Starlink
Facts
- HQ
- March 2026
- Sectors
- Satellite communications, Broadband, Space
SpaceX rehearses catching Ship 42 on new Pad 2 tower with Mechazilla chopsticks on Sept. 11–12
SpaceX conducted its first dedicated catch-position rehearsal on Starbase’s new Pad 2 tower on September 11–12, lifting Ship 42 into full catch posture using Mechazilla chopstick arms (no stabilizers) and cycling the Ship Quick Disconnect. The test prepares Pad 2 to support Flight 15 and aims to reduce reliance on a single tower for catching and reusing Starship upper stages.
Elon Musk's Starlink swagger, SpaceX vs. the cloud giants, and Seattle’s tech universe revisited
This week: SpaceX reports its first quarter as a public company, and Elon Musk says Starlink could deliver a majority of the world's internet within a decade, leveraging production facilities in Redmond. Musk also explains the company's data center ambitions, calling terrestrial infrastructure a trivial problem next to reusable rockets. Plus: we bring two Washington tech universe posters into the studio, 17 years apart. The 2009 original turns up gems including Boeing's unlikely connection to Classmates.com, a 1990s forerunner to Facebook. The 2009 poster also brings back memories of Teledesic, the Craig McCaw venture backed by Bill Gates that tried…
Ascend series: Seattle’s ‘Third Act’ — physical AI startups on Lake Union signal a shift toward software-enabled hardware
The piece reports from Lake Union to argue Seattle is entering a third industrial era—'physical AI'—where hardware-enabled intelligent machines mix with legacy maritime and aerospace industries, exemplified by startups like Overland, Anduril, Brinc, and Endurance Energy. The authors say Seattle has the talent, infrastructure, and institutions to lead but needs more risk-taking, investor capital for hardware, and pro-innovation policy to fully capitalize on this shift.
EonArk Raises $14M in Back-to-Back Seed and Seed+ Rounds to Accelerate AI-Powered Longevity Virtual Cell Platform
AI biotech startup EonArk raised about $14 million (nearly 100 million yuan) in back-to-back seed and seed+ rounds within one month to accelerate development of its AI-native longevity virtual cell platform, with investors including Monolith, Boyu Capital, Nine Chapters Capital and Starlink Capital.
BRINC Raises $125 Million Led by Motorola to Put Autonomous 911 Drones on U.S. Police and Fire Station Roofs
BRINC raised $125 million in a round led by Motorola Solutions to deploy autonomous 911 response drones on U.S. police and fire station roofs and expand U.S. manufacturing. The Seattle startup, founded in 2019 by Blake Resnick, plans to scale production, grow staff, integrate drones with 911 dispatch and move into a larger 60,000-sq-ft facility.
Motorola Solutions Leads $125M Round in BRINC as Startup Aims to Put 911 Drones on 80,000 U.S. Police and Fire Stations
Seattle startup BRINC raised $125 million in a round led by Motorola Solutions with participation from Index Ventures and Figma CEO Dylan Field, taking total funding above $280 million. The company plans to deploy 911 response drones to the roughly 80,000 U.S. police and fire stations, citing rapid revenue, production, and contract growth amid shifting U.S. rules favoring domestic drones.
BRINC Raises $125M Led by Motorola Solutions to Deploy 911 Response Drones Nationwide
Seattle-based public safety drone company BRINC raised $125 million led by Motorola Solutions to scale manufacturing and deploy 911 response drones nationwide. The funding will support expanding their Seattle factory, increasing production, and rolling out a 24/7 drone network for emergency services.
K2 Space Opens Seattle Engineering Office to Support Production of Mega-Class Satellites with $1 Billion in Contracts
K2 Space, a California-based company specializing in large, high-power satellites for government and commercial clients, is opening an engineering office in the Seattle area to support its growth. The company has raised over $500 million, secured $1 billion in contracts, and plans to produce hundreds of satellites annually by 2030.
Tractor Supply, 4-H, and Starlink Partner to Expand Broadband Access for Rural Youth
Tractor Supply Company and 4-H have partnered with Starlink to improve broadband access and educational opportunities for rural youth through 4-H clubs. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in rural communities.
SpaceX Shares Fall 16%, Wiping $152 Billion From Elon Musk’s Fortune Amid Starship Grounding and $20 Billion Bond Sale
SpaceX shares dropped 16% on June 23, erasing $152 billion from Elon Musk's net worth following a grounded Starship fleet and a $20 billion bond sale, after a recent record rally post-IPO. The stock's decline marked a sharp reversal just 11 days after SpaceX's public debut.
FBI's Kash Patel Leads High-Impact Global Crypto Fraud Crackdowns Resulting in 339 Arrests and Millions in Seized Cryptocurrency
The FBI under Kash Patel has intensified crypto fraud enforcement, conducting high-profile international operations that led to hundreds of arrests and millions in cryptocurrency seizures. Crypto businesses must now actively address these enforcement actions as law enforcement treats crypto fraud as organized crime.
Tarana Wireless and DigitalC Partner with Cleveland to Connect Over 10,000 Homes Using Performance-Based Broadband Model
A performance-based contract leveraging Tarana Wireless's fixed wireless technology and the nonprofit DigitalC enabled the connection of over 10,000 Cleveland households. This public-private partnership overcame challenges of underserved areas and tree-covered terrain, accelerating broadband access in the city.
India's Jio Platforms Plans Sovereign LEO Satellite Constellation Using Leased Broadband Capacity Ahead of IPO
Jio Platforms plans to develop its own sovereign low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation in India by leasing broadband capacity from existing satellite networks, ahead of its IPO. This move aims to enhance broadband access in the country and position Jio as a leader in satellite connectivity.
SpaceX Valued at $2.5 Trillion Post-IPO, Nearly Matching Combined Worth of 41 Aerospace Peers
SpaceX has reached a market valuation of approximately $2.5 trillion shortly after going public, making Elon Musk wealthier than the next four richest billionaires combined. Despite its high valuation, SpaceX's revenue performance tells a different story.
SpaceX Raises $75 Billion IPO, Surpasses TSMC, Reaches $2.52 Trillion Valuation to Become 7th Most Valuable Public Company
SpaceX raised $75 billion in its IPO with a valuation of $1.8 trillion, quickly rising to become the world's seventh most valuable publicly traded company after surpassing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The company's market value surged to $2.52 trillion following strong investor demand shortly after its debut.
Starlink and U.S. State Department Sign Two-Year MOU to Restore Communications in Disaster Zones Globally
Elon Musk's Starlink and the U.S. State Department signed a two-year memorandum to use Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellites for restoring communications after global natural disasters, enhancing humanitarian response efforts. This partnership builds on Starlink's Crisis Response initiative, which has supported relief operations in multiple countries and within the U.S.
SpaceX Raises $75 Billion in Record-Setting June 12 IPO, Shares Close 19.2% Higher at $160.95
SpaceX conducted the largest IPO in history on June 12, selling 555.6 million shares at $135 each and raising $75 billion. Shares closed at $160.95, up 19.2%, valuing the company at approximately $2.1 trillion.
SpaceX's $75 Billion IPO Expected to Boost Seattle's Space Industry and Elevate Company Valuation to $1.77 Trillion
SpaceX's upcoming $75 billion IPO on Nasdaq is projected to boost its valuation to $1.77 trillion and benefit Seattle's space sector by providing capital for satellite and Starship expansion, potentially lowering launch costs and aiding local startups. The Seattle area's connection to SpaceX dates back to 2015, and regional startups like Starcloud and Portal Space Systems stand to gain from this growth.
SAP Acquires Data Platform Startup Dremio; Vertiv Buys Strategic Thermal Labs in May Austin Tech M&A Deals
In May's Austin tech M&A activity, SAP announced the acquisition of data platform startup Dremio, and Vertiv acquired Strategic Thermal Labs. Additionally, Gyde expanded by acquiring We Know Medicare, highlighting continued consolidation in the local technology and industrial sectors.
Pentagon and SpaceX Disagree Over Starlink Pricing for Military Drones and Iranian Communications
The Pentagon and SpaceX are in a dispute over Starlink service pricing, particularly regarding military use on LUCAS drones and plans to provide Iranian citizens with direct-to-cell connections. The Pentagon has agreed to a higher rate for drone services, highlighting increased military dependence on Starlink amid geopolitical tensions.
SpaceX IPO filing reveals Starlink's impact, Bezos sounds off on CNBC, and Gemini owes John a beer
This week on a supersized Memorial Day Weekend edition of the GeekWire Podcast: A massive IPO filing from SpaceX includes new details about Elon Musk's Starlink business and its satellite factory in Redmond. Jeff Bezos talks about wealth, inequality and eventually tech in an hour-long CNBC appearance. John goes to World Cup ticketing hell and turns to ChatGPT and Gemini when FIFA's support falls short. And a special Sam Altman/Seattle startup edition of GeekWire Trivia. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Related Links: SpaceX is churning out 70 Starlink satellites a week in Redmond, and other tidbits from…
PlantSwitch Raises $17 Million to Supply Plant-Based Cups and Cutlery for 2026 World Cup Clients Including SoFi Stadium and Starlink
PlantSwitch raised $17 million to replace plastic cups and cutlery with plant-based alternatives, securing business clients including SoFi Stadium and Elon Musk’s Starlink for the 2026 World Cup.
Armada Grows Seattle-Area Team to 120 as Its Portable AI Data Centers Gain Adoption by Washington State and U.S. Navy
Armada, a San Francisco-based startup, has expanded its Bellevue, Washington engineering team to 120 employees to meet rising demand for its rugged AI data centers that operate in remote areas. Its technology supports critical clients like the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for wildfire connectivity and the U.S. Navy, backed by over $200 million in funding including from Microsoft.
Portal Space Systems' Mini-Nova Demonstration Payload Launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 for Maneuverable Spacecraft Tests
Portal Space Systems launched its first orbital payload, Mini-Nova, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 during the Transporter-16 rideshare mission to test technologies for maneuverable space vehicles. The payload will remain attached to Momentus’ Vigoride-7 for six months to validate critical systems for future spacecraft focused on rapid orbital maneuvering and space servicing.
Starcloud raises $170M Series A at $1.1B valuation to fund two satellites for orbital data centres
Starcloud raised $170 million in a Series A led by Benchmark and EQT Ventures at a $1.1 billion valuation to fund its next two satellites and advance orbital data-centre development, bringing total funding to $200 million. The Redmond startup already operates an Nvidia H100 GPU in orbit, trained the first AI model in space, and is building Starship-class spacecraft to make orbital data centres cost-competitive with terrestrial facilities.
