Case study
Stoking global excitement around fusion energy while helping to shape supporting investment and policy
Research referenced over 25 times in the Financial Times
110% FIA membership growth
Research used as evidence in multiple national fusion strategies
Objective
The FIA represents, and lobbies for, the world’s private fusion companies.
It wanted to build evidence to showcase the emerging fusion industry’s potential to governments, investors, and the public, in order to shape future policy and investment decisions in the long-term interests of fusion.
Approach
In 2020, Memetic designed a research survey of the world's private fusion companies, to understand their funding status, progress, and challenges. We analysed response data – alongside interviews with individual experts – and created a report that delivers deep insights into fusion funding, technology advances, and commercial timescales.
As part of a coordinated influence campaign, this was launched to business, finance, and engineering media, atomised for social media, and formed a key part of direct public affair activity.
We have repeated the report and associated communications campaign since, adapting questions to reflect the evolution of the industry – ensuring the FIA has unique data on the industries latest challenges and expectations.
In 2023, we added a yearly supply chain report, aimed at generating the data and credibility to support the growth of the fusion supply chain.
Results
The report quickly became a focal point for the global fusion industry, generating sustained international media attention each year. Coverage appeared in leading publications including the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times, Time, and the New York Times, alongside extensive reporting across nuclear, engineering and science trade media.
Insights from the report also created a steady stream of expert commentary throughout the year. FIA by-lines and data-driven perspectives were regularly secured in influential media outlets, ensuring the organisation remained visible in ongoing discussions about the future of fusion energy.
The report’s data visualisations were widely repurposed for social and digital campaigns, helping to build continuous awareness and engagement around the industry’s progress. Over time, the research became a trusted reference point, cited in global policy discussions including the UK fusion energy strategy, White House announcements on fusion development, and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Fusion Outlook report.
Beyond media impact, the programme strengthened FIA’s position as the central voice for the fusion sector. Membership increased by more than 110%, with many new enquiries referencing the report as a key reason for engaging with the organisation. The publication is now widely anticipated across the industry and acts as a central reference for journalists, policymakers and fusion stakeholders throughout the year.
“These reports have stoked global excitement about fusion in recent years, and they secure repeated coverage for us in global media, from the FT and Economist to key industry trades. They have given us a unique and evidenced position that is helping us shape global funding and policy decisions for this emerging energy technology”
— Andrew Holland, CEO, Fusion Industry Association 
Why it matters
Fusion has the potential to become a transformative clean energy source, but its progress depends heavily on long-term government policy, investor confidence and coordinated industry development. In such an emerging sector, credible data about progress, funding and timelines is scarce, making it difficult for decision-makers to assess the industry’s real potential.
By creating a consistent, evidence-backed view of the private fusion sector, the annual reports has helped fill that gap. It gives policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders a clearer understanding of where the technology stands today and what is needed to accelerate its development.
As a result, the Fusion Industry Association is now recognised as a central source of insight on the sector. The reports have helped shape global conversations around fusion investment and policy, while strengthening the industry’s collective voice at a critical moment in its development.
