By Jamie Barrie P lanet Labs Inc was founded in 2010 by a team of scientists who worked together at NASA Ames, a major research center in Silicon Valley. After shortening their name last year, Planet purchased purchased BlackBridge Corp.’s Satellite Unit, including five RapidEye satellites and an archive of imagery. Now the San Francisco-based startup now has more than 100 customers from agricultural giants like Bayer CropScience to humanitarian organizations, accessing its images anddata through a software platform that organizes the pictures taken by its dozens of small satellites. It looks like Planet is on the move again to grow its operation and capabilities as it is said to be in talks with Alphabet Inc. to buy their Skybox Imaging satellite business. Alphabet Inc only acquired the business less than three years ago, but analysis say that it is a clear sign
that the technology giant is scaling back its strategy to offer a global internet service and in this past October the company cut from its Fiber fast internet service. The plan for Google when it purchased the Skybox was so that it would provide accurate with up-to-date imagery for Google Maps. Google was hoping to use the technology to improve internet access and disaster relief. The division operated within Google’s mapping business and it launched a small number of satellites but it seems to be changing its strategy of developing its own satellite businesses to investing in other companies in this sector. The Skybox sale to Planet is said to be an equity transaction, which means Alphabet will own a stake in Planet which would fit their new strategy. This acquisition will also put them in a better position to compete against DigitalGlobe Inc. and Airbus Defence & Space.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2017
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