The Saturday Morning Newsletter #100
100th Edition, Trump’s Plan for Science, and Fin-Based Renewable Tidal Energy
This Week I’m Tracking: 11 developments across the sectors shaping our future
Reading Time: 5 minutes of curated insights
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Let’s dive in.
#1: Thea Energy
Description: Thea Energy is a stellarator fusion system developer.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Thea Energy recently raised $100M in venture capital funding. Thea is developing the most economical and scalable fusion energy system using mass-manufacturable magnets and powerful software controls. Complex magnet structures currently used in other fusion designs are prohibitive of success in the field on a wide commercial scale. Thea is aiming for this goal, innovating to create a design that uses mass-produced magnets at a lower overall cost.
#2: Caudal Energy
Description: Caudal Energy is a producer of fin-based tidal energy systems.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Caudal Energy recently raised $5.8M in venture capital funding. As grids decarbonize and demand for renewable energy grows, the world continues to seek innovative solutions. Caudal is providing this solution, developing a fin that harnesses energy from tidal flows. This method captures a constant, highly renewable energy source that is cost-efficient.
#3: Observable Space
Description: Observable Space is a producer of laser communications ground systems.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Observable Space recently raised $90M in venture capital funding. In the 21st century, space-based communications have become a key business asset and an even more crucial component of national security equipment. Observable Space is developing advanced laser communications systems. This money will help them accelerate their partnerships, scale in-space systems, and expand internationally.
#4: Scout Space
Description: Scout Space is a developer of space domain awareness sensors and software.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Scout Space recently raised $18M in venture capital funding. Scout Space provides satellite sensors, mission autonomy software, edge processing, and mission design products for space commercialization providers. Their mission is to enable their customers to perform complex missions and avoid threats by using on-board sensing, processing, and autonomous decision-making.
#5: Moment Energy
Description: Moment Energy is an EV battery repurposing startup.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Moment Energy recently raised $40M in venture capital funding. As the AI revolution and rapid increase in electrification push grids to the breaking point, power is now the primary constraint on human progress. Moment Energy is doing what other battery manufacturers aren’t - activating the millions of EV batteries already on roads today. Repurposing batteries is the short-term solution and is expected to continue to support demand for many years to come.
Oil Price: World-First Floating Wind Technology to Help Power Oil Rigs
China has launched the world’s first floating wind turbine designed to power offshore oil production. China currently accounts for 78% of the new global offshore wind capacity in 2025 and around half of the total global offshore wind capacity. In the meantime, the United States has seen policy setbacks, with offshore wind projects facing cancellations, regulatory freezes, and legal battles.
The New York Times: Oil Firms Knew for Decades of Methane’s Danger to Planet, Documents Suggest
A new set of industry documents revealed that the oil and gas industry has known for decades that its wells were releasing far more methane than companies acknowledged. For years, the industry standpoint was that they “were always unclear what the results of methane were.” However, similar to the oil and gas industry, it seems as though they knew better but didn’t disclose any findings to the public.
The New York Times: Trump’s Plan for Science
The Trump administration is planning to overhaul the country’s approach to scientific research by shifting research funding away from universities toward individual researchers and private companies. The administration is prioritizing artificial intelligence, robotics, and nuclear energy, while reducing the government’s focus on life sciences.
The Wall Street Journal: SpaceX Launches Another Starship, and This Time the Market Is Watching
After a few aborted missions, SpaceX successfully launched the Starship rocket this week. This was the first time it was launched since the IPO. As the Company continues to grow following the influx of IPO funds, successful launches will further drive stock price appreciation.
National Interest: How China Is Winning the Global Intellectual Property Race
Currently, China is strengthening its intellectual property protections, while US leadership is weakening, threatening innovation, competitiveness, and the future of global technology. In a recent national test, Chinese high schoolers were asked why strong intellectual property rights matter. This underscores the priorities and showcases how China is revolutionizing the world of intellectual property.
It’s number 100 today!
Triple digits! That’s almost two full years of consistently publishing The Saturday Morning Newsletter.
Honestly, I’m pretty impressed with myself. When I first began this initiative, I would’ve been shocked if you'd told me I'd be doing it over two years later with this consistency.
It’s always been my drive to never miss a week—and I haven’t once yet. This has translated into consistency and stability in other parts of my life, providing a standing foundation I can continue to build on.
So here’s to the next 900, when we hit quadruple digits.
That’s a wrap on this week’s roundup.
Drew Jackson
Founder & Writer
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