From failing physics grades to building New Zealand’s groundbreaking fusion reactor startup—meet the entrepreneur rewriting the rules of energy.
Join us in this captivating conversation with Ratu Mataira, founder and CEO of OpenStar, a revolutionary New Zealand startup pioneering fusion technology. Ratu shares his journey from struggling undergraduate physics student to becoming an industry leader determined to solve one of humanity’s most significant challenges: clean, limitless energy through fusion reactors. Discover how OpenStar has rapidly achieved milestones that took others decades, using innovative superconducting magnet technology inspired by Ratu’s deep physics background.
This episode dives deep into Ratu’s compelling backstory—his inspiration from his grandmother's historic efforts in revitalizing the Māori language, his entrepreneurial adventures, and the thrilling science behind levitated dipole fusion reactors. Ratu reveals bold truths about startup innovation, the future of global energy, and why New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead in groundbreaking technology.
Key Topics:
⚛️ Revolutionizing Fusion Technology
📚 Struggling Student to Tech Pioneer🧲 Breakthrough Superconducting Magnets
🚧 Overcoming Engineering Challenges
🌏 Clean Energy & Climate Solutions
🔬 Levitated Dipole Fusion Reactors Explained
💡 Startup Lessons & Rapid Iteration🇳🇿 New Zealand’s Tech Advantage
📈 Scaling Deep Tech Startups
🌠 Fusion: The Future of Global Energy
🤝 Connect with Ratu Mataira:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ratu-mataira-24648ab2/
OpenStar: https://www.linkedin.com/company/openstar-technologies/
🔗 Learn more about NZVC:
Website: https://www.nzvc.co.nz
Mark Pavlyukovskyy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlyukovskyy/
Hendrik Remigereau - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-remigereau-09a03067/
⏰ 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🙌
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