e-cloud NEXT Completes Formation of Second Fund Targeting Nuclear Fusion Startup Helical Fusion

e-cloud Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Naohiko Hatae; hereinafter "e-cloud"), which operates a startup investment platform, announced the completion of the formation of its second fund targeting Helical Fusion Inc., a company aiming for the world's first commercialization of fusion energy, within "e-cloud NEXT," a member-exclusive individual stock fund specializing in middle-to-later stage startups. Since its service launch in August 2025, e-cloud NEXT has formed individual stock funds for multiple startups. Funds targeting Helical Fusion were completed in October 2025 and March 2026. *Members: Individuals and corporations registered as investors with e-cloud NEXT are referred to as "members." ■ Investment Target ── About Helical Fusion Inc. Helical Fusion is a deep tech startup aiming for the world's first commercialization of fusion energy (nuclear fusion). Fusion energy, as a next-generation power generation technology that generates energy on the same principle as the sun, is positioned as a national theme indispensable for realizing energy security and a decarbonized society. The company is challenging global energy problems from Japan, leveraging its unique technological approach called the helical method. At e-cloud NEXT, we target middle-to-later stage companies looking towards future IPOs, and by utilizing the know-how cultivated in VC (Venture Capital) and finance, along with our alliance network including securities companies, we discover growth companies for investment and form and provide individual stock funds. Helical Fusion is one such representative investment target. ■ Individual Investor Participation in Challenges through Individual Stock Funds Investment in middle-to-later stage startups looking towards future IPOs has traditionally been a world dominated by institutional investors. e-cloud NEXT is opening up investment opportunities in carefully selected growth companies to individual investors in the form of individual stock funds. Many individual investors who wish to support the challenge of shaping Japan's future through fusion energy, in the form of investment, participated in the two funds targeting Helical Fusion. Our mission to connect individual financial assets to domestic growth industries is beginning to materialize in a concrete way. ■ Voices of Individual Investors "I invested with a sense of support for Japan's energy future." "Fusion energy is an absolutely necessary technology for the next generation. I'm happy to be involved through investment." "I feel that the era has come when even individuals can make serious startup investments." "I feel meaning in being able to watch Helical Fusion's challenge and progress as an investor." "I hope mechanisms like e-cloud NEXT spread more widely. I look forward to future projects." *Excerpts and summaries ■ Comment from Koya Taguchi, Representative Director & CEO, Helical Fusion Inc. In just about four months since receiving support from individual investors through e-cloud's previous fund, attention to the commercialization of fusion energy, also considering global circumstances, has further increased. Helical Fusion has been advancing development with a focus on realizing a "baseload power source" that will sustain civilization in the future and building it as an industry rooted in Japan. Therefore, this business has the meaning of directly connecting to each individual's future relationship with energy. Through the two funds, including the previous one, receiving investment support and enthusiastic encouragement from more people than imagined has been extremely encouraging for the team. We are grateful to all investors and to e-cloud for continuously expanding the circle of support, and we will strive towards realizing the fusion energy industry. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000065.000089262.html ■ Comment from Naohiko Hatae, Representative Director, e-cloud Inc. We are very pleased to have formed the second fund targeting Helical Fusion. Many individual investors have participated in this grand challenge originating from Japan, fusion energy, in the form of investment. Until now, investment in middle-to-later stage startups in Japan...