In a coastal warehouse in Wellington, New Zealand, OpenStar Technologies is making significant strides in the field of nuclear fusion with an innovative approach that mirrors the energy processes of stars. Their 'inside-out' reactor concept, centered around a levitating magnet, aims to achieve fusion by merging hydrogen atoms to generate large amounts of clean energy. This breakthrough in clean energy is crucial as fusion, unlike the current fission methods, produces no harmful emissions or long-term waste, utilizing the abundant element of hydrogen. OpenStar's recent success in creating superheated plasma at extreme temperatures is a testament to their agile and cost-effective approach, costing approximately $10 million over two years. The startup's reactor design, inspired by planetary magnetic fields, offers a streamlined and less complex engineering process compared to traditional tokamak reactors. By placing a single levitating magnet within the plasma, OpenStar aims to address scalability challenges that have hindered previous attempts using this concept. With plans to construct two more prototypes, OpenStar is focused on refining the design for scalability and practicality. This innovative approach to fusion has attracted private capital, with OpenStar raising $12 million to date. However, competitors like Commonwealth Fusion Systems have secured significantly higher investments, highlighting the growing interest in fusion technologies. While progress is accelerating, experts caution that commercialization timelines may still be a few years away, with challenges in scientific and regulatory aspects to overcome. Despite the hurdles, OpenStar's CEO, Ratu Mataira, remains optimistic about the potential impact of fusion technology in combating climate change, emphasizing the role of agile startups in driving progress towards sustainable energy solutions.