http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/12/bill-gates-ted-speech-201_n_461034.html
Unfortunately I cant find the video on ted yet, probably not online.
Seems like the ground is ready to grow some FF growth, just need someone to bury a few seeds.
Edit:Title

Cool!  We looked into Gates Foundation before, but there was no opening to apply.  They are exclusively health and education oriented.  Their site is still not set up to reflect energy, but I just sent an email to their info line to see if there is someone I can talk to. 

Does anyone know anyone who works at the Gates Foundation?  These things are ALWAYS much better if there is a personal contact.  We must leverage our 2 degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Another place for the seeds:
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/st_thiel/

The most important part I think is to look legit, so timing could be matched to after some breakthrough/verification was completed. It might be a good idea to prepare well in advance. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone with more money than he can spend…

Here is Bill Gates video
http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates.html

Seems Bill Gates is talking about the fast fusion reactor, probably meaning the MSR concept.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molten_salt_reactor
There are many issues unresolved with MSR, and the cost of running it is estimated higher that current BWR’s.
Maybe he would be interested in using FF for a hybrid fusion-fission reactor, might be dangerous to push the the topic of fusion itself with him.

Breakable - 19 February 2010 08:33 AM

Here is Bill Gates video
http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates.html

He specifically ruled out fusion, unless it does better than he expects. (~9:00 into presentation). Nothing succeeds like success, iow, and fission has it, along with an established industry.