From Survival Mode to a $1 Billion Valuation: General Fusion SPAC Merger 2026

The tables have turned for one of the most resilient players in the energy sector. Just a year ago, General Fusion was slashing 25% of its workforce while pleading for a lifeline. Today, it announced a definitive plan to go public through a reverse merger with Spring Valley III, valuing the combined entity at approximately $1 billion.

General Fusion SPAC Merger 2026: A $335 Million War Chest

According to TechCrunch, the transaction is expected to provide up to $335 million in gross proceeds. This is a massive leap from the $22 million emergency investment it secured in 2025. The company plans to use this capital to complete its LM26 demonstration reactor, which is the cornerstone of its commercial roadmap.

The choice of Spring Valley as a partner carries both experience and baggage. The firm previously took NuScale Power public, but the SMR pioneer has seen its stock price drop more than 50% since its peak. Investors are closely watching if General Fusion can avoid a similar post-merger slump.

LM26: Challenging the Laser-Heavy Status Quo

Unlike the laser-bombardment approach used by the National Ignition Facility, General Fusion utilizes steam-driven pistons to compress fuel pellets via a liquid lithium wall. By skipping expensive superconductors and lasers, the company hopes to deliver fusion power at a competitive price point. The goal for 2026 is to reach scientific breakeven—a critical milestone for the industry.

The sudden investor appetite is largely fueled by the AI boom. BloombergNEF estimates that data center energy consumption will surge by 300% by 2035. In its merger announcement, General Fusion explicitly cited rising data center demand as a primary driver for its accelerated commercialization strategy.