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- Amazon blasts into space race
Good morning, tech enthusiasts. Amazon just launched the first batch of Project Kuiper satellites into low-Earth orbit, kicking off its quest to blanket the globe with high-speed connectivity from space.
In a bold leap to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink in satellite internet, can Amazon carve out its own place in the final frontier, or are things up there about to get a lot messier?
In today’s tech rundown:
Amazon launches its first internet satellites
IBM to invest $150B for quantum leap
At-home cancer test startup gets $22M
Deliveroo surges as DoorDash eyes buyout
Quick hits on other major news
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
AMAZON
Image source: Amazon
The Rundown: On Monday, Amazon launched the first 27 satellites for Project Kuiper—its ambitious plan to build a large network of internet-beaming satellites in low-Earth orbit and directly compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The details:
Under the $10B-worth project, Amazon plans to deploy 3,236 low-Earth orbit satellites to provide internet to underserved and remote regions globally.
The company will complete the project in five phases — and is on a regulatory deadline to have at least 1,618 satellites in orbit by mid-2026.
While it launched two prototype Kuiper satellites in October 2023 to test its technology, Monday’s launch marked the start of full-scale deployment.
However, Starlink is far ahead, with over 7,000 active satellites, 4.6M customers around the world, and access to SpaceX rockets for rapid launches.
Why it matters: While Starlink dominates the market today, Amazon’s Project Kuiper is positioned as a potentially more affordable and cloud-integrated alternative, especially for enterprise and telecom use cases. However, the coming years will determine whether Amazon can close the gap and become its true space internet rival.
IBM
Image source: IBM
The Rundown: IBM announced a landmark $150B investment in the U.S. over the next five years, aiming to bolster the nation’s leadership in quantum computing and AI — and marking one of the largest tech investments in U.S. history.
The details:
More than $30B of the planned investment is earmarked for R&D, with a focus on advancing the manufacturing of mainframe and quantum computers.
IBM’s mainframes process over 70% of the world’s transactions by value, making them a critical backbone for both the U.S. and global economies
The company already runs the largest fleet of quantum computers and now plans to expand it further, reinforcing America’s lead in quantum computing.
Notably, the pledge aligns with tariffs and incentives introduced under the Trump administration to encourage tech companies to expand U.S. production.
Why it matters: IBM’s commitment follows huge investments from Nvidia and Apple, as tech companies respond to both economic and geopolitical pressures. While the move is going to stimulate growth, analysts say such large-scale cash infusions are more about currying political favor amid fierce trade tensions.
BIOTECH INNOVATIONS
Image source: Craif
The Rundown: Japanese biotech startup Craif, developers of an at-home urine-based microRNA test to detect early-stage cancers, just raised $22M to expand into the U.S. and further advance its research.
The details:
The company’s flagship product, miSignal, can detect the risk of seven cancers by measuring miRNA biomarkers, secreted by early-stage tumor cells.
Craif, which spun out from Nagoya University, has an at-home urine test commercially available in Japan, with a targeted $15M in revenue this year.
The tech uses a nanowire device to extract 99% of exosomes from urine and employs advanced machine learning algorithms to spot subtle patterns.
Craif is also developing its tech for early detection of neurodegenerative disorders and aims to broaden tests to include 10 cancer types this year.
Why it matters: While biotech companies such as Grail, Freenome, and Clearnote Health are developing platforms for early cancer detection, most rely on cell-free DNA, using blood samples. Craif’s technology enables painless, accessible cancer screening at home, making early detection that much easier.
DOORDASH
Image source: Deliveroo
The Rundown: Deliveroo, the London-based food delivery company, just received a $3.6B buyout proposal from U.S. rival DoorDash, a deal that drove Deliveroo’s shares to their highest level in three years.
The details:
DoorDash has proposed to acquire Deliveroo for 180 pence per share—a 22.8% premium over Deliveroo’s closing price before the bid was announced.
DoorDash has to decide by May 23 whether it wants to make a formal, binding offer or withdraw its interest, as required under the UK Takeover Code.
Since the announcement, Deliveroo’s share price has surged over 16%, reaching its highest level in three years.
However, Deliveroo’s shares have fallen nearly 50% since its 2021 IPO due to a post-pandemic slowdown in food delivery demand.
Why it matters: DoorDash, which currently operates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, would gain access to 10 new markets through the deal, strengthening its global presence. Deliveroo already works with thousands of restaurants and grocery retailers, including major European chains.
QUICK HITS
📰 Everything else in tech today
Spotify spent over $100M on global podcast publishers and creators in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first time the company has shared such figures.
Apple will reportedly manufacture almost all of its iPhones sold in the U.S. in India — moving production out of China — by the end of 2026.
Duolingo’s CEO announced that the company will start phasing out human contractors and become an AI-first company.
Instagram Edits, Meta’s new video creation app, has been downloaded 702,900 times on iOS devices in its first two days, outperforming CapCut’s debut.
Google announced that, starting October 25, it will stop providing software updates for the early generations of its Nest thermostats.
EV startup Slate Auto is reportedly eyeing a former printing plant in Indiana as the future manufacturing site for its low-cost electric pickup truck.
Uber informed its employees that the company now requires staff to come into the office at least three days a week, CNBC reports.
Japanese zipper manufacturer YKK is testing a prototype motorized zipper that zips itself, no hands needed.
Yelp announced that it plans to deploy AI-powered “voice agents” to help restaurants handle calls, answer questions, and add customers to waitlists.
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Rowan, Jennifer, and Joey—The Rundown’s editorial team
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