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Code.org Founder Hadi Partovi Becomes CEO of Payam Music to Expand Innovative Piano School with Investor Backing
Hadi Partovi, founder of Code.org, is now CEO of Payam Music, a piano school using the Payam Method to teach via letters and numbers before traditional notation. Supported by high-profile investors, he plans to expand the school nationally.
Code.org Lays Off 18 Employees, Cuts Staff to 107 to Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
Seattle-based Code.org laid off 18 employees, reducing its staff to 107, to ensure long-term sustainability. The nonprofit, founded by Hadi and Ali Partovi, continues its mission to expand computer science education globally despite these cuts.
Seattle Trucking Marketplace Convoy Pauses Shipments and Considers Sale Amid Market Recession
Seattle-based trucking startup Convoy has paused shipments and is reportedly winding down operations amid a freight market recession and financial struggles, with layoffs and potential sale talks ongoing. The company, valued at $3.8 billion last year, faces stiff competition and market headwinds, and plans to share more details on its transition later this week.
Microsoft, OpenAI, and startups, with Neo CEO Ali Partovi
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we're joined by Ali Partovi, a technology investor, entrepreneur, and mentor who is the CEO of Neo, a startup accelerator, mentorship community, and venture firm. Neo's accelerator this week announced a new AI track, working in collaboration with OpenAI and Microsoft to help startups build businesses on newly emerging artificial intelligence capabilities. Partovi, who grew up in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, sold his startup LinkExchange to Microsoft in 1998, was an early investor in companies including Airbnb, Dropbox, Facebook, and Uber, and 10 years ago co-founded Code.org with his twin brother Hadi Partovi…
Seattle Trucking Startup Convoy Lays Off Staff for Third Time and Closes Atlanta Office Amid Automation Shift
Seattle trucking startup Convoy conducted its third round of layoffs within a year and announced the closure of its Atlanta office as part of a shift to automate customer service and improve efficiency. Despite previously raising $260 million at a $3.8 billion valuation and employing over 1,000 people, the company is reducing staff to speed its path to profitability amid broader industry challenges.
Clearbrief raises $3.5M seed to scale AI that flags misrepresentations in litigation briefs
Clearbrief, a Seattle startup, raised a $3.5 million seed round led by Reign Ventures to expand its AI-powered tool that uses NLP to flag unsupported or misrepresented statements in litigation documents and surface underlying evidence. CEO Jacqueline Schafer says the software helps lawyers and judges quickly verify claims, improve strategy, and increase access to legal materials as courts move online and adopt new filing rules.
Pandemic Accelerates Adoption of Enterprise Software in Seattle, Boosting Cloud and Cybersecurity Startups
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating adoption of enterprise software in the Seattle and Pacific Northwest tech scene, highlighting startups in cloud computing and cybersecurity that dominate the GeekWire 200. Analysts say enterprise cloud firms appear relatively resilient to recessionary pressures compared with consumer-facing startups, though risks remain if businesses cut spending.
Uber Freight raises $500M led by Greenbriar, valuing the unit at $3.3B
Uber Freight raised $500 million in a funding round led by Greenbriar that values the trucking logistics unit at $3.3 billion, and the business reported $211 million in adjusted net revenue for Uber’s most recent quarter with a $49 million quarterly loss. The unit operates a digital freight marketplace with about 65,000 carriers and competes with startups like Convoy, which recently raised $400 million at a $2.7 billion valuation.
Former Expedia CEO Mark Okerstrom named president and COO of Convoy as startup tops 1,000 employees
Former Expedia CEO Mark Okerstrom joins Seattle digital freight startup Convoy as president and COO to oversee finance, operations, marketing and marketplace growth as the company surpasses 1,000 employees and a $2.7B valuation.
Seattle tech CFO survey: 37 respondents say three-quarters expect full COVID-19 recovery; nearly half raise 2020 spending forecasts
A survey of 37 Seattle-based tech CFOs finds the local tech industry remains resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, with three-quarters expecting full recovery and nearly half raising 2020 spending forecasts versus early March. Many CFOs report higher Q2 bookings expectations and over 40% say their companies are increasing headcount despite widespread industry layoffs elsewhere.
People
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Ali Partovi Founder, Co-Founder
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Hadi Partovi Founder, Founder, Chairman
