Welcome to the Collective. We hope you all had a great weekend. As summer winds down, enjoy every one like its your last. Odds are it was a good one as long as you weren’t in space, in Seattle, or on the board of Paramount.

Tomorrow we’re sharing the next episode of our podcast, featuring Deeptune Co-Founder Tim Lupo. With Gary Vaynerchuk and Alexis Ohanian as investors, Tim’s company is set to redefine the global content creation landscape for small creators and large studios alike.

— Antonio DiMeglio & Leon Li

Lost in Space

How does NASA decide when a spacecraft like Boeing's Starliner is ready to return from space? Much like a student, the spacecraft must pass a series of tests. But when things don't go as planned, as they haven't with Starliner, is it safe to proceed?

This is the question NASA has faced recently. The Starliner capsule, which successfully delivered astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in early June, was supposed to return with the same two-person crew that it arrived carrying. However, NASA has now announced that the Starliner will return to Earth empty.

This decision marks a significant shift for NASA and Boeing, who had previously insisted that Starliner was the primary option for bringing the crew home. The spacecraft’s crew flight test was supposed to be the final major hurdle in its development, but unexpected issues have forced a reevaluation.

This is a major win for SpaceX, who is likely to bring the two astronauts home in their Dragon capsule. The message to startup founders in aerospace here is clear: keep going. If an incumbent as large as Boeing is having this much trouble, there is room for a new generation of problem solvers. After all, we’re only a couple of years from the launch of space tourism, which may become a consistent part of the economy in the mid-21st century.

Sea-Tac Attacked

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and the Port of Seattle faced a significant disruption on Saturday due to a “possible cyberattack” that impacted phone systems, websites, and key operations. The outage, which began around 9 a.m. PT, led to widespread operational challenges, including issues with the airport's baggage sorting system and flight information displays. Travelers were advised to check in online, avoid checking bags, and allow extra time to navigate the impacted systems.

This incident underscores the increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats. Despite Alaska Airlines maintaining its flight schedule, the disruption at Sea-Tac highlights how quickly essential services can be compromised. The Port of Seattle is working to address the issues, but the event is a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect vital systems.

This situation is a clear signal for startups and smaller companies that cybersecurity must be a top priority. The risks of disruption, even for major institutions, are too significant to ignore. Investing in strong cybersecurity from the outset can be crucial in preventing or mitigating the impacts of such attacks, ensuring operational continuity, and protecting customer trust.

As for cybersecurity startups themselves, be on the lookout for public sector opportunities. Your services will be needed to protect the infrastructure of an increasingly complex global landscape.

The Future of the Top of the Mountain

Who will control the future of Paramount Global? The battle between Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Skydance Media has turned into a high-stakes drama, with billions of dollars on the line and the legacy of Shari Redstone hanging in the balance. Armed with $6 billion, Bronfman is challenging Skydance to control National Amusements, the holding company behind Paramount. The twist? If his bid prevails, Bronfman is willing to keep Redstone, Paramount’s non-executive chairman, close to the company.

As the Paramount Global special committee approaches its decision deadline on August 28, the rivalry between Bronfman’s $6 billion offer and Skydance’s $8 billion bid highlights the importance of board management skills in an acquisition. While Skydance’s bid promises a larger payout to shareholders, Bronfman’s approach includes the potential to keep Shari Redstone involved, backed by former AOL CEO Jon Miller. This scenario underscores the need for strategic alliances and careful negotiation.

For startup founders, this case serves as a real-world example of the challenges that can arise in board management. Understanding how to navigate these situations effectively is crucial for steering a company through periods of change and ensuring that all decisions are made with the company’s long-term success in mind.

Kaleidoscope Focused: Key News

1. The median time lapse between series A and series B funding in 2024 has been 28 months: the longest since 2012

2. Telegram founder Pavel Durov arrested in France

3. Tilray expands craft beer portfolio by acquiring four Molson Coors brands

4. Expedia vet to lead Madrona Venture Labs AI business travel spinout

5. Black Myth: Wukong Sells an Incredible 10 Million Copies in Just 3 Days

Curated Picks: What to Watch

This six and a half minute CNBC feature discusses how two Japanese companies plan to produce hydrogen on the surface of the moon in a mission set to begin by the end of 2024.

Coming Soon

Tomorrow, we will be publishing our podcast with Deeptune Co-Founder Tim Lupo. This interview has it all. The “headline” is of course how Tim shares how he got seed funding from Gary Vaynerchuk and Alexis Ohanian. But what you truly won’t want to miss is the context provided by Tim on his company’s vision and mission to redefine the global media landscape. He firmly believes that the barriers of language should not prevent any creator from global distribution. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow on Spotify to be alerted when the next episode comes out!

Grow the Collective

Some special surprises may be in store for our first referrers! 👀

Thanks for reading! We’ll see you Wednesday. In the meantime, stay tuned with us on socials @CoeusCollective.