Arrival, introductions and informal networking.

•  France’s position in global fusion and nuclear technology
• Grenoble as a European centre of science, engineering, and innovation
• Fusion as an industrial, infrastructure, and energy-security opportunity

For decades, Europe has pioneered public fusion R&D, with France hosting the flagship international project ITER and national project WEST led by CEA. Now, however, the global fusion landscape is evolving rapidly, with the US and China pioneering the transition to fusion commercialization– and Europe risks remaining behind. This session examines how Europe can capitalize on the experience in infrastructure, talent, and industrial capability developed through public projects to support the transition toward deployable commercial fusion systems.

• What is Europe’s competitive position in the global race for commercial fusion?
• What industrial capability is already created through the ITER supply chain?
• How can Europe move from science to commercial deployment?
• What gaps still exist between experimental fusion and bankable projects?
• What role can France play in Europe’s fusion industrial base?

Europe possesses major scientific capability but has historically lagged the US in private fusion capital formation. This session examines how France and Europe can finance the transition from laboratory systems to commercial deployment.

• What types of capital are required for pilot plants and FOAK systems? 
• How important are public-private partnerships and strategic state support?
• Can Europe finance long-duration deep-tech infrastructure effectively?
• Which milestones matter most in attracting private capital?
• How can Europe retain and scale its fusion companies domestically?

Connect with fellow attendees and network over coffee.

Fusion commercialisation will require far more than plasma physics. Magnets, materials, robotics, cryogenics, power electronics, digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, and supply-chain capability will all be critical strategic industries.

• Which industrial capabilities can Europe realistically develop and lead globally?
• How important are existing nuclear and aerospace supply chains?
• How can Europe scale fusion manufacturing competitively against the US and Asia?
• How should public and private sectors coordinate industrial development? What kind of partnerships should be supported?
• What role can Grenoble play within the European fusion ecosystem?

As AI accelerates electricity demand, energy availability, grid capacity, cooling, and industrial resilience are becoming strategic bottlenecks. Fusion is emerging not only as a future power source, but as a critical infrastructure layer for the AI era - driving advances in superconductors, advanced magnets, cryogenics, and high- density energy systems.

• Is energy becoming the main bottleneck to scaling AI?
• Which fusion-enabling technologies could commercialize before fusion power itself?
• How could superconductors and advanced energy systems reshape AI infrastructure and data centers?
• Where do fusion, AI, defence, and industrial sovereignty intersect?
• How should Europe position itself in the global race for AI and fusion infrastructure?

An informal networking lunch connecting participants & panelists

A presentation by Raymond Monk, Advisor to the Director - Fusion for Energy 

Connect with fellow attendees and network over coffee.