Fundraising Fox

Galen Burke

Founder

Founder at Zephyr Fusion

San Diego Metropolitan Area

FoundedZephyr Fusion · YC

About

Galen Burke is a co-founder of Zephyr Fusion, an in-orbit fusion power company. He has over 15 years of experience in diagnostics and plasma physics, previously working as a scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.

Founder at Zephyr FusionYC F25

Intro paths

YC

Galen went through Y Combinator (Fall 2025) — 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 Zephyr Fusion's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗

→

In turn, Galen can intro founders to Zephyr Fusion's investors below.

Zephyr Fusion's investors · 3

Sterling RoadSan Francisco · $50K – $150K checksY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2025ZAKA VCSan Francisco

Co-founders at Zephyr Fusion

EHEdward Hinson
Edward HinsonFounder

Experience

  1. Zephyr FusionCo-Foundercurrent2025 — present
  2. Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryResearch Scientist2021 — 2025
  3. University of Wisconsin-MadisonResearch Scientist2019 — 2021
  4. University of Wisconsin-MadisonPostdoctoral Researcher2016 — 2019
  5. University of Wisconsin-MadisonUndergraduate Hourly2008 — 2011

Skills & more

Analysis1Public Speaking1Analytical Skills1Leadership1PlasmasOptical DevicesOptical DesignSensorsOptical ComponentsFourier OpticsTechnical ReviewsSystems Engineering
+12 moreElectro-opticalSystems DesignStatistical AnalysisComputer SimulationsAlgorithm DevelopmentAlgorithm DesignSciPyScikit-LearnNumPyResearch and Development (R&D)ProgrammingData Analysis

From Galen's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Galen Burke?
Galen Burke is a co-founder of Zephyr Fusion, an in-orbit fusion power company. He has over 15 years of experience in diagnostics and plasma physics, previously working as a scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics.
Where does Galen Burke work?
Galen Burke is Founder of Zephyr Fusion.
What companies did Galen Burke found?
Galen Burke founded Zephyr Fusion.
Where did Galen Burke go to school?
Galen Burke studied at Y Combinator (F25 | Partner: Garry Tan); University of Wisconsin-Madison (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics); University of Wisconsin-Madison (Master of Science (MS), Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics).

Founder mafias

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University of Wisconsin-Madison mafia59

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Same school

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Shared employers

Also worked at Zephyr Fusion2

Aabhas KhannaGeneral Partner at MyAsiaVCEdward HinsonFounder at Zephyr Fusion

Also worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory19

Martin CasadoGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzAndrew WilliamsonManaging Partner at Cambridge Innovation CapitalRick LewisGeneral Partner at US Venture PartnersAlexander FangManaging Partner at Entrada VenturesKaren Roter DavisManaging Partner at Entrada VenturesAaron SistoPartner at First Spark Ventures, Llc

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