This Week I’m Tracking: 14 developments across the sectors shaping our future
Reading Time: 5 minutes of curated insights
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Let’s dive in.
#1: InsectBiotech
Description: InsectBiotech is a startup using fly larvae to convert agricultural byproducts.
Why Is This Company Interesting? InsectBiotech recently raised $7.2M in venture capital funding. InsectBiotech is a circular bioeconomy startup that uses fly larvae to process agricultural waste, specifically olive pomace and brewery byproducts. InsectBiotech converts these low-value byproducts into sustainable protein meal for animal feed, organic fertilizer, and biodiesel oils.
#2: Mitti Labs
Description: Mitti Labs is reducing methane emissions from rice farming.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Mitti Labs recently raised $9.5M in venture capital funding. Mitti Labs is a climate-tech company leveraging satellite data and AI to transform rice farming. Mitti Labs helps smallholder farms adopt sustainable agricultural techniques that reduce methane emissions and water usage, generating carbon credits for corporate sustainability programs.
#3: Neuraspace
Description: Neuraspace is a space domain awareness and traffic management platform.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Neuraspace recently raised $15.6M in venture capital funding. Neuraspace is a space-tech company building AI and machine learning software for space traffic management. The platform tracks orbital debris, predicts collision risks, and provides satellite operators with automated maneuver suggestions to prevent costly in-space accidents.
Description: WindBorne Systems is a developer of smart weather balloons.
Why Is This Company Interesting? WindBorne Systems recently raised $37M in venture capital funding. WindBorne Systems is a weather intelligence company deploying autonomous, long-duration smart microballoons. WindBorne collects atmospheric data from regions to power high-resolution planetary weather models and improve extreme weather predictions.
#5: Plantible Foods
Description: Plantible Foods is a plant-based protein producer.
Why Is This Company Interesting? Plantible Foods recently raised $10M in venture capital funding. Plantible Foods is a B2B food technology company cultivating duckweed. Plantible extracts a functional plant protein called Rubi, which exceeds animal proteins in binding, emulsifying, and gelation capabilities for food and cosmetic applications.
Reuters: Solar Industry Grapples with Growing Waste Stream
As solar continues to grow exponentially as a share of global energy, the world doesn’t have a complete plan for the waste. What happens to the panels when they break? What happens when solar panels are replaced with newer technology? Solar panels contain valuable materials that can be recycled, but many parts can’t. Where do they go?
Oil Price: Americans’ $4B Wind Retreat Is a Bet on Permanently Cheap Gas
The United States has committed around $4B to reimburse companies for abandoning offshore-wind leases, directing future capital to oil and natural-gas projects instead. Natural gas already supplies around 40% of US electricity. Increasing this concentration leaves consumers, businesses, and the country more exposed to fuel-price volatility, as seen during the Iran War.
The New York Times: The Gulf Oil Shock is Pushing EV Sales to New Heights Globally
Electric car sales are on track to hit record highs this year, with 29% of all new cars purchased worldwide expected to be either purely battery-powered models or plug-in hybrids. The recent sales boom was unexpected. The US war with Iran caused oil and gas prices to spike, leading to a frenzy of electric car sales in unexpected corners of the globe.
The New York Times: Nation’s Largest Reservoirs Are Drying Up
Lake Powell and Lake Mead are drying up. This is creating cascade effects where the Colorado River has less flow, restricting water and electricity for millions of people. These are essential water sources for cities and farms across Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California. Shrinking reservoirs result from record-low snowpack this winter, a byproduct of climate change.
The New York Times: The Golden Age of Space Transportation
The Trump Administration released a space policy aimed at increasing the number of rockets going up to space and back down. The goal is more than 1,000 rocket launches and spacecraft re-entries per year by 2030. This incredible goal puts heavy emphasis on developing additional launch and landing sites.
Pitchbook: Obesity Investing’s Way Forward
Obesity drugs have created a massive market through a proven blueprint with blockbuster GLP-1s. Pitchbook mapped hundreds of clinical-stage obesity programs across development stages and biological mechanisms. This field is rapidly developing, although providers need to show differentiation and true efficacy to survive.
The New York Times: The Next China Shock is Here
China continues to dominate many advanced manufacturing sectors, from electric vehicles to batteries to solar panels to AI software. China is at the frontier, and that will transform geopolitics much like its large export phase. Some are calling this the “China Shock 2.0.”
Timberjay: A Possible Path to Hope and Tranquility
Humans continually lay the groundwork for future generations throughout all of history. However, man’s curiosity, relentlessness, and inventiveness will lead them into deep trouble. These traits will also enable him to bounce back. Do what you can to bring lightness and tranquility into your life.
Reddit: The Decline of Genuinely Deep Connections is Scaring Me
Today, connections are instant. You can easily talk with, see posts from, and communicate with people across the globe at the blink of an eye.
In many ways, this has been a positive trend, especially for those who are isolated and lonely. People can find more people like them, like-minded communities, and people who are on their wavelength more easily.
On the flip side, this has made many people cold and emotionless. Because connections can be made so easily and quickly, it’s also incredibly easy to throw them away on a whim because you know how easy it is to make another when needed.
People are simply being used more and more. People want friendships but don’t want to be friends.
This is a reminder to continue pursuing the genuine relationships in your life. People in your life matter; keep them around.
That’s a wrap on this week’s roundup.
Drew Jackson
Founder & Writer
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