Space Hurricanes, Cardio for your ears and IVF Options update

March 11

This week we discover Space Hurricanes. Until recently scientists didn’t even know such a thing existed. We also look at a “Cardio for your Ears” app and we examine the progress in VTOLs. They are coming to a city near you, very shortly. Finally we update the progress that Australian startup, IVF Options has been making since we met them 21 months ago.

Space Hurricane

Recently an examination of old data from four meteorological satellites operated by the US Department of Defense revealed a phenomena that we did not know existed. Space Hurricanes.

On August 20, 2014 in the ionosphere above the North Pole, a Space Hurricane occurred. The storm, made up of swirling clouds of plasma, raged in the Earth’s upper atmosphere for about 8 hours dumping huge amounts of electrons. Similar to rain dropped by a regular hurricane. The storm was about 1,000 kilometers wide and had several spiral arms spinning in an anti clockwise direction (hurricanes spin anti clockwise, cyclones spin clockwise hence the use of the term hurricane, maybe there are space cyclones at the South Pole?).

The space hurricane occurred during a period of low geomagnetic activity. This may mean that they could be relatively common. Understanding the mechanisms and effects of space hurricanes is important to improving our management of satellites, GPS and other electronics.

Cardio for your Ears

Many of us go regularly to the gym to work out and improve our cardio fitness (some of us just go for coffee but that is another story). Santa Monica based startup AudioCardio has developed a sound based system for improving hearing. They describe it as cardio for your ears.

Using a technique called Threshold Sound Conditioning, AudioCardio users assess their hearing to generate personalized barely audible sound therapies to maintain and strengthen their hearing. The therapy works passively in the background whilst you do other activities like listening to music, exercising, working or even falling asleep.

AudioCardio conducted a double blind randomized controlled trial with Stanford University and Palo Alto Medical Foundation. 78% of the participants had more than a 10 decibel change in their hearing for the frequencies targeted by the study.

VTOL Update

We have spoken about Vertical TakeOff and Landing vehicles several times. They are essentially autonomous electric flying taxis. They are not currently in the skies flying us from place to place however given the huge amount of money flowing into the sector it appears that they will soon be. Morgan Stanley research projects that the autonomous urban aircraft market will be worth US$1.5 Trillion by 2040.

The first air taxis are expected to take paying passengers sometime in 2022. Which city will be first to approve and use the service is yet to be determined. Here is a brief update on the progress of various companies that we have previously mentioned.

Archer Aviation

Archer will soon release “Maker” a VTOL that can travel up to 60 miles on a single charge and hit a speed of 240kph. Archer will shortly merge with Atlas Crest Investment Corp SPAC (a SPAC is a special purpose acquisition company that is used in the US markets to list some companies) with an initial valuation of US$3.8 Billion. United Airlines has already ordered 200 VTOLS from Archer.

Joby Aviation

Joby’s aircraft can travel 240 kilometers on a single charge and reach a speed of 320kph. Joby is about to merge with Reid Hoffman’s (he co-founded LinkedIn and was part of the founding team at PayPal) Reinvent Technology Partners SPAC. Joby will go public with an initial valuation of US$6.6Billion.

Uber Elevate

Uber was planning to release their VTOL in 2023 however with the recent change in CEO, Uber sold the business to Joby in 2020.

Volocopter

German startup, Volocopter has been developing their VTOLs since their launch in 2011. Having performed more than 1,000 test flights they are currently seeking European and American regulatory approval. Their 2 seat vehicle travels up to 27 kilometers at a top speed of 110kph.

Lilium

Another German Startup, Lilium has raised US$375 million since inception in 2015. Their 5 seater has a maximum speed of 400Kph and can travel 300 kilometers on a single charge. In November 2020, they started to build their transportation hub in Orlando, Florida.

Ehang

Chinese startup, Ehang has recently started testing their VTOL in the US. They have already carried out testing in China, Austria and Qatar. Ehang IPOed in December 2019. They currently carry out cinematography, photography and emergence response services in China.

Whilst VTOLs won’t replace our cars they will make the commute in busy cities quicker for some trips. The early uses will be for intra city transportation however as the technology develops trips to nearby cites will no doubt become available. Most VTOL companies are looking at price points comparable to taxi fares so it will be accessible to a wide range of people.

IVF Options update

In June 2019 we talked about IVF Options an Australian startup that aims to make fertility treatment more understandable and affordable to everyone who needs it. They do this by providing transparent information on fertility clinic treatments, costs, success rates and patient reviews. 

Soon after we featured them, Founder Lexie Magyar moved to the US to further develop the business. Lexie recently formed a Joint Venture with the largest pharmaceutical company in their space to fund and expand their US development. In February this year they launched the US business. As of March 2021 they are lean and focused on their patient centric model, driving patient demand and starting to monetize the US platform.

Founding and developing a startup is hard, really hard. It takes far longer than the general public thinks it takes to build an overnight success. It is great to see another Australian startup, begin to make waves in the world’s biggest market.

NFT Update

Last week I mentioned that I was attempting to buy some NBA Top Shot packs. NBA Top Shots are NFTs with a short video of a play. I was successful and now am the proud owner of 6 Moments. None of them will make me rich however at current market prices I am ahead on the investment.

Paying it Forward

If you have a start-up or know of a start-up that has a product ready for market please let me know. I would be happy to have a look and feature the startup in this newsletter. Also if any startups need introductions please get in touch and I will help where I can.

If you have any questions or comments please email me via my website craigcarlyon.com or comment below.

I would also appreciate it if you could forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested.

Till next week.