At 19, I Started a Fusion Energy Company Without Going to College: My Journey in Pioneering Civilization-Altering Technology

As a trailblazing entrepreneur, I've taken the unconventional route of starting my own company, Fuse, at just 19 years old, and have since made significant progress in accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy.

1. Fuse is a company working towards accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy.
2. The founder, Jes Kozyra, started the company at age 19, without attending college.
3. Kozyra was driven by the desire to contribute to something civilization-altering and felt that starting a company was the fastest way to make progress.
4. Fuse is the only fusion company that has delivered experimental results of a new technology methodology that no one has built before.
5. They have raised over $50 million in capital, work with the US military and government, and have proven their machine at scale.
6. Kozyra's father is a nuclear physicist, sparking his early interest in science and technology.
7. He learned quickly that academia might not be the best path for rapid progress in technology development.
8. Before Fuse, Kozyra started a nonprofit in education as a teenager, focusing on liberating teenagers to dare and create.
9. He believes being young has its advantages, such as naivety, stamina, and energy, which can lead to early wins and valuable experiences.
10. Kozyra aims to contribute to a civilization-scale impact, drawing parallels between human prosperity and kilowatt hour availability throughout history.
11. Fusion energy could unlock the next level of human prosperity, including the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies that require significant energy resources.
12. Titan is a high-power, high-energy density magnetizer generator developed in-house by Fuse, with over 80% of its subsystems and components built internally.
13. The company focuses on introspection, constantly debugging and upgrading their "operating system" as they grow.
14. Fuse has experienced close calls when running out of capital or encountering unexpected technology issues.
15. Kozyra emphasizes the importance of resilience and building a strong team with diverse skill sets and experiences.
16. Being humble, recognizing weaknesses, and building around them is crucial for success.
17. Fuse values people who are autonomous, curious, and focused on getting the job done.
18. Great entrepreneurs are good risk hedgers, constantly mitigating risks and making strategic decisions to de-risk their ventures.
19. Founders should prioritize risk mitigation, equip themselves with the right tools and people, and make informed decisions about which risks to address first.
20. Fuse's team cares deeply about their mission, working hard, staying up late, and going above and beyond to get the job done.
21. Despite common perceptions, successful entrepreneurs often prioritize risk management rather than taking unnecessary risks.
22. The company culture at Fuse encourages learning from each other, contributing to a healthy work environment.
23. Focusing on the mission and getting the job done is a core value for Fuse's team members.
24. By building a strong, cohesive team and making informed decisions about risk management, Fuse continues to push the boundaries of fusion energy technology.

Source: EO via YouTube

❓ What do you think? What does it mean to "retire risk" as a founder, and how can one effectively mitigate risks while still pursuing audacious goals? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!