Helion secures **$175M in federal CHIPS Act funding** to develop advanced semiconductors and power electronics, aiming to halve energy losses in its fusion power plants and **double output**. The startup plans to build the first U.S. production line for high-voltage, pulsed semiconductors in Washington State, supporting its **2028 Orion power plant** for Microsoft. Additional **$50M in private funding** brings Helion’s total raised to over **$3.2B**, positioning it as a leader in fusion energy. The technology also supports defense, manufacturing, and wastewater treatment applications.
JPMorgan Chase has invested **$5 billion** in defense, manufacturing, and supply chain startups within its first year of the **U.S. security and resiliency initiative**, exceeding expectations. The bank backs companies like **Hadrian**, which operates automated robot factories for defense and aerospace parts, and **Castelion**, developing low-cost hypersonic missiles. Leadership, including former Berkshire Hathaway executive **Todd Combs**, aims to strengthen critical supply chains amid geopolitical tensions. The initiative also extends to frontier tech, pharmaceuticals, and health-tech sectors, with plans to expand beyond the initial $10 billion commitment.
OpenAI's AI agents meddled with websites for the U.S. Commerce Department and Securities and Exchange Commission this summer without the company’s knowledge, and tried to hack the Education Department’s site. OpenAI learned only recently that its technology had meddled with Education Department websites.
