John Ramstead, CPLC, ACC

🚀 We’re thrilled to announce our investment in Samara Aerospace’s $10 million Seed round to help bring more stability to satellites in orbit and enable high-sensitivity radio frequency (RF) detection for defense (e.g. hypersonic missiles) and commercial (e.g. vessels) applications.  The round was led by Balerion Space Ventures, with participation from IllinoisVentures GP LLC, MFV Partners, and Access Holdings Samara’s vision: Samara is building a new generation of high-stability satellites, called Hummingbirds, designed to detect the faintest RF emissions from Earth and its atmosphere. The problem: Modern satellites are optimized for cost and speed, at the expense of: ⚠️ Signal instability reducing data quality and reliability ⚠️ Limited ability to detect aircraft radar, ship transponders, and advanced weather systems ⚠️ Inefficiencies that translate into lost time, resources, and data What Samara does differently: At the core of Hummingbird is MSAC (Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control), an active vibration-cancellation system. Instead of passively damping movements and jitters, MSAC actively eliminates them, allowing for: ✅ Extreme satellite stability for ultra-weak RF signal detection ✅ Support for much larger antennas and solar arrays without sacrificing agility ✅ Cut satellite size and weight without impacting performance Traction: Samara recently launched its technology demonstrator, “Cicada” with SpaceX and received Non-dilutive funding including a $4M SpaceWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) award and a NASA Phase I contract. These are in addition to more than $800m in LOIs that Samara holds with aerospace contractors and companies. Samara's plans to deploy a full constellation of these stabilised satellites, enabling faint radio signals detection for dual-use application: Defence: tracking fast-moving targets, including hypersonic missiles, with precision beyond existing technology.  Commercial/Civil: providing continuous monitoring and awareness of assets across the globe such as vessels and airplanes. What’s next: 🚀 First mission Hummingbird-1 planned for 2027 🏭 Scaling operations with a new 11,200-sq-ft production facility We’re excited to back Samara Aerospace alongside Balerion Space Ventures and What If Ventures, and are excited for what’s to come. You can read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/enZyy2Xu 💡 Want access to breakthrough ventures like Samara Aerospace? Join our investor network 👉 https://lnkd.in/g4AedRck Note: This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. #SpaceTech #Aerospace #DefenseTech #DeepTech #VentureCapital

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SmartSky won $22.7M in past damages from Gogo's patent infringement, and intends to seek enhanced damages based on the jury's willfulness finding, plus a running royalty for the '639 and '077 patents, which do not expire until 2033 and 2035, respectively. https://lnkd.in/eww-jWQ3

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Ever considered your business strategy an insurance policy? It’s an interesting perspective, especially when considering the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship. Reflecting on the '5 Ds'—death, disability, divorce, dissolution, and disagreements—highlights the need to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. Exit and growth planning can be viewed as strategic foresight rather than just future considerations, ensuring the business is resilient against life’s uncertainties. It raises the question: How much emphasis should be placed on proactive planning versus reactive problem-solving in business? Would love to hear your thoughts. #BusinessStrategy #ExitPlanning #BusinessGrowth #RiskManagement #Entrepreneurship #StrategicPlanning

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Our commitment to securing our future and promoting U.S. leadership in the global communications industry is a top priority and last week we reached a major milestone toward that goal. EchoStar Corporation has entered into a new era by signing an agreement with MDA Space for our new LEO direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation and ushering in the next wave of innovation within non-terrestrial connectivity. This new LEO constellation will provide global wideband services directly to all devices with the current 3GPP NTN specifications without modifications – this is true 5G mobility at a global scale.

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Most business owners think they have two options: keep grinding or sell the company. But what if there’s an alternative middle path? In my latest episode, I sat down with Jim Muehlhausen, Founder of Half-Retire, to talk about half-retirement—a strategy that lets owners step back without stepping away. We cover: ✅ Why a sale often doesn’t replace the cash flow you already enjoy ✅ How half-retirement helps owners reclaim time while keeping income and control ✅Why designing systems (not just delegating) is key to building transferable value If you’ve ever wondered how to exit on your terms—or whether selling is really the best move—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 🎙️ https://lnkd.in/e-cG6yfb

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The SBA designed the 8(a) to fast-track disadvantaged businesses, not babysit them. Those who treat it like a strategy multiply their pipeline. Those who treat it like paperwork get buried in it. Landing the 8(a) Business Development Program status is one of the most powerful moves a small business can make. But it’s not the finish line. It’s the launch pad. Here is what many don’t tell you: → As soon as you’re certified, you gain access to sole-source and set-aside contracts, potentially without full competition. → You receive tailored business development support, mentorship, and access to procurement channels that others don’t have. → But, you still must perform. You still must deliver. You still must build capacity and credibility. Think of it like this: you’re cleared to fly, but you still have to pilot the plane, navigate the skies, and land safely and those who do it consistently are the ones who turn “runway” into “destination.” For firms that treat 8(a) like a ticket, the term can feel like a ticking clock. But for the firms who treat it like a strategy, the nine-year window becomes the period where they build what the larger primes already have: alliances, proven past performance, agency trust, and repeatable systems. So the real question isn’t “Can I get 8(a)?” It’s “What will I do with it?” Because yes the 8(a) gives you the runway. But you decide whether you use it to take off… or taxi aimlessly. Ready to learn how to scale with your certifications, not just list them? Join the 6-Week Bootcamp: Scale with Certifications, starting November 7, 2025. Learn how to: ✅ Convert your 8(a) status into sole-source wins ✅ Build agency relationships that compound over time ✅ Use your certifications to unlock long-term revenue 🔗 Register now → https://lnkd.in/e3srnZEj

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Today I’m proud to share that Greenfield Partners has led Commcrete’s $21M Series A to deliver the world’s first SATCOM-on-the-move! Mobility breaks most communications systems. Teams don’t operate in perfect conditions, they move under canopy, through storms, and across dense cities. Commcrete solves for real world connectivity, no matter the terrain. Their handheld, omni-directional terminals turn what once required a vehicle into a palm-sized form factor that keeps secure voice and data flowing on the move, no pointing, no clear-sky line of sight, no truck-mounted dishes. “Resilient communications will define the next decade of defense and public safety,” says Partner Raz Mangel. “Commcrete has developed technology that works where others fail, proven in combat, disaster response, and environments where conventional systems go dark." Founded by an exceptional team, Itzik Daniel Michaeli, Josh Yedidia, and Michael Mor bring the rare blend of deep engineering, operator mindsets, and disciplined execution. The technology has been proven across demanding defense and emergency scenarios, and the company is now ready to scale into public safety and critical infrastructure, where resilience isn’t optional. We’re excited to partner with the Commcrete team, joining forces with investors Redseed and existing backers Amnon Shashua, q fund, and Doron Sagie to help scale manufacturing, accelerate field deployments, and expand the platform across U.S. and allied markets. To Itzik Daniel Michaeli, Josh Yedidia, Michael Mor and the entire Commcrete team - you've built something special. We’re honored to be a part of your journey - the best is yet to come! Raz Mangel Meir Cohen #Comcrette #nextgenSATCOM

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