Foundations
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle, Washington, USA
- Sectors
- Coworking, Events, Startup community
- Founded
- 2025
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Registered name
- Startup Foundations Inc Seattle business license
Community
Bridging the Community Gap for the Best Technical Founders Between Seattle & SF
- Workspace
- Online forum
- Events
- Membership program
- Mixed
- Apply to join
Workspaces
- 1605 Boylston Ave, Seattle
- 142 Minna St, San Francisco
Neuramill founders Nistha Mitra and Nick Khormaei build software to capture retiring machinists' know‑how; win six‑figure defense contract
Neuramill, founded last year by Seattle-born engineers Nistha Mitra and Nick Khormaei, is building software that captures veteran machinists' tacit knowledge to generate manufacturing plans for aerospace and defense shops. The startup has early traction including a six-figure contract with an unnamed prime defense contractor and pilot users such as Diamond Machine Works, VTN Manufacturing and Astranis.
Remitly co-founder Matt Oppenheimer inducted into Dartmouth Entrepreneur Hall of Fame after stepping down as CEO
Remitly co-founder and chairman Matt Oppenheimer was inducted into Dartmouth College’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame after stepping down as CEO seven months earlier, honored for making lasting positive impacts through his ventures. He credited Dartmouth’s social psychology teachings for shaping his people-focused approach to business and thanked admissions officers who gave him a chance despite “OK grades.”
Lev names startup veteran Jay Bartot as CTO to build its ‘AI co-founder’ and productize PSL playbook
Lev, a Pioneer Square Labs spinout building an 'AI co-founder' for entrepreneurs, named veteran startup builder Jay Bartot as CTO to help productize the venture-studio playbook and launched Lev Learn, a free guide to startup terminology.
Seattle Startup Certiv Raises $4.2M to Secure AI Agents on Employee Devices, Led by Jason Needham
Seattle startup Certiv secured $4.2 million in funding to develop security software that monitors and controls AI agents on employee computers, led by CEO Jason Needham. Founded in June 2025, Certiv's technology enforces company policies to prevent unauthorized actions by AI agents and has already begun enterprise pilot deployments.
Seattle Startup Accelerator Foundations Expands to San Francisco with New 5,000-Sq-Ft Location in Q2 2024
Seattle-based startup accelerator Foundations is opening a new 5,000-square-foot location in San Francisco to support founders who split time between the two tech hubs, responding to shifting market dynamics and growing startup momentum in the Bay Area. The expansion aims to bridge Seattle and San Francisco communities without abandoning Seattle, enabling members to access both spaces starting in Q2 2024.
Startup Founders Nour Gajial and Avi Agola Relocate from Seattle to San Francisco to Boost AI Ventures
Several early-stage startup founders, including Nour Gajial of MathGPT and Avi Agola of Talunt, are relocating from Seattle to San Francisco to leverage its dense AI startup ecosystem, investor networks, and customer base amid the AI boom. Despite Seattle’s strengths as a global AI hub, entrepreneurs see San Francisco as essential for scaling and maximizing success.
Seattle Startup Leaders Oppose Washington's SB 6229, HB 2292 Expanding Capital Gains Tax on Small Business Stock
Seattle startup leaders, including Clearly AI CEO Emily Choi-Greene, oppose Washington State's proposed bills SB 6229 and HB 2292 that would expand the capital gains tax to include profits from qualified small business stock, threatening the viability of startups by taxing founders, early employees, and investors on significant gains. Critics warn this could drive founders and investors to build companies outside Washington, undermining the local tech ecosystem.
Seattle's Founders' Co-op Raises $50M Sixth Fund to Back Early-Stage Pacific Northwest Tech Startups
Seattle venture firm Founders' Co-op has raised a $50 million sixth fund, focusing on early-stage Pacific Northwest tech startups with initial investments of $1 million to $1.5 million. Founded in 2008, the firm has backed billion-dollar companies like Remitly, Outreach, and Auth0 and aims to invest in about 30 new companies without targeting specific verticals.
Founders’ Co-op announces $50M Fund VI to continue first-check investments in regional technical founders
Founders’ Co-op announced a new $50 million venture fund, Founders’ Co-op VI, managed by the same two partners, focused on early first-check investments in ambitious technical founders within their regional talent network rather than positioning as an AI-specific or larger fund.
Seattle’s AI2 Incubator Closes $80M Third Fund to Back 70 New AI Startups Over Four Years
AI2 Incubator, a Seattle-based startup incubator focused on AI and real-world applications, has closed an $80 million third fund to support about 70 new ventures over the next four years. The incubator has a successful track record with nearly 25% of its 50+ alumni acquired and 90% securing venture funding.
Remitly Co-founder Shivaas Gulati Launches Arkero AI to Leverage Artificial Intelligence in Sports and Live Events in Seattle
Shivaas Gulati, co-founder of Remitly, is launching Arkero AI in Seattle to help sports and live event organizations leverage artificial intelligence. Drawing from his experience with Southend United and Seattle Sounders FC, he aims to create business value with AI in these industries.
Nuance Labs, Founded by Ex-Apple PhDs, Raises $10M to Build Emotional AI Model, Chooses Seattle Over San Francisco
Nuance Labs, founded by ex-Apple PhDs Fangchang Ma and Edward Zhang, raised $10 million led by Accel to develop an AI model that understands and expresses emotion, choosing Seattle as their base over San Francisco. The startup aims to create more realistic AI and has attracted local talent enthusiastic about their mission.
Nikesh Parekh Advises Microsoft and Amazon Execs on Engaging with Seattle Startups as Advisors, Board Members, and Investors
Nikesh Parekh shares a guide for Microsoft and Amazon employees on engaging with the Seattle startup ecosystem through roles like advisors or board members and by strategic investing, highlighting common practices and compensation details.
MediScan AI Raises $1.4M to Accelerate AI-Powered Medical Record Evaluation for Professionals
MediScan AI, a Seattle startup founded in 2024 by Kavian Mojabe and Sean Podvent, raised $1.4 million to develop its AI platform that helps medical professionals efficiently evaluate patient records. The platform enhances case throughput and supports medical evaluators by generating summaries, organizing records, and enabling team collaboration.
Suplari Founder Departs Microsoft After Four Years to Launch New AI-First Ventures
After four years at Microsoft following its acquisition of Suplari, Inc., the author expresses gratitude and excitement as they leave to start new AI-focused ventures. Their experience includes contributing to AI and generative technologies like Microsoft Copilot and witnessing the rise of ChatGPT, inspiring their next phase in the startup ecosystem.
Seattle Founders Highlight Startup Culture Contrasts with San Francisco After AI Engineer World's Fair Visit
Seattle startup founders visiting the AI Engineer World’s Fair in San Francisco noted key cultural differences: San Francisco's dense, high-energy ecosystem fosters more risk-taking and idea exchange, while Seattle offers a calmer environment with strong technical talent but less sales and marketing expertise.
Seattle Startup Community Foundations Doubles Capitol Hill Space, Plans Bellevue Expansion to Support Growing Members
Seattle startup community Foundations, founded by Aviel Ginzburg, is doubling its Capitol Hill office space and planning an expansion in Bellevue to support its 236 members, including 55 founders-in-residence. The community offers a no-equity, no-fee environment that helps startups grow together, with recent graduates choosing to remain engaged as the program evolves.
Innovation in Turbulent Times: Voices from the GeekWire Awards
Recorded live at the 2025 GeekWire Awards in Seattle, this episode features industry leaders navigating a shifting tech and political landscape. Amid celebrations of AI breakthroughs, startup milestones, and community-building, guests discuss deeper concerns: capital flight, regulatory headwinds, and what the region needs to retain its innovation edge. Featured on the show: Ambika Singh, founder and CEO of Armoire (Workplace of the Year winner) Joseph Williams, Washington State Department of Commerce (Public Policy Champion for Innovation) Emer Dooley, Creative Destruction Lab, University of Washington (Geeks Give Back honoree) Laura Ruderman, CEO of the Technology Alliance Aviel Ginzburg, co-founder at Foundations…
GeekWire Honors Aviel Ginzburg, Chaitra Vedullapalli, and Emer Dooley for Building Seattle’s Tech Community at 2025 Awards
The 2025 GeekWire Awards honored Aviel Ginzburg, Chaitra Vedullapalli, and Emer Dooley for their efforts in strengthening Seattle's tech community through inclusive initiatives and startup support. The awards ceremony recognizing nearly 50 finalists will take place on April 30, 2025, in Seattle.
VCs Urge Startups to Focus Long-Term Despite $3 Trillion Market Loss from Trump’s Tariff Announcement
Venture capitalists advise startups to maintain a long-term focus despite uncertainty caused by President Trump’s new tariffs, which triggered a $3 trillion market value loss. While tariffs pose short-term challenges for hardware and manufacturing startups, many emphasize resilience and product-centric growth strategies.
Seattle Opens AI House and Foundations Startup Hubs Amid Growing AI Ecosystem
Seattle launched two new startup hubs, AI House and Foundations, to support its growing AI ecosystem, hosting events with notable figures like venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and Mayor Bruce Harrell. These hubs aim to foster collaboration and growth within Seattle's burgeoning AI startup community.
Seattle Opens 108,000-Square-Foot 'AI House' at Pier 70 to Support AI Startups and Talent Growth
Seattle launched 'AI House,' a 108,000-square-foot AI startup hub at Pier 70, aiming to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. The facility hosts around 20 startups and offers space for 1,000 desks, co-working, and events to attract and grow AI talent in the region.
From Angel to Grown-Up Ventures with Peter Mueller, Breakwater Ventures
In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker interviews Peter Muller, founding partner of Breakwater Ventures, to explore his unique journey from Merrill Lynch to the launch of his venture capital firm in Seattle. They discuss Peter's career transitions, the Seattle startup ecosystem, and dive into key areas of interest like AI, fintech, and marketplaces. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities in Seattle's venture capital scene, the firm's investment philosophy, and promising sectors. Peter also shares insights into raising capital in a tough environment and the necessary characteristics of successful founders. 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Meet Peter Mueller 05:59…
Seattle Startups Actual AI, CopyCat, and Esterre Launch Innovative Tech Solutions for Real Estate, Mental Health, and Performance Reviews
Seattle startups Actual AI, CopyCat, and Esterre are innovating in areas like automated performance reviews, browser task automation, and flexible vacation home ownership. These companies are gaining traction with pilot programs, accelerator support, and new business models to serve therapists, real estate, and other industries.
Seattle's Foundations Launches Founder-in-Residence Program Without Equity Requirement for Early-Stage Startups
Seattle-based startup community Foundations has launched a new Founder-in-Residence program designed to support early-stage founders without requiring equity. The program offers mentorship, accepts companies at various development stages, and operates on a rolling basis with a typical six-month participation.
People
See all 6-
Art Litvinau Founder, Co-founder
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Aviel Ginzburg Founder, Co-founder
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Matt Shobe Founder, Co-founder and Board Member
