GeekWire
GeekWire provides technology news, analysis, and resources for tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts. It covers developments in the technology industry, produces events and podcasts, and offers tools such as job boards and startup rankings to support the tech community. Its mission is to inform and connect people interested in technology and startups.
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Online Audio and Video Media
- Founded
- 2011
- Type
- LLC Seattle business license
- Employees
- 26
- Registered name
- GeekWire LLC Seattle business license
- Founders
- John Cook, Todd Bishop
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Publication
- Last published Oct 15
Authors & Editors
Pioneer Square Labs' Greg Gottesman Forecasts Generative AI Will Transform Venture Capital Operations by 2033
Greg Gottesman of Pioneer Square Labs predicts venture capital will fundamentally change in the next 5-10 years, increasingly leveraging generative AI to provide startups with more than just funding, including operational and coding support. Sheila Gulati of Tola Capital adds that early-stage investing is becoming more democratized, with a broader investor pool amid the recent AI-driven revival in venture capital.
Former SeaChange Investors Launch VentureUs Angel Group to Back Early-Stage Pacific Northwest Startups
A group of former SeaChange investors in Seattle have launched VentureUs, an angel investing group focusing on pre-seed and seed startups in the Pacific Northwest. VentureUs streamlines decision-making through an investment board and plans to invest $100,000 to $400,000 in 6-10 startups annually.
Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Isotopes Begins Commercial Production of Cancer-Treating Actinium-225 from Cold War Weapons Waste
TerraPower Isotopes, backed by Bill Gates, became the first commercial-scale producer of actinium-225, a rare radioactive isotope used for precise cancer therapy, sourced from Cold War weapons waste. The company operates its facility in Everett, Washington, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to recover thorium-229 for medical use.
Seattle Startup Augmodo Raises $5.3M Seed Round to Improve Retail Inventory Tracking with Wearable Smartbadges
Augmodo, a Seattle startup, raised $5.3 million in seed funding led by Lerer Hippeau to enhance retail inventory management using wearable Smartbadges and advanced technologies. Their system collects real-time shelf data to reduce costly out-of-stock and overstock issues in stores.
Seattle Dementia Care Startup Rippl Raises $23M to Expand Virtual Services to California, Florida, and Arizona
Seattle-based dementia care startup Rippl raised $23 million to expand its virtual healthcare services into California, Florida, and Arizona, growing beyond its current states of Washington, Texas, Illinois, and Missouri. Founded in 2021, Rippl has raised a total of $55 million and partners with the Alzheimer's Association to provide accessible, non-hospital dementia care.
Flexe Names Pirasenna Thiyagarajan CTO; Talus Bioscience Appoints Gaelle Mercenne Amid $11.2M Funding; Vouched Adds David McGrath as Sales VP
Flexe appointed Pirasenna Thiyagarajan as chief technology and product officer following CTO David Glick's departure. Talus Bioscience hired Gaelle Mercenne as head of biology after securing $11.2 million in funding, while Vouched named David McGrath as vice president of sales amid leadership changes.
Thinkie Launches $250 Brain-Training Wearable Headband with fNIRS Tech and $15/Month App Subscription
Seattle startup Thinkie launched a $250 wearable headband using fNIRS technology to train and monitor brain activity via games, supported by a $15/month app subscription. Initially targeting seniors, they are now expanding to consumers and joined AARP’s AgeTech accelerator.
Seattle Deepfake Detection Startup Loti Raises $6.65M Seed Round with Khosla Ventures and Others
Seattle-based startup Loti, founded in 2022, raised a total of $6.65 million in its seed round led by FUSE and Bling Capital, including new investment from Khosla Ventures. Loti leverages facial and voice recognition to detect and take down deepfakes and fake social media accounts misusing public figures' likenesses.
Voyager Capital’s James Newell Calls for More Risk-Taking Angel Investors in Seattle Startup Ecosystem
James Newell of Voyager Capital highlights Seattle's need for more angel investors willing to make riskier startup bets and write 'low-conviction' checks, a practice common in Silicon Valley but less so in Seattle's culture. He notes the lack of experienced angel investors and the region's understated approach to investing as barriers to a more vibrant startup ecosystem.
Starfish Space Raises Nearly $21M to Advance Otter Spacecraft for Satellite Servicing Contracts with U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA
Starfish Space has raised nearly $21 million in a new funding round as it prepares its Otter spacecraft for satellite inspection and servicing missions, including contracts with the U.S. Space Force, Intelsat, and NASA. The company plans to begin on-orbit life extension and inspection missions starting in 2026 and 2027.
Aviel Ginzburg and Team Launch Foundations to Foster Seattle’s Startup Community with In-Person Support Network
Foundations, a new startup community group led by Aviel Ginzburg and others in Seattle, aims to create a supportive 'serendipity factory' for early-stage founders by fostering in-person connections among entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. The group hosted a launch party in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood to build a vibrant local tech startup ecosystem.
Symbl Names Former GE Healthcare CTO Selvan Senthivel as CTO; Nautilus Biotechnology Hires Ken Suzuki as CMO
Symbl, a Seattle-based generative AI startup, appointed Selvan Senthivel, former GE HealthCare CTO, as its new CTO, while Nautilus Biotechnology named Ken Suzuki as its CMO. Additionally, William Canestaro stepped down from the Washington Research Foundation, and Milkana Brace joined the Technology Alliance board.
Starfish Space Wins $15 Million NASA Contract for 2027 Satellite Inspection Mission
Starfish Space has been awarded a $15 million NASA contract for a three-year mission using its Otter spacecraft to inspect defunct satellites in orbit starting in 2027. This mission aims to advance satellite servicing and orbital debris mitigation as part of NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy.
Nvidia Acquires Seattle AI Startup OctoAI for Over $250 Million, Ending Its Service Offering by October 31
Nvidia has acquired Seattle-based AI startup OctoAI, which helps run generative AI models efficiently, for a price potentially exceeding $250 million including retention incentives. OctoAI is winding down its services by October 31, marking Nvidia's continued expansion in AI amid rising regulatory scrutiny.
Joylux Partners with Halle Berry to Promote Women’s Health and Launch New Intimacy Gel
Seattle-based women's sexual health startup Joylux announced a partnership with actress Halle Berry to promote women's intimate health, launching a new intimacy gel called Let’s Spin. Founder Colette Courtion highlighted their mission to destigmatize menopause-related health issues, with Berry also becoming an investor following her positive experience with Joylux products.
LinkedIn's Top 50 Startups List Includes Seattle's Chainguard, Truveta, and Statsig
LinkedIn's annual Top 50 startups list includes three Seattle-area companies—Chainguard (No. 39), Truveta (No. 42), and Statsig (No. 47)—recognized for strong employee growth and talent attraction. All three are also highly ranked on GeekWire 200, highlighting their prominence in the Pacific Northwest startup scene.
'Seattle Freeze' Social Dynamic Criticized and Debated at WTIA FullConTech; Industry Leaders Call for Action in Seattle Startup Scene
Discussion about the 'Seattle Freeze' social dynamic resurfaced at the WTIA FullConTech conference, highlighting challenges for startup founders in Seattle. Industry leaders debated the issue, with some urging focus on actionable solutions over complaints.
Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners to Acquire Smartsheet for $8.4 Billion, Taking It Private Again
Smartsheet announced an $8.4 billion all-cash acquisition by Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners, taking the company private again six years after its public offering. Although other buyers are permitted during a go-shop period ending November 8, analysts expect the current deal to proceed and note it may signal more private equity software buyouts.
Seattle Freeze and Pessimistic Culture Challenge City’s Startup Growth, Say Local Entrepreneurs
Seattle's startup scene struggles with a culture known as the 'Seattle Freeze' and a 'celebration of pessimism,' creating challenges like passive-aggressiveness and discouragement among entrepreneurs. Industry leaders at a Washington Technology Industry Association event noted that this social dynamic hinders networking, investment, and the enthusiasm needed for startup growth.
Seattle Startup Outgo Raises $15M and Secures $50M Credit Facility to Speed Cash Access for Trucking Carriers
Outgo, a Seattle-based startup providing banking services to trucking carriers, raised $15 million in a previously undisclosed funding round alongside a $50 million credit facility. The company offers finance software helping carriers access cash within hours and manages invoice processing with lower fees than traditional factoring companies.
Seattle Startup SoundGTM Launches B2B Referral Marketplace to Scale Sales with $325K Funding
Seattle startup SoundGTM, founded by Jenn Steele and Kevin Boehm, launched a referral marketplace platform to help B2B companies boost sales by connecting them with go-to-market professionals on a pay-for-success model. The company, backed by $325,000 in funding and a small team, operates with an annual subscription and commissions paid upon milestone achievements.
GM-Backed Electric Boat Startup Pure Watercraft Enters Receivership, Selling Assets in 2023
Pure Watercraft, a Seattle-based electric boating startup backed by General Motors, entered receivership in July 2023 and is selling its assets amid financial struggles. The company raised $37 million, including a $150 million investment from GM, which held a 25% stake and valued Pure Watercraft at $600 million in 2021.
Madrona Hires Anna Chen to Boost Bay Area Operations; Alexandra Tibbets Returns to Microsoft; Niraj Tolia Named Veeam CTO
Madrona expands its Bay Area team by hiring investor Anna Chen to focus on enterprise software, AI, and consumer subscriptions, while Alexandra Tibbets returns to Microsoft as chief of staff and Niraj Tolia becomes CTO of Veeam Software following their acquisition of an AI startup.
Seattle's Zin Boats Unveils 37-Foot Electric Z11 Tender for Ultra-Rich Megayacht Owners
Seattle-based Zin Boats has developed the 37-foot Z11 electric tender, a high-speed, powerful vessel with advanced battery technology designed to shuttle wealthy clients to megayachts like the hydrogen-powered Project 821. The Z11 serves as a technological platform for various boat styles, showcasing innovations including 400kWh energy storage and joystick steering.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Mandates Full-Time Office Return to Foster Startup Culture Amid E-Commerce Challenges
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy plans to return employees to office full-time to revive startup agility amid e-commerce challenges, while GeekWire revisits driverless car experiences highlighting progress and controversy.
People
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John Cook Founder, Co-founder and Publisher, GeekWire
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Jonathan Sposato Founder, Chairman & co-founder
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Todd Bishop Founder, Co-Founder
