In this episode, Space Forward talks to Peter Platzer about the foundation and journey of Spire Global. Not-just-a-satellite company, Spire has a textbook-like business model that allows for extraordinary asset utilization and several risk-adjusted revenue streams, positioning them as a leading data analytics and weather prediction company. Spire notably owns the entire value chain ― from building and operating their multipurpose nano-satellite constellation, to providing object tracking and weather prediction services around the globe, 24/7. Tune in now to hear about the ups-and-downs of starting a commercial satellite company, Peter’s purposeful business philosophies, and humanity’s adventure into space to solve problems here on Earth. Peter Platzer is the CEO of Spire Global. A former Boston Consulting and Deutsche Bank quant trader who studied physics in Vienna, Peter holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a fellow International Space University Alumni. Space Forward deconstructs the efforts of humankind’s expansion into space, focusing on the hard problems inherent to facilitating our interplanetary future. Through insightful conversations with forward-thinking visionaries, this podcast explores the actionable steps required to make our space future a reality, breaking down complex ideas into first principle concepts. CONTENT 00:01:22 Intro 00:02:10 Call to adventure | Lead, inspire and create the business of space for the benefit of all 00:03:46 Refusal of the call | Harvard Business School & Wallstreet 00:04:02 Supernatural aid | Peter Diamandis & The Singularity University 00:04:48 Crossing the first threshold | International Space University & meet the founder crew 00:06:38 Metamorphosis | Moore’s Law & the foundation of Spire Global 00:09:45 Road of trials | Weather prediction & finding product-market fit 00:12:04 Meeting with the goddess | Raising money & trusted mentors 00:17:46 Rejections 00:18:15 Confront what slows one down | do something one can only do from space 00:20:30 Captain Ahab & not waiting for Godot 00:22:37 Apotheosis | Breakthrough 00:28:30 The ultimate boon | Building satellites 00:30:00 The hard thing about hard things | The struggle on hiring 00:33:35 Magic flight | Losing satellites in the mail 00:33:40 Crossing the return threshold | Lessons learned 00:36:27 Master of two worlds | Findings 00:38:37 Freedom to Live | Big data and analytics