Join the Partnership Framework powered by next
A framework capable of delivering next and enabling the transition to commercialization of fusion
Enabling Europe’s transition from publicly funded research to private-sector fusion development
Across Europe, public institutions increasingly encourage large fusion initiatives to evolve from purely publicly funded research into public–private collaboration models. As fusion technologies advance toward higher technology readiness levels, their development must transition accordingly—from institutional research to industrial-led development and commercial implementation. A PPP serves as the enabling vehicle for this transition, and next is designed to operate precisely at this intersection.
KFT’s framework concept addresses the key aspects that encourage industrial participation:
Strategic alignment with long-term industrial objectives.
Companies can validate components, technologies, and operational processes under fusion-relevant conditions, strengthening their competitive position for future commercial fusion systems.
A realistic mid-term return perspective.
A manageable realization risk profile.
A transparent, scalable path for participation
The overall framework offers a transparent, scalable path for participation—supporting multiple investment rounds over time. As technological maturity increases and risk diminishes, the model may become attractive not only for strategic industrial actors but also for later-stage venture or private equity investors.
Through this approach, next becomes more than a fusion technology demonstrator. It becomes a structured, investable platform that unites public mission, institutional research, industrial innovation, and long-term value creation within a coordinated framework.
The organizational structure of KFT's partnership framework
A coordinated governance and investment architecture supporting long-term implementation
The PPP framework for next combines public mission, industrial capability, and private investment within a transparent and scalable structure. Its design enables a gradual transition from publicly funded research toward private-sector–driven development and commercialization, while maintaining scientific oversight and alignment with European strategic objectives. To enable the public–private partnership entity at its core, this framework is supported by a dedicated structure of three complementary entities, with independent scientific oversight provided through a Scientific Advisory Board:
A dedicated holding entity for private shareholder.
Private investment is pooled through a holding company that aggregates strategic industrial partners and financial investors. This structure provides a unified shareholder platform, simplifies governance, and supports multiple investment rounds over the lifetime of the project. It enables private investors to participate in both the PPP entity and the commercial subsidiaries in a coordinated and transparent manner.
Design & Integration
KFT Konzepte, as a dedicated entity, serves as the system integrator and engineering authority. It leads system design and integration, advises on procurement and construction, and evaluates delivered solutions to ensure functional and reliable system performance – all guided by a compliance function embodied in the same scientific advisory representing the institutional guidance.
Mid-term ROI
KFT Radioisotope is the commercially viable entity responsible for producing, marketing, and selling the radioisotopes generated by next. It forms the economic foundation of the framework by covering operational costs and generating profit for reinvestment and shareholders.
A public–private partnership entity for construction and operation
The PPP entity is the central vehicle responsible for realizing and operating the next facility. Public bodies contribute strategic direction, institutional commitment, and regulatory alignment, while private partners bring investment capital, technical expertise, and operational capability. Representatives from leading research institutes participate through a Scientific Advisory Board, ensuring scientific rigor, compliance, and alignment with the broader fusion research ecosystem.
Scientific Oversight
Institutes provide independent scientific guidance, safeguarding compliance, transparency, and alignment with public research goals.
A dedicated holding entity for private shareholder.
Private investment is pooled through a holding company that aggregates strategic industrial partners and financial investors. This structure provides a unified shareholder platform, simplifies governance, and supports multiple investment rounds over the lifetime of the project. It enables private investors to participate in both the PPP entity and the commercial subsidiaries in a coordinated and transparent manner.
Design & Integration
KFT Konzepte, as a dedicated entity, serves as the system integrator and engineering authority. It leads system design and integration, advises on procurement and construction, and evaluates delivered solutions to ensure functional and reliable system performance – all guided by a compliance function embodied in the same scientific advisory representing the institutional guidance.
Mid-term ROI
KFT Radioisotope is the commercially viable entity responsible for producing, marketing, and selling the radioisotopes generated by next. It forms the economic foundation of the framework by covering operational costs and generating profit for reinvestment and shareholders.
A public–private partnership entity for construction and operation
The PPP entity is the central vehicle responsible for realizing and operating the next facility. Public bodies contribute strategic direction, institutional commitment, and regulatory alignment, while private partners bring investment capital, technical expertise, and operational capability. Representatives from leading research institutes participate through a Scientific Advisory Board, ensuring scientific rigor, compliance, and alignment with the broader fusion research ecosystem.
Scientific Oversight
Institutes provide independent scientific guidance, safeguarding compliance, transparency, and alignment with public research goals.
Together, these components form a governance and investment architecture capable of supporting next across its full lifecycle—from construction and commissioning to operation and commercial exploitation. The structure allows public bodies, industry, and investors to contribute in complementary roles while enabling a gradual transition toward private financing as technological maturity increases and risk diminishes.
Benefits for Public Partners, Industry, and Investors
A value-creating framework anchored in strategic, technological, and commercial outcomes
KFT’s PPP framework generates value for all participating stakeholders by aligning public mission, industrial drive, and private-sector investment. Each group contributes distinct capabilities—and benefits from complementary outcomes made possible by the facility’s dual purpose as a fusion validation platform and a radioisotope production infrastructure.
Value for public bodies and fusion labs
Public bodies gain a powerful instrument to advance European objectives in fusion development, radioisotope supply security, and strategic technological sovereignty. Hosting next also enables regional economic growth, fosters high-skilled employment, and catalyzes the emergence of a new industrial ecosystem around fusion and isotopes. Research institutes benefit from direct involvement through the Scientific Advisory Board and through their contributions to technology development, test setups, and component evaluation. Their continuous participation ensures scientific rigor and long-term programmatic alignment, with the potential for defined roles to be anchored in the contractual framework.
Value for industry partners
Industry benefits across several domains:
Fusion and technology companies gain access to DT-relevant neutron conditions to validate components, materials, and operational processes—accelerating technology readiness level progression and strengthening competitiveness in the emerging fusion sector.
(Radio-)pharmaceutical companies secure reliable access to high-quality radioisotopes and can collaborate on new isotopic products or downstream processing innovations.
Energy utilities may leverage next as an opportunity to repurpose a decommissioned nuclear site, ensuring continuity of infrastructure use while gaining early exposure to fusion-related developments.
In addition, industrial partners that participate as investors through the holding are positioned to benefit not only from potential financial returns, but also from privileged access to development work packages, technology calls, and system deliveries commissioned by the PPP entity. Their investment secures a structured role within the project’s governance and positions them favorably for design, integration, technology development, and procurement activities carried out within the PPP architecture. Across all industrial domains, participation in the holding aligns commercial opportunity with strategic contribution, enabling proportional access to value creation and the coordinated advancement of technologies relevant to next.
Value for investors
In addition to strategic industrial partners, financial investors gain access to a structured deep-tech infrastructure opportunity with a credible mid-term value perspective. The commercialization of radioisotopes through KFT Radioisotope provides a revenue stream that contributes to operational cost coverage and generates profit for the holding and its shareholders. As technological maturity increases and risks diminish, the investment case naturally broadens, enabling future participation by later-stage venture and private equity investors.
By combining these complementary benefits, the framework establishes a coherent, investable model that delivers next while creating economic, technological, and societal value—and supports Europe’s transition toward commercial fusion technologies and resilient radioisotope supply.
Join KFT's PPP Framework
If you are interested in becoming involved in NEXT—either through an investment in the holding as a strategic industrial partner or financial investor, or by contributing to the project’s development in another capacity—we welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out.