Good article Tim, keep them coming. Would be interested to get your take on Starshield and whether you view it as a competitive threat to PL? I’m a believer in the huge potential upside of PL but this, aside from some management concerns, is my main worry.
We have relatively little information about Starshield today, but its formation is certainly not a positive for Planet. So in short, yes it should be considered a competitive threat. But I don't foresee it as an existential threat. From my view, a likely outcome (and this is pure speculation) is the DoD procures data and services from a wider variety of satellite operators as new capabilities come online. Planet offers a unique daily scan which differs from the services traditionally used for ISR purposes; the DoD is more likely to supplement what Planet brings to the table with whatever Starshield eventually offers. That's my current thinking, but it's certainly something to stay informed on and adapt as we gather new information.
Yes. My instinct is Starshield is/will be more of a complement than a substitute for PL. It could also help grow the TAM for EO which PL would benefit from. It bodes well as you’ve pointed out PL is well placed to be at the heart of the EO ecosystem with its investments in and nurturing of startups using its data, as well as the multiple partnerships it has forged. Difficult to understand a worst case for them at this point as it does feel if they did get into hot water, politics aside, a no-brainer acquisition for SpaceX or another probably US major player. It’s depressing, however, that their PR is so poor and for me comes across as borderline cavalier along with their attitude towards shareholders.
If they execute on Pelican and get to break even by end of the year I think things will be very positive. Broadly speaking they have executed on pretty much everything they said they would with the exception of the last 18months/couple of years (I'm not letting them off here but there are some mitigating factors but overall very disappointed with management - where the hell is PL-GPT? Can you think of a more powerful way to engage and inspire and give value to a global layman audience with an app like that, not to mention, boosting your brand and share price?). Obv the market cap they entered the public markets with was contemptible. The potential I think of the PL's platform opportunity at the heart of the EO sector is underappreciated and undervalued, notwithstanding the obvious. PS. Really like your think pieces on PL - definitely keep producing them as this is such an interesting sector that's just in the early innings!
Good article Tim, keep them coming. Would be interested to get your take on Starshield and whether you view it as a competitive threat to PL? I’m a believer in the huge potential upside of PL but this, aside from some management concerns, is my main worry.
We have relatively little information about Starshield today, but its formation is certainly not a positive for Planet. So in short, yes it should be considered a competitive threat. But I don't foresee it as an existential threat. From my view, a likely outcome (and this is pure speculation) is the DoD procures data and services from a wider variety of satellite operators as new capabilities come online. Planet offers a unique daily scan which differs from the services traditionally used for ISR purposes; the DoD is more likely to supplement what Planet brings to the table with whatever Starshield eventually offers. That's my current thinking, but it's certainly something to stay informed on and adapt as we gather new information.
Yes. My instinct is Starshield is/will be more of a complement than a substitute for PL. It could also help grow the TAM for EO which PL would benefit from. It bodes well as you’ve pointed out PL is well placed to be at the heart of the EO ecosystem with its investments in and nurturing of startups using its data, as well as the multiple partnerships it has forged. Difficult to understand a worst case for them at this point as it does feel if they did get into hot water, politics aside, a no-brainer acquisition for SpaceX or another probably US major player. It’s depressing, however, that their PR is so poor and for me comes across as borderline cavalier along with their attitude towards shareholders.
If they execute on Pelican and get to break even by end of the year I think things will be very positive. Broadly speaking they have executed on pretty much everything they said they would with the exception of the last 18months/couple of years (I'm not letting them off here but there are some mitigating factors but overall very disappointed with management - where the hell is PL-GPT? Can you think of a more powerful way to engage and inspire and give value to a global layman audience with an app like that, not to mention, boosting your brand and share price?). Obv the market cap they entered the public markets with was contemptible. The potential I think of the PL's platform opportunity at the heart of the EO sector is underappreciated and undervalued, notwithstanding the obvious. PS. Really like your think pieces on PL - definitely keep producing them as this is such an interesting sector that's just in the early innings!
Great work as always Tim!
Thanks Nathan!