Amazon
Facts
- HQ
- SEATTLE
- Sectors
- E-commerce, Cloud computing, Aerospace/Satellites, Media/Streaming, Advertising, Consumer devices
- Founded
- 1994
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Employees
- 1600000
- Registered name
- Amazon.Com Inc Seattle business license
- Stage
- Public
Stepchange Raises $7M for Climate-Focused Venture Fund Targeting Software Startups in Transportation, Energy, and Resilience
Seattle-based venture firm Stepchange raised $7 million for its inaugural fund to invest in climate-focused startups targeting sectors like transportation, energy, and resilience with asset-light, cost-competitive software solutions. Founded by Anay Shah and Ben Eidelson, the fund has already backed 13 startups and plans 30 investments, supported by over 100 investors including Bain Capital Ventures and tech leaders from major companies.
Seattle Startup Loti Secures $16.2M Series A to Combat Deepfakes and Protect Digital Likeness
Seattle startup Loti raised $16.2 million in a Series A round led by Khosla Ventures to protect celebrities and consumers from deepfakes using advanced facial and voice recognition technology. Loti helps clients monitor and manage digital likeness misuse, including fake endorsements and AI-generated content, with partnerships including major talent agencies and support from emerging legislation like the No Fakes Act.
Seattle Startups Elora, Evvi Aftercare, and Realtie Advance AI, Pet Cremation, and Real Estate Solutions
Five Seattle-area startups are emerging in diverse sectors including caregiving AI, pet cremation services, real estate redevelopment, AI for consumer brands, and kid-focused smartphones. Notable companies include Elora, Evvi Aftercare, and Realtie, each progressing with pilots, partnerships, or funding rounds.
Convoy Co-Founder Grant Goodale Joins Ryder as Chief Product and Technology Officer
Grant Goodale, co-founder and former CTO of Convoy, has joined Ryder as chief product and technology officer, marking his return to the trucking industry. Additionally, Seattle startups Shipium and Graham & Walker announced key leadership hires with Geoff Tamman named CFO and Ryan Hughes as chief of staff, respectively.
Seattle Startup FlavorCloud Gains Demand from Trump’s Tariff Changes and New China Import Rules
Seattle startup FlavorCloud, led by CEO Rathna Sharad, is benefiting from increased demand as companies navigate new complexities from President Trump's recent tariff changes, including the elimination of the $800 'de minimis' exemption on imports from China effective May 2. FlavorCloud specializes in cross-border shipping and compliance, helping e-commerce brands manage duties and taxes amid unprecedented global trade shifts.
Gennev Founder Jill Angelo Steps Down After Acquisition; Aurion Biotech CEO Replaced Following Alcon Majority Stake; Temporal Adds New Leadership
Jill Angelo, founder and CEO of menopause startup Gennev, stepped down following its acquisition by Unified Women’s Healthcare, while Aurion Biotech replaced CEO Greg Kunst with Arnaud Lacoste after Alcon acquired a majority stake. Temporal also announced leadership additions with Jim Cyb as president and Sahir Azam as an independent board member.
Washington’s Proposed 5% Payroll Tax on Large Employers Draws Tech Industry Backlash Amid $16B Budget Shortfall
Washington state Democrats propose a 5% statewide payroll tax on wages exceeding $176,100 for companies with payrolls over $7 million to address a $16 billion budget gap, drawing criticism from CEOs and tech leaders including Microsoft President Brad Smith who warn it could harm the tech sector and drive businesses away.
Portal Space Systems Raises $17.5M to Develop Solar Thermal Propulsion Spacecraft with 2026 Launch
Portal Space Systems raised $17.5 million in seed funding led by AlleyCorp to develop its Supernova spacecraft, which uses solar thermal propulsion for rapid orbital maneuvers. The company plans to demonstrate the technology with a launch scheduled for mid-2026.
Seattle AI Startup heyLibby, Co-Founded by Spencer Rascoff, Raises $4.5M to Automate Customer Service for Gyms and Salons
Seattle-based AI startup heyLibby, now renamed Replify, raised $4.5 million in seed funding to help health and wellness businesses like gyms and tanning salons automate customer communications. Founded by Tony Small, Anna Rodriguez, and Spencer Rascoff, the company currently serves U.S. clients with plans for international expansion.
Agility Robotics Seeks $400 Million Funding at $1.75 Billion Valuation to Advance Digit Warehouse Robots
Agility Robotics is reportedly raising $400 million at a $1.75 billion valuation to fund its Digit humanoid warehouse robots, with lead investor WP Global and participation from SoftBank. The company recently announced new improvements to Digit's capabilities and continues pilot testing with Amazon, a previous investor.
Former Amazon Leader and Army Veteran Stephiney Foley Launches Maternal-Care Startup Yuzi in September 2023
Stephiney Foley, a U.S. Army veteran and former Amazon product leader, has leveraged her military and corporate experience to launch Yuzi, a maternal-care startup focused on post-natal support for new mothers. Her leadership journey, shaped by her time at West Point and service in the Army, informs her approach to entrepreneurship.
Tiger Global Leads $146M Funding Round for Temporal, Raising Valuation to $1.72B
Temporal, a Seattle startup that offers an open-source microservices orchestration platform, raised $146 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global, boosting its valuation to $1.72 billion. The company serves major clients like Snap and Netflix, with a reported 4.4X revenue growth in 18 months.
Seattle Startup Summit Highlights City's AI Strengths and Need for More Entrepreneurial Energy
At the inaugural Seattle Startup Summit, leaders like Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji and Acquired podcast co-host Ben Gilbert highlighted Seattle's strong AI ecosystem, anchored by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, and specialization in biotech and disease research. Despite this, they noted the city could benefit from cultivating a more vibrant entrepreneurial culture to maximize its potential in AI innovation.
TerraPower Plans to Deploy First Next-Gen Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming by 2030, With 10-12 More Plants Planned
TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates and receiving $2 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy, is on track to deploy its first next-generation small modular nuclear reactor in Wyoming by 2030 and plans to have 10 to 12 additional plants under construction by then. The company is ahead of schedule on permitting and benefits from bipartisan political support and international competitiveness in nuclear technology.
Seattle Startup Workflow Labs Raises $1M to Expand Automated Platform Serving 500 Amazon Sellers
Seattle startup Workflow Labs raised $1 million to expand its automated platform that helps Amazon sellers manage catalogs and operations, having raised $3.2 million since its 2022 founding. The platform automates 84% of tasks for about 500 brands and aims to nearly quadruple clients by year-end.
Madrona Venture Group Marks 30 Years with $770M Raised for New Funds, Continuing Strong Seattle Investments
Madrona Venture Group, a Seattle-based venture capital firm celebrating its 30th anniversary, has invested in major startups like Amazon and recently raised $770 million for two new funds to support about 40 investments. While expanding beyond the Pacific Northwest with a Palo Alto office, Madrona continues to focus most of its investments locally.
Madrona Ventures Backs AI-Powered E-Commerce Startup Spangle Led by Ex-Bolt CEO Maju Kuruvilla
Spangle, a new AI-driven e-commerce startup led by former Bolt CEO and Amazon VP Maju Kuruvilla, has emerged from stealth with seed funding from Madrona and Streamlined Ventures. The company aims to revolutionize online shopping personalization by bridging hyper-targeted marketing and broad customer experiences.
Flexport Sues Freightmate Founders for Trade Secret Theft to Launch Seattle Startup
Logistics company Flexport has filed a federal lawsuit against Freightmate and its founders, alleging theft of thousands of confidential files and trade secrets to launch a competing startup in Seattle. Flexport accuses Freightmate's CEO Bryan Lacaillade and CTO Jason Zhao of secretly conspiring while employed at Flexport, resulting in claims for monetary damages, injunctive relief, and destruction of stolen materials.
Rad Power Bikes Names Kathi Lentzsch, Former Bartell Drugs CEO, as New CEO Amid Strategic Retail Shift
Seattle-based e-bike company Rad Power Bikes appointed Kathi Lentzsch, former CEO of Bartell Drugs, as its new CEO amid a strategic shift to retail-focused operations and recent layoffs. Lentzsch replaces Phil Molyneux, who led the company for over two years during a period marked by lawsuits and recalls.
University of Washington Students Pitch AI and Tech Startups After 10-Week Entrepreneurship Course Led by Greg Gottesman
The University of Washington offers a popular 10-week entrepreneurship class led by venture capitalist Greg Gottesman, culminating in student pitches of tech startups at Pioneer Square Labs. The course attracted strong demand, featured high-profile guest speakers like Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and highlighted trends such as AI and computer vision.
Seattle Startup Rhodium Raises $2 Million to Revolutionize Marketing for Medical Spas and Beauty Brands with AI
Seattle startup Rhodium, founded by former Petabyte executives, has raised $2 million to provide AI-driven marketing software for medical spas and beauty brands. The company combines machine learning with merged direct-to-consumer brands to enhance customer engagement and revenue.
Oleria Launches AI-Powered 'Copilot' to Manage Employee Access After $33.1M Series A Funding
Seattle-based security startup Oleria launched 'Oleria Copilot,' a conversational AI assistant that answers user queries about employee access and security. Founded in 2023, Oleria raised $33.1 million in Series A funding and serves clients like Vimeo and Aireon.
Exia Labs Raises $2.5M to Develop AI Copilot ‘Blue’ for U.S. Military, Launches Political Game 'Mr. President'
Exia Labs, co-founded by veteran Jonathan Pan, raised $2.5 million to develop Blue, an AI-powered copilot for military operations that automates the U.S. Army's decision-making process and is currently being tested by military units. The startup also plans to launch the political simulation game 'Mr. President' in July to generate revenue and support its defense-focused AI development.
Nautilus Biotechnology Lays Off 16% of Staff, Postpones Proteome Platform Launch to Late 2026
Nautilus Biotechnology laid off 16% of its workforce to extend its cash runway into 2027 and delayed the commercial release of its proteome analysis platform until late 2026. The company aims to control operating expenses and maximize its impact on biological science, focusing on proteomics to advance drug development.
Seattle Startup Portola Raises $10M to Launch Tolan, Animated AI Companions with 500K Downloads by Late 2024
Portola, a Seattle-based startup led by CEO Quinten Farmer, launched Tolan, an animated AI companion app that has already gained 500,000 iOS downloads since its late 2024 soft launch. Backed by $10 million in seed funding from prominent tech investors, Tolan aims to provide thoughtful conversational companionship beyond typical AI voice assistants.
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Jamie Siminoff Executive, Vice President
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Steve Rabuchin Executive, Vice President of Project Kuiper (Amazon Leo)
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Ben Wild Co-founder of Hubble Network, Former Amazon Product Lead
