressure, and produces minimal CO2 emissions. This technology extends beyond beryllium to various rare metals that traditionally required energy-intensive high-temperature processing. By combining substantial energy savings with reduced carbon emissions, this innovative approach directly supports the transition to a carbon-neutral society. The resulting circular economy model could secure stable supplies of strategic materials for Japan, which currently relies heavily on imported metal resources—a key factor driving this additional investment.
Business Overview
MiRESSO’s mission is to “unlock the potential of mineral resources to connect a bright future to the next generation.” Their vision focuses on “contributing to the social implementation of fusion energy through the stable supply of beryllium.” The company pursues the following business areas:
- Beryllium manufacturing and sales: Production of beryllium for fusion energy applications using proprietary low-temperature refining technology.
- Technology platform business: Offering MiRESSO’s low-temperature refining technology as a platform that provides tailored refining process solutions and technology licenses for various mineral resource challenges, including recycling applications.
Use of Funds and Future Prospects
MiRESSO will invest the raised funds in constructing its beryllium manufacturing pilot plant, BETA (Beryllium Testing plant in Aomori), at Pacific Metals Co., Ltd.’s facility (5-2 Toyama Shinden, Kawaragi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture) under a comprehensive business partnership. The company plans to begin beryllium production at this plant by fiscal year 2027.
About the Investment
Shu Sokabe, Investment Manager, Genesia Ventures
Founded on innovative insights from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), MiRESSO is positioned at the forefront of fusion energy innovation. By 2050, fusion power generation is projected to create a cumulative market worth approximately 100 trillion yen, garnering global attention as a technology that could fundamentally transform humanity’s energy landscape. A critical component of this development is ensuring a stable beryllium supply, which is essential for reactor vessel linings and plasma control. Today, only high-cost refining methods have been commercialized, and we anticipate that these cost factors will increasingly constrain market growth.
MiRESSO is revolutionizing beryllium supply by reducing costs through its innovative low-temperature refining technology—a clear departure from conventional methods. Building on our seed-stage support, Genesia Ventures has made this follow-on investment in the Series A round to accelerate the development of the BETA pilot plant. We have strong confidence in the MiRESSO team’s exceptional R&D capabilities and business acumen as they bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and commercial application.
Company Overview
Company Name: MiRESSO Co., Ltd.
Website: https://miresso.co.jp/
Established: May 16, 2023
Location: Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture
Representative: CEO Masaru Nakamichi
