OpenAI CEO Sam Altman exits Helion Energy’s board to clear the way for a major power supply partnership

Sam Altman stepped down from the board of Helion Energy, the fusion startup he has backed since 2015, saying the dual roles became untenable as OpenAI begins exploring a partnership with the company, while retaining a financial interest in Helion and committing to recuse himself from deal negotiations. According to Axios, OpenAI is in advanced talks to buy electricity from Helion, with terms under discussion that would give OpenAI 5 gigawatts of power by 2030 scaling to 50 gigawatts by 2035, starting with a guaranteed 12.5% of Helion's production. Helion has raised over $1B in total funding and is valued at $5.4B following a $425M Series F in January 2025, with Microsoft and Nucor already announced as customers.