Gates Foundation
Facts
- HQ
- Washington, D.C.
- Sectors
- Philanthropy, Global health, International development, Non-profit
- Founded
- 2000
- Employees
- 500
Lumen Bioscience raises $16M Series B to scale Spirulina platform for orally delivered antibodies; total funding $68M
Lumen Bioscience raised $16 million in a Series B to advance its Spirulina-based platform that produces orally delivered antibodies and biologics for GI diseases, claiming dramatically lower costs and three clinical programs. The Seattle startup, co‑founded in 2017 by CEO Brian Finrow and CSO Jim Roberts, has partnerships with the Gates Foundation, NIH and others and has raised $68 million to date.
Gates Foundation Awards $800,000 to A-Alpha Bio to Fund AlphaSeq Antibody Research Targeting SARS-CoV-2 and Intestinal Pathogens
Seattle biotech A-Alpha Bio received an $800,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support research using its AlphaSeq platform to develop multi-target antibody treatments for respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and intestinal pathogens such as campylobacter, in partnership with Lumen Bioscience.
Phase Genomics CEO Ivan Liachko shifts company to R&D focus after pandemic hits revenue; one furlough, no layoffs
Phase Genomics, a five-year-old University of Washington spinoff led by CEO Ivan Liachko, shifted to skeleton lab crews and remote work during the pandemic, cutting revenue and furloughing one employee while focusing R&D inward to adapt and continue innovating. The company is adjusting its genomics technology amid Seattle's biotech disruption and exploring ways to help with COVID-19 research.
A-Alpha Bio wins $620,472 NSF Phase II SBIR to develop molecular-glue discovery system
Seattle startup A-Alpha Bio received a $620,472 NSF Phase II SBIR grant to develop a system that identifies molecular glues which tag disease-causing proteins for cellular degradation, aiming to target previously 'undruggable' proteins for diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Tech hiring in the age of COVID-19; Surface Earbuds; Gates Foundation CEO
COVID-19 has upended the tech startup hiring market: There used to be more jobs than talent, but the situation has flipped in the face of business challenges from COVID-19. Tech giants and startups who are hiring now find they can pick from the cream of the crop. We've been looking into who's hiring, and what it's like to hire and onboard new employees remotely. Plus, how Silicon Valley's cutbacks could impact the Seattle tech market. They’re almost here! The much-anticipated Microsoft Surface Earbuds have a release date. Were they worth the wait? Someone on our podcast is hoping the $199…
NextStep raises $3.6M to scale mobile training and job-placement for displaced workers into healthcare roles
Seattle startup NextStep raised $3.6 million to expand its mobile training and job-placement platform that recruits and trains displaced, low-wage workers for in-demand healthcare roles like CNAs and home health aides.
Foursquare and Factual merge under Foursquare brand with David Shim named CEO; Sue Desmond-Hellmann joins Pfizer board
Foursquare and Factual are merging under the Foursquare brand with Placed founder David Shim as CEO; Sue Desmond-Hellmann joined Pfizer’s board after leaving the Gates Foundation, and other executive moves include Microsoft hiring Rubén Caballero and leadership change at Egencia.
Guide for Startup Founders: COVID-19 Health Guidance, $1T Global Economic Risk, and Relief Measures from Governments and Tech Leaders
This article compiles guidance and curated resources for startup founders and small business owners navigating the COVID-19 crisis, covering health advice from WHO/CDC, economic warnings like the UN's $1 trillion hit estimate, and policy responses from governments and private-sector advisors such as Sequoia Capital and Founder Institute. It highlights industry impacts (e.g., food service, events, hospitality) and directs entrepreneurs to government, NGO, and corporate relief measures and recommendations.
Seattle’s A-Alpha Bio Raises $2.8M Seed Round to Advance AlphaSeq Drug Discovery Platform
Seattle startup A-Alpha Bio raised $2.8 million in seed funding to advance its genetically engineered protein analysis platform, AlphaSeq, which accelerates drug candidate evaluation by sorting millions of protein interactions. The round was led by OS Fund and included investors such as Madrona Venture Group and AME Cloud Ventures.
Google's Nest bids on digital health
Last year, Google secretly acquired a digital health startup spun out of the University of Washington. After requesting documents related to the acquisition, GeekWire learned there's actually a surprising twist to the story, all to do with smart home device maker Nest. Plus, we discuss Jeff Bezos' plan to give away $2 billion to tackle homelessness and early childhood education and we take a look at the upcoming GeekWire Summit, our biggest event of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People
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Bill Gates Founder, Co-founder and Co-chair
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Melinda French Gates Founder, Co-founder and Co-chair, Former Co-chair
