This week, we return to another episode from 2021, when we spoke with Will Marshall, Co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs (NYSE:PL). Planet provides data services drawn from its fleet of about 200 satellites that generate a complete image of the earth’s surface every day.
It just celebrated its first quarter of EBITDA profitability, but at the time, it was still working to close its combination with dMY Technology Group IV. Niccolo de Masi, who at the time steered dMY IV, also joined to explain the investment case for Planet and the private space industry more broadly.
Many of those space ventures that combined with SPACs are now booming despite equity market headwinds. But, what did the pathway to the stars look like four years ago, and what challenges remain?
Give it a listen.


Vendome Acquisition Corporation I (NASDAQ:VNMEU) announced the pricing of its $200 million IPO and its units are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “VNMEU”, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The new SPAC plans to focus its search on target business in the consumer sector operating in North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe....
Origin Investment Corp. I (NASDAQ:ORIQU) announced the pricing of its $60 million IPO and its units are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “ORIQU”, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The new SPAC aims to mount a broad search for a target with a strong management and both revenue and earnings growth potential....
1RT Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:ONCHU) announced the pricing of its $150 million IPO and its units are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq under the symbol “ONCHU”, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The new SPAC plans to target company in the digital asset ecosystem involved in the creation, storage, exchange or management of such assets, whether...
D. Boral ARC Acquisition II Corp. (NASDAQ:ARBCU) has filed for a $250 million SPAC to give underwriter D. Boral a second in-house SPAC to pursue deals with. The new SPAC offers investors a 1/2 warrant and an initial 18-month time frame to complete a deal. D. Boral II’s sponsor may automatically extend this once by...
Ribbon (NASDAQ:RIBB) has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Japanese biotech firm DRC Medicine at a pro forma equity value of $422 million. Tokyo-based DRC Medicine manufactures reusable anti-bacterial and anti-allergen wearables and aims to go deeper into the medical device and pharmaceutical space. Transaction Overview Ribbon is expected to provide $50.4 million...