Hi TechMates Community,
Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau here, excited to bring you another fascinating episode powered by NZVC, the venture firm backing the next generation of iconic companies from New Zealand and beyond.
This week, we're diving deep into the world of fusion energy with the remarkable Ratu Mataira, founder of OpenStar, who’s determined to revolutionize energy production. Inspired profoundly by his grandmother, Dame Kāterina Te Kōkō Mataira—known for her instrumental role in saving Te Reo Māori from extinction—Ratu blends ambitious innovation with unwavering determination. His vision? Bringing fusion energy to life, starting from the humble yet innovative landscape of New Zealand.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 Why tackling impossible problems requires incremental persistence – Ratu’s top startup insight.
💡 How simplicity and storytelling are crucial for pitching deep tech – valuable communication advice.
🔥 How fusion energy could radically transform global energy markets – the headline topic.
🌍 From Te Reo Māori revival to fusion innovation – profound insights from Ratu’s unique family legacy.
🚀 His impressive journey: building New Zealand’s pioneering fusion startup – Ratu’s remarkable career path.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Ratu’s Background
01:26 - Journey from PhD in Superconductivity
03:50 - Inspiration from Grandma’s Māori Revival
09:57 - How Ratu’s Grandmother Saved Te Reo Māori
19:22 - Early Interest in Physics and Science
24:02 - Entrepreneurial Adventures & Early Startups
29:36 - The Path to a PhD in Superconductivity
37:20 - Fusion Technology & the Levitated Dipole Reactor
45:55 - Milestone: Achieving First Plasma at OpenStar
54:40 - Why Levitated Dipole Fusion is Unique
59:30 - Rapid Development & Startup Iteration
1:02:13 - Timeline for Fusion Commercialization
1:05:28 - Fusion’s Vision: Energy Abundance
1:11:15 - AI, Fusion & The Future of Abundance
1:18:25 - Funding & Fusion’s Billion-Dollar Pathway
1:22:08 - Why Build Deep Tech Startups in NZ
Unlocking Fusion Energy: How Ratu Mataira is Redefining the Impossible
Inspired by Legacy
Ratu’s journey into fusion is deeply rooted in his family legacy. Reflecting on his grandmother’s influential role in reviving Te Reo Māori, he shares a defining insight:
"Nothing is actually impossible. Success boils down to building belief in a movement committed to action."
Growing up with such profound examples of leadership and determination, Ratu internalized a mindset of fearless innovation.
Fusion’s Breakthrough Moment
OpenStar’s levitated dipole reactor approach flips conventional fusion concepts upside down—literally placing a superconducting magnet inside plasma. Despite skepticism from the scientific community, Ratu’s approach is deeply inspired by nature.
"The plasma configuration we use already exists naturally—it's Earth's magnetosphere, a stable plasma configuration that’s been there for four billion years,"
he explains. Leveraging this natural stability, OpenStar is rapidly advancing toward commercial viability.
Rapid Iteration for Success
Speed and iteration have been central to OpenStar’s impressive progress. Ratu emphasizes,
"When no one has built your solution before, iteration is king. Doing teaches you the next step."
This philosophy allowed OpenStar to achieve its first plasma milestone in just two years—far quicker than traditional fusion projects. Highlighting this agility, Ratu notes,
"We delivered our first plasma milestone for just $10 million, becoming one of the fastest fusion startups globally."
The Promise of Energy Abundance
Ultimately, OpenStar seeks a world where fusion energy becomes so affordable it reshapes human civilization. Ratu envisions,
"True energy abundance could fundamentally change how we live, making energy so cheap you wouldn't even need to meter it."
Ratu’s fusion journey shows how extraordinary challenges are opportunities in disguise—if tackled with clarity, persistence, and fearless ambition.
For more in-depth insights from Ratu Mataira, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
Thanks for your support—we’re excited to have you with us!
We’d love for you to follow and tag us on social media:
Youtube · Spotify · Apple Podcast
Instagram · LinkedIn · Twitter · TikTok
Happy listening,
The TechMates Team
Share this post