Fusion startups Helion, CFS give US government shares for $260M awards

Fusion startups Helion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems received awards totalling $260 million from the US Department of Commerce under the CHIPS and Science Act to develop advanced semiconductors that help power and control their reactors. Helion got $175 million and CFS $85 million. In return, both companies agreed to give the government nonvoting shares, raising questions about whether such deals are worth it.