David Kirtley
FounderFounder/CEO at Helion Energy
Everett, Washington, United States
FoundedHelion Energy · YC
About
David Kirtley is the founder and CEO of Helion Energy, a privately funded fusion electricity company. The company is working to develop a fusion power plant.
Founder/CEO at Helion EnergyYC S14
Intro paths
YC
David went through Y Combinator (Summer 2014) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Garry Tan, President & CEO of Y Combinator — the partner who ran Helion Energy's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, David can intro founders to Helion Energy's investors below.
Helion Energy's investors · 10
AntiSan Juan · $250K – $30M checks · since 2015Capricorn Investment GroupNew York · since 2015Congruent VenturesSan Francisco · $100K – $5M checks · since 2015Lightspeed Venture PartnersMenlo Park · $1.7M – $87M checks · since 2025Mithril Capital ManagementAustin · since 2015Sam Altmansince 2015SoftBank GroupTokyo · since 2015SoftBank Vision FundLondonThrive CapitalNew York · $500K – $25M checks · since 2015Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2014
Co-founders at Helion Energy
CP
Chris PihlCo-founder & CTO
JS
John SloughCo-Founder & Chief Scientist
AP
Anthony PancottiCo-founder
DD
Dr. David KirtleyCo-founder & CEO
DG
Dr. George VotroubekCo-Founder & Chief Scientist
DJ
Dr. John SloughCo-founder
Experience
- Helion EnergyFounder and CEOcurrent2010 — present
- YPOMembercurrent2023 — present
- MSNWPrinciple Investigator and Fusion Lead2011 — 2017Redmond, Washington, United States
- MSNWPropulsion Lead2008 — 2017Redmond, WA
- Air Force Research LaboratoryResearch Scientist2001 — 2008
- University of Michigan Plasmadynamics LaboratoryGraduate Student Researcher2003 — 2008
- NASA Glenn Research CenterLewis Graduate Fellowship2001
- Red River EngineeringElectrical Engineer1998 — 1999
Skills & more
Business Strategy10Plasma Physics18Management2DoD6Program Management8Numerical Analysis8Research4Public Speaking3Space Systems10Propulsion12Nuclear Engineering5Experimentation9
+7 more
Executive ManagementTeam LeadershipEntrepreneurshipStrategic PlanningTechnology DesignResearch and Development (R&D)FusionLanguages Russian · Spanish
From David's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is David Kirtley?
- David Kirtley is the founder and CEO of Helion Energy, a privately funded fusion electricity company. The company is working to develop a fusion power plant.
- Where does David Kirtley work?
- David Kirtley is Founder/CEO of Helion Energy.
- What companies did David Kirtley found?
- David Kirtley founded Helion Energy.
- Where did David Kirtley go to school?
- David Kirtley studied at University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School (PhD, Aerospace Engineering); University of Michigan (Master's degree, Nuclear Engineering); University of Michigan (Master's degree, Aerospace).
Same school
Also attended University of Michigan - Rackham Graduate School5
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Also attended University of Michigan506
Erik TorenbergGeneral Partner at Andreessen Horowitz; founder of TurpentineKarim FarisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Glen AndersonPartner at Monta Vista CapitalAlexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaHannah KrootMarketing Lead at Intel CapitalScott ShawChief of Staff at Intel Capital
+ 500 more
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesVictor SantosVictor Scout at One Way Ventures
+ 1,994 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Helion Energy4
Also worked at YPO193
Alex ChachavaInvestor at Leta CapitalRaoul Oscar FianoInvestor at DN CapitalJeff BergerVenture Partner at FJ LabsRouven DresselhausInvestor at Cavalry VenturesRobert CoppedgeChief Executive Officer at Echo Health VenturesDan MalvenVenture Partner at Alpha Partners
+ 187 more
Also worked at Air Force Research Laboratory12
Adam BryCo-founder & CEO of SkydioAlex GaoEngineer at Pear VCStacy SwiderVice President, Investments at MassVenturesAshwin LalendranInvestor at Moxxie VenturesAaron MitchellVenture Partner at Balerion Space VenturesZack PecenakInvestor at Empire State Development – New York Ventures
+ 6 more
Also worked at University of Michigan Plasmadynamics Laboratory115
Alexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaLogan HilleLife Sciences Analyst at CincyTechSara Risch, PhDAdvisor at CincyTechPeter GiordanoFormer Global Director GTM Strategy at Scale Venture PartnersPaul BrownManaging Director at eLab VenturesDoug NealManaging Director at eLab Ventures
+ 109 more