Zap Energy Appoints Zabrina Johal as CEO, Expands to Dual Fission-Fusion Strategy

Seattle-based Zap Energy named Zabrina Johal as its new CEO and announced a significant strategic expansion: alongside its core sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion research, the company will pursue an integrated nuclear strategy incorporating deployment of 50 MW small modular reactors (SMRs) based on the 4S (Super-Safe, Small, and Simple) fission design. Zap expects to begin generating revenue from the fission business within approximately one year, providing a commercial bridge while fusion technology matures. The pivot reflects wider pressures in private fusion financing — the rolling 12-month private investment rate has softened to ~$1.6B (April 2026) from its $2.64B mid-2025 peak — and mirrors moves by other fusion companies to diversify toward near-term revenues. Zap, a University of Washington spinoff, has raised $160M+. Its Z-pinch approach, which uses no magnets and relies on sheared-flow stabilization to confine plasma, remains the company's long-term commercial target.