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        Satellite operator Intelsat has signed a multi-year, multi-launch agreement with Relativity Space for the Terran R reusable launch vehicle under development.
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        The agreement will enable Intelsat to launch its satellites using Relativity Space's Terran R vehicle starting in 2026. The partnership was formed due to the growing demand for launch capacity and the lack of competition in the heavy-lift payload class. Terran R, which can carry up to 5,500 kg to geostationary transfer orbit, is expected to meet this demand and provide a customer-focused solution.
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        <b>Analyst QuickTake</b>
        : Terran R has been in development for some time. In April, Relativity Space revealed its decision to 
        <a href="https://www.space.com/relativity-space-shelves-terran-1-rocket">
          discontinue
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         its smaller launch vehicle, Terran 1, to focus entirely on the larger vehicle. This strategic shift mirrors the evolving launch market dynamics. Customers can now opt for launching single satellites using cost-effective rideshare missions or aim to deploy mega-constellations composed of thousands of satellites, necessitating rockets with high payload capacity. 
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    <a href="https://spacenews.com/intelsat-signs-multi-launch-contract-with-relativity-space/">
      Space News
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Space Travel and Exploration Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

DISRUPTOR_PRESENT

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Intelsat has partnered with Relativity Space to use its Terran R reusable launch vehicle for launching satellites starting in 2026. The agreement was made to address the increasing demand for launch capacity and the lack of competition in the heavy-lift payload sector. The Terran R is capable of carrying up to 5,500 kg to geostationary transfer orbit, making it suitable for meeting this demand and providing a customer-centric solution. Analyst QuickTake : Terran R has been in development for some time. In April, Relativity Space revealed its decision to discontinue its smaller launch vehicle, Terran 1, to focus entirely on the larger vehicle. This strategic shift mirrors the evolving launch market dynamics. Customers can now opt for launching single satellites using cost-effective rideshare missions or aim to deploy mega-constellations composed of thousands of satellites, necessitating rockets with high payload capacity.

Intelsat signs multi-launch contract with Relativity Space

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

<div>
 <p>MightyFly, a provider of drone-based delivery services, has been granted approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a flight corridor between the New Jerusalem and Byron Airports in California, a distance of 20 miles. This approval will allow MightyFly to conduct various flight tests with their “2024 Cento” drone. The drone has the capability to operate beyond the visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) of the operator and will be monitored by a chase plane.</p>
 <p>MightyFly highlights the potential of their drone for B2B fast logistics in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and defense. The company has plans to scale production through a Series A investment round.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Today’s approval marks a significant step forward for MightyFly, as it looks to test and commercialize its drone technology. The company unveiled its third-gen 2024 Cento drone <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/25965"> in January 2024, </a> which can carry a maximum payload of around 100 lbs while cruising at a speed of 150 mph at a range of around 600 m.</p>

MightyFly receives FAA approval for test flight corridor in California

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

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 <p>Resolution Games, a developer of XR games, has appointed Johan Gästrin as its new chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Gästrin will direct the company's technology strategy and spearhead innovation efforts, with a particular focus on spatial computing and mixed reality.</p>
 <p>With a 25-year career in the technology industry, Gästrin brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has previously served as head of technology at Resolution Games and head of King’s internal game engine, Fiction Factory. In addition to his gaming background, Gästrin has held key roles at H&amp;M and has been involved in various industries including ecommerce and healthcare.</p>
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Resolution Games appoints Johan Gästrin as CTO

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>Meta has rolled out the v65 update for its Quest headsets, which includes an enhanced feature that lets users import panoramas straight from iPhones. This, in turn, enhances the passthrough capability for a more immersive VR experience.</p>
 <p>This update allows users to upload and view their panoramas in VR through the Meta Quest app, a feature which is compatible with iPhones equipped with iOS 17 or later. It further improves the spatial video playback aspect and extends passthrough support across all system interfaces. In addition, v65 is designed to minimize interruptions caused by hand tracking when using a mouse and keyboard connected to the headset.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> The update follows Meta’s v64 update for the Quest 3 in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28347"> April 2024 </a> , which brought notable improvements to the headset. These included improved resolution and image quality in its passthrough mode, allowing users to read smaller text, such as smartphone notifications, more easily.</p>

Meta updates Quest headsets with panorama import and improved passthrough features in v65 update

Making banking work, without the paperwork

Neobanks

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 <p>Lunar, a Danish neobank, has raised approximately USD 25.7 million in a funding round, bringing its total funds raised to USD 510 million. The funding was contributed by its existing investors and will be used to strengthen the company's capital position and expand its services across the Nordic countries. Lunar also plans to become a full-service bank in Sweden.</p>
 <p>This funding is particularly significant as Lunar previously failed to acquire the local lender Instabank due to insufficient capital. The failed acquisition, worth around USD 140.7 million, led to legal proceedings. As a result, Lunar is bolstering its capital reserves while it anticipates the next steps in the proceedings.</p>
 
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Lunar raises EUR 24.1 million in funding to sustain growth

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 <p>In Knoxville, Tennessee, regulators have prohibited the use of delivery droids on streets and sidewalks due to insufficient infrastructure. The decision was made after assessing applications from droid operators requesting to introduce their robots in the city.</p>
 <p>While the city might reconsider this decision in the future, currently only Starship Technologies is allowed to continue its droid-based food delivery service at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. However, the service is restricted to on-campus deliveries due to the imposed ban on off-campus activities.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Although Tennessee state regulations <a href="https:<br>
//trackbill.com/bill/tennessee-senate-bill-2836-traffic-safety-as-enacted-establishes-requirements-for-the-operation-of-personal-delivery-devices-specifies-that-a-personal-delivery-device-may-be-operated-in-pedestrian-areas-up-to-10-miles-per-hour-and-is-not-considered-a-motor-vehicle-amends-tca-title-55-chapter-1-title-55-chapter-10-title-55-chapter-12-and-title-55-chapter-8/1888807/"> approved </a> the operation of droids in 2020, the enacted ban in Knoxville will now restrict companies from deploying droids within the city. However, Knoxville is not the only city that has considered restricting delivery droids. Early adopters <a href="https:<br>
//www.bbc.com/news/technology-42265048"> San Francisco (California) </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//globalnews.ca/news/9324385/food-delivery-robots-canada-challenges/"> Toronto (Canada) </a> also later imposed restrictions or bans on robots due to concerns over pedestrian safety.&nbsp;</p>

Delivery droids banned in Knoxville, Tennessee

Empowering efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout supply networks

Supply Chain Tech

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 <p>Exiger, a leader in risk and compliance technology, has joined forces with the Institute for American Apprenticeships (IAA) to initiate a unique apprenticeship program aimed at training supply chain and third-party risk analysts. This groundbreaking partnership will see the development of the first apprenticeship of its kind, officially registered with the Department of Labor and centred on the risk and compliance industry. </p> 
 <p>Apprentices enlisted in the program will undergo niche training in areas such as AI-assisted research, meticulous risk analysis, and the scrutiny of various legal, regulatory, and media artifacts. The goal of this initiative is to cultivate a forward-thinking, skill-rich workforce that is well-equipped to handle the evolving demands of supply chain and third-party risk management. This innovative approach will also contribute significantly to the advancement of the industry as a whole.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Exiger actively collaborates with government agencies and associations to enhance risk management capabilities within supply chains. For example, in the recent past, the company has <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27246"> partnered </a> with aDolus to bolster supply chain cyber defense for critical industries and also <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/24987"> partnered </a> with the USPAE to secure the US electronics supply chain.</p>

Exiger and IAA partner to launch apprenticeship program for risk analysts

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 <p>Invent Analytics, a retail planning solution provider, has secured USD 17 million in a Series B funding round. LFX Venture Partners spearheaded the round, with contributions from current investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Collective Spark.</p>
 <p>The company intends to utilise the investment to increase its AI platform's functionality, serve evolving omni-channel retail demands, reinforce strategic collaborations, and grow its team of retail experts.</p>
 <p>​Invent Analytic offers progressive analytics solutions aimed at enhancing retail supply chain planning to elevate profits. Their principal products, Omni-AI and Omni-Plan, amalgamate various optimization solutions such as demand forecasting, inventory, markdown, and price optimization. These offer a consolidated solution to modern retailers' challenges.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> With the increasing demand, competition in the Supply Chain Planning tech space is on the rise. Apart from new disruptors entering the space, existing players are also actively upgrading their offerings to remain competitive. For example, in the recent past, companies like <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/28562"> o9 Solutions </a> , <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27743"> Algo </a> , and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27573"> RELEX Solutions </a> have been enhancing their products to capitalize on market opportunities.</p>

Invent Analytics raises USD 17 million in Series B funding to advance AI platform and expand team

Quantum information processing is slowly becoming a reality, ushering in a new technological era.

Quantum Computing

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 <p>Quantum Machines (QM), a quantum hardware and software company has entered a partnership with Hamamatsu, a photonics technology firm. Quantum computation, communication, and sensing capacities are set for improvement through this collaboration, though the specifics of the deal and its financial aspects have not been revealed.</p>
 <p>Their collaboration will incorporate QM’s camera interface, Observe, into Hamamatsu's ORCA-Quest camera which will allow for accelerated readouts of cold atoms and trapped-ion qubits. The QUA language enables real-time image processing and smooth integration resulting in a system that is commonly used within the quantum computing community. It also has support for camera link and CoaXpress interfaces in OPX+, creating compatibility with Hamamatsu’s camera, therefore improving research scalability.</p>
 
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Quantum Machines partners with Hamamatsu to enhance quantum computation and sensing capabilities

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

<div><p>PlaqueTec, a company focused on finding endotype-specific biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD), has successfully raised GBP 6.4 million (USD 8 million) in equity financing. The funding round was led by Lord Moynihan of Chelsea, with contributions from the Future Fund and several other existing investors.</p>

<p>Plans to use the raised funds include financing the ongoing BIOPATTERN trial, a study who's objective is to enhance understanding CAD pathobiology. Further, the funding will also be set aside for the development and expansion of BIOCARTA, PlaqueTec's bioinformatics discovery platform.</p>

<p>The UK-based company remains dedicated to advancing precision medicine for CAD through the discovery of endotype-specific biomarkers. Through using their proprietary technology in conjunction with the BIOCARTA platform, the company plans to impact disease-based precision medicine. They trust that this methodology will eventually result in improved treatment outcomes for patients suffering from CAD.</p></div>

PlaqueTec raises GBP 6.4 million in equity funding

More important now than ever, telehealth will long outlast the pandemic that drove its growth.

Telehealth

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 <p>Biotricity, a remote patient monitoring firm, collaborates with two prominent home-based neurology and sleep apnea diagnostic companies to broaden its services in cardiac diagnostics.</p>
 <p>Thanks to this collaboration, Biotricity can offer comprehensive screenings to patients with sleep or neurological disorders. Such screenings contribute to early detection and control, leading to enhanced disease management and life quality for patients.</p>

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