Pranos Fusion, a startup focused on nuclear energy, has successfully raised $6.8 million (approximately ₹63 crore) in a recent funding round. This round was co-led by pi Ventures and Ankur Capital, with contributions from notable investors including Groww co-founder Lalit Keshre and the founders of Razorpay.
The Bengaluru-based company plans to utilize the new funds to bolster its research and development efforts, particularly in creating high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. Additionally, Pranos aims to expedite the commissioning of a Tokamak, with the first delivery anticipated in 2026. A significant portion of the funds will also go towards expanding its workforce and enhancing testing facilities.
A Tokamak is a type of reactor that employs strong magnetic fields to contain hot plasma, preventing it from coming into contact with the reactor walls, thus facilitating nuclear fusion energy generation.
Founded in 2024 by Shaurya Kaushal and Roshan George, Pranos Fusion is dedicated to developing nuclear fusion technology that utilizes magnetic confinement to produce clean energy. The startup was incubated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and the Institute for Plasma Research, and it has established connections with the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor).
This funding round marks the second for Pranos, which previously raised ₹3.5 crore in May 2025 and received a ₹20 lakh grant from the Startup India Seed Fund. Kaushal emphasized the urgency of this funding, stating, "Pranos is at the same starting point as global players. Delaying hardware development could risk our position in the market."
As the world pushes for net-zero emissions and seeks sustainable energy solutions, nuclear fusion presents a promising avenue to overcome various challenges in the energy sector. Fusion reactions generate power by fusing small atomic nuclei, typically forms of hydrogen, resulting in significant energy release.
Pranos is currently developing three key offerings:
- PRAGYA: A low-aspect-ratio, medium-scale testing Tokamak for technology testing, though not suitable for actual fusion.
- JENGA: A software tool that connects Tokamak concepts with machine design and control, expected to generate revenue soon.
- MAGGA Magnetic Gain: Development of its own superconducting magnets, currently in the R&D phase.
Kaushal noted that while Pranos is not yet operating commercially, JENGA is on track for pilot-stage rollout next year after completing prototyping. The startup is collaborating with third-party manufacturers across Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai and is exploring partnerships with fusion energy startups in Europe.
Currently, no company is producing commercially viable electricity from fusion reactions, despite some achieving short bursts of fusion in laboratory settings. Other startups, such as Helion Energy and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, have made progress but have yet to commercialize their technologies.
