Inertia co-founder Jeff Lawson bets on fusion

The transition from software to fusion energy is a significant change in direction for Jeff Lawson, and his experience in building successful technology businesses can provide valuable insights for founders and investors in the energy sector. The discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 can offer a unique perspective on scaling companies in unfamiliar territories.

Inertia's ambitious plans to turn laboratory science into grid-scale energy require significant funding, and the $450 million Series A funding is a crucial step towards achieving this goal. The company's recruitment of leaders from businesses, including Apple, Corning, and Waymo, can help build its manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities.

The conversation between Jeff Lawson and the audience at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 can explore the challenges of building a team with expertise extending far beyond the founder's own, setting credible milestones, and keeping an ambitious mission moving forward. This discussion can provide useful insights for founders, investors, and operators in the energy sector and beyond.

The event can also examine the relationship between technical progress, capital, and commercial potential, which is crucial for companies like Inertia that require significant funding to achieve their goals. The discussion can offer a different perspective on what it means to scale a company, especially in a sector that requires scientific expertise and business execution to advance together.

Overall, the discussion at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 can provide a unique opportunity for founders, investors, and operators to learn from Jeff Lawson's experience and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a company in the energy sector.