Liftoff: SpaceX's valuation just keeps soaring

6/27/23 8:00PM

Liftoff‍

‍SpaceX is reportedly looking to sell insider shares at $80 apiece — a price point that would propel the valuation of the company to an astonishing $150bn, making it the second most valuable startup in the world, second only to TikTok owner Bytedance.

Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX was created to revolutionize space transportation, with a longer term goal of one day colonizing Mars. However, the venture — perhaps unsurprisingly — quickly proved to be an expensive undertaking. After initially looking to reuse old Russian rockets, the SpaceX team realized they might be able to make the rockets cheaper themselves. Various failed launch attempts (and flirtation with bankruptcy) ensued before the company started to prove itself. External funding came in waves, and every milestone from reusable rockets to crewed missions saw SpaceX’s credibility, and its valuation, grow.

‍The wifi frontier

‍The company has significantly increased the number of satellites and rockets it launches into space, becoming the busiest rocket launcher globally. Such expertise has enabled SpaceX to build out its network of Starlink satellites, which aim to provide global internet access. There are now more than 4,000 satellites in its “Wifi constellation” — and the company has reported having 1.5 million subscribers.

The entrance of Allbirds seen from Hayes St. in San Francisco, Calif.

Allbirds, the once buzzy multibillion-dollar sneaker startup, is selling up for $39 million

That’s less than 1% of its peak market cap about four years ago.

Tom Jones14h

Max Knoblauch3/30/26

JetBlue is raising its bag fees as fuel costs squeeze airlines

JetBlue will reportedly hike its bag fees, as the cost of jet fuel continues to climb amid the war in Iran. It’s the latest example of carriers finding ways to push rising costs onto travelers.

Last week, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that if fuel prices remain elevated, fares would need to rise another 20% for his airline to break even this year.

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

Earlier this month, JetBlue hiked its first-quarter outlook for operating revenue per seat mile to between 5% and 7%, saying that strong Q1 demand helped “partially offset additional expenses realized from operational disruptions and rising fuel costs.” Now, the carrier appears to be making moves to further boost revenue to offset those costs.

Earlier on Monday, JetBlue rival Alaska Air lowered its Q1 profit forecast. The refining margins for the carrier’s cheapest fuel option — sourced from Singapore and representing about 20% of Alaska’s overall supply — have spiked 400% since February.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

JetBlue Airways raises bag fees as fuel prices soar

As CNBC reported, when one airline raises fees, others tend to follow.

JetBlue did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tom Jones

flavor of the month

3/30/26

Americans won’t tolerate bland food anymore — and it’s turned McCormick into a ~$7 billion-a-year spice and sauce giant

Now, McCormick is eyeing Unilever’s food business.

Bottles of Frank's RedHot Xtra Hot and Sweet Chili on a

Foam party!

Crocs’ prince charming

ByChrisStokel-Walker

FriMar 272026

Max Knoblauch3/26/26

Netflix is hiking its prices again

Netflix is raising its subscription prices for the fourth time in four years, a move first spotted by Android Authority.

Per Netflix’s US pricing page, the cost of an ad-supported plan is climbing $1 to $8.99 per month, while the cost of a standard ad-free plan is going up $2 to $19.99 per month. The premium tier has also risen $2 to $26.99 per month.

The streamer last raised its subscription costs more than a year ago in January 2025. It also hiked prices in 2023, 2022, 2020, and 2019. Netflix shares climbed about 2% on the news.

“Our approach remains the same: we continue offering a range of prices and plans to meet a variety of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members we are updating our prices to enable us to reinvest in quality entertainment and improve their experience by updating our prices,” said a Netflix spokesperson, in a statement to Sherwood News.

Netflix is hiking your prices yet again: Standard, premium, and ad-supported all going up