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
Ex-Apple Engineers Launch Seattle's XetHub with $7.5M Seed to Accelerate AI Application Development
Seattle-based startup XetHub, founded by three former Apple engineers, raised $7.5 million in seed funding to develop a data storage platform for AI and machine learning application developers. The company aims to streamline code writing and deployment for intelligent applications, targeting businesses adopting AI beyond major tech players.
Somalytics to Launch SomaSleep Eye-Tracking Sleep Mask for $199 by End of 2023
Somalytics unveiled SomaSleep, a $199 wearable sleep mask that uses eye-tracking sensors to monitor REM sleep, aiming to provide accessible tracking of sleep quality by the end of 2023. The device, showcased at CES, could integrate with existing sleep apps and does not currently seek FDA clearance but plans comparative studies this spring.
Point72 Private Investments Expands Seattle Team to Invest in Local Tech Startups Across Funding Stages
Point72 Private Investments, led by partner Sri Chandrasekar, is expanding its venture capital presence in Seattle with plans to grow its team and invest in tech startups at various funding stages. The firm, drawn by Seattle's tech talent and undercapitalized market, aims to support companies from early funding rounds through Series D.
Cardiac Dimensions Raises $35M to Advance Carillon System for Treating Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Cardiac Dimensions raised $35 million to support testing and marketing of its Carillon Mitral Contour System, a minimally invasive device for treating mitral valve regurgitation linked to heart failure. The funds will expand European sales and finance a U.S.-based clinical study involving major medical centers.
Samsung Ventures Leads $13 Million Investment in Lumotive to Expand Production of 3D Sensor Chips for Autonomous Vehicles
Seattle-based startup Lumotive secured $13 million in funding led by Samsung Ventures to expand production of its Light Control Metasurface chips used in 3D sensors for autonomous vehicles and robots. The investment increases Lumotive's total funding to over $56 million and supports both current chip deployment and future product development.
KKR-Backed Alchemer Acquires Seattle Startup Apptentive to Expand Mobile Feedback Tools
Alchemer, backed by private equity firm KKR, acquired Seattle-based Apptentive to integrate mobile customer feedback capabilities into its survey platform. Apptentive CEO Robi Ganguly will join Alchemer's executive team while most Apptentive employees transition to Alchemer.
Flexe CTO David Glick Departs; Impinj Appoints Cathal Phelan as Chief Innovation Officer; FlyHomes and VertueLab Announce New Executives
David Glick resigned as CTO of Flexe after nearly four years, passing leadership to Anthony Girolamo, while Impinj named Cathal Phelan as chief innovation officer. Additionally, Seattle's FlyHomes and Portland's VertueLab announced key executive appointments.
Washington State Tech Companies Including Amazon, HaptX, and Elektrobit Showcase Innovations at CES 2023 in Las Vegas
CES 2023 is returning to Las Vegas with about 100,000 expected attendees, featuring a range of Washington state companies from startups to giants like Amazon showcasing innovations in tech fields such as AR/VR, IoT, automotive software, and more. GeekWire highlights key exhibitors including Amazon, Ant Reality, Bluetooth SIG, Elektrobit, HaptX, and Heybike among others.
SirionLabs Raises $25M More in Series D, Totaling $110M to Enhance AI-Powered Contract Management
SirionLabs, a Seattle-based contract lifecycle management startup, raised an additional $25 million in its Series D round, totaling $110 million. The company uses AI and natural language processing to manage contracts and plans to invest in product innovation and enterprise integrations.
Seattle's Rec Room Hits $3.5B Valuation with 29M Users but Rejects 'Metaverse' Label
Seattle startup Rec Room, valued at $3.5 billion, has expanded its avatar-based social gaming app to 29 million active users across multiple platforms with significant mobile growth and new content partnerships. Despite its virtual social space and rapid user base expansion, Rec Room does not consider itself a 'metaverse' company, positioning its platform as a supplement rather than an alternative to real life.
Pacific Northwest Startup Funding Drops 35% in 2022, TerraPower Leads Top Rounds with $750M Investment
Venture capital investment in Pacific Northwest startups dropped 35% in 2022, with funding decreasing over 50% in the year's second half amid economic cooling and rising interest rates. Despite this slowdown, some startups like Bellevue-based TerraPower secured significant funding, with its $750 million round leading the top 10 deals that accounted for 44% of total investment in the region.
Seattle Startups Uplevel and Volt Athletics Report Productivity Boost and Revenue Gains from Four-Day Workweek Trials
Seattle startups Uplevel and Volt Athletics found that adopting a four-day workweek increased productivity and employee wellbeing without hurting business performance. Uplevel saw higher product delivery and customer onboarding during their three-month trial, while a global study reported a 38% average revenue increase among companies piloting the shorter week.
William Canestaro of Washington Research Foundation Advises Life Science Entrepreneurs on Essential First 10 Calls for Startup Success
William Canestaro, managing director of Washington Research Foundation and WRF Capital, advises life science entrepreneurs on crucial early-stage contacts and questions to keep startups on track, highlighting the importance of support networks, investor feedback, and careful regulatory consultation.
Ridwell and Pacific Northwest Innovators Tackle Plastic Waste Crisis Amid Low U.S. Recycling Rates
Plastic waste recycling remains a significant challenge with only about 5% of plastic recycled in the U.S., while environmental startups like Ridwell are innovating new collection and recycling methods. Experts emphasize that relying solely on consumer recycling is insufficient to solve the plastic pollution crisis, prompting increased efforts by startups, scientists, and government agencies.
Claudiu Bulai Joins AI Startup Quantarium; Lynn Seely Named CEO of Lyell Immunopharma
Claudiu Bulai joined Bellevue AI startup Quantarium as chief innovation officer after five years at Meta’s Reality Labs Research. Lynn Seely became CEO and president of Lyell Immunopharma, succeeding Elizabeth Homans, who will consult through June 2024.
Seattle Couple Launch Group B Labs with Bubbe, a High-Tech Baby Bottle for Perfect Milk Temperature
Seattle couple Illi and Olivia Eisner co-founded Group B Labs to develop Bubbe, a high-tech baby bottle that keeps breastmilk or formula cold and quickly heats to the perfect temperature, addressing common parent frustrations. Illi brings over a decade of hardware experience from major tech companies, while Olivia is a certified nurse midwife and lactation consultant.
Bill Gates Embraces Grandfather Role in 2023, Highlights Global Health and Climate Challenges in Annual Essay
Bill Gates reflects on becoming a grandfather in 2023 and emphasizes his focus on combating global challenges such as childhood disease, climate change, and education through his philanthropic work. Despite personal struggles, he remains optimistic about solving major problems and advancing clean energy innovation.
Seattle Officials Question Tech Industry's Role in Addressing Housing and Inequality Amid Meta's Regional Expansion and Layoffs
Tech companies like Meta have significantly boosted Seattle's economy and employment but are also criticized for contributing to income inequality and housing issues. Local officials discussed whether these companies are doing enough to address these regional challenges at a Seattle Metro Chamber event featuring Meta's Pacific Northwest head Paresh Rajwat.
Seattle Startups Karat and Common Room Hire New Execs; Microsoft Veteran Peter Petesch Departs After 32 Years
Seattle startups Karat and Common Room have hired new executives, with Karat appointing Scott Bonneau as EVP of operations and product, and Amy Sennett as general counsel, while Common Room brought on Matt Duchesne as VP of sales. Additionally, longtime Microsoft engineering leader Peter Petesch departed after 32 years, and Seattle-based Skytap hired Rahul Tripathi as chief product and technology officer.
Group14 Raises $214M from Microsoft Climate Fund Amid $400M Series C and $100M Federal Boost, Valued Over $3B
Group14 Technologies, a Washington-based battery materials manufacturer, raised $214 million from investors including Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, adding to a $400 million Series C investment and $100 million in federal funding. The company, valued at over $3 billion, develops silicon-carbon composite anodes that enhance lithium-ion battery performance and is poised to benefit from growing EV sales and federal mandates to boost domestic battery production.
Former Starbucks Exec Adam Brotman and Investor Andy Sack Raise $10M for Forum3 to Expand NFT Loyalty Tech
Seattle tech veterans Adam Brotman and Andy Sack raised $10 million to launch Forum3, a startup offering NFT-based customer engagement tech designed to simplify blockchain use for consumer brands. Forum3 aims to provide a white-labeled version of Starbucks' NFT loyalty program, Odyssey, removing cryptocurrency barriers for users.
Allen Institute Names Helen Protheroe and Arden Yang to Executive Roles; Qumulo’s Aaron Passey Returns as Engineering Lead
The Allen Institute appointed Helen Protheroe as executive director of global partnerships and philanthropy and Arden Yang as vice president of innovation, while Aaron Passey returned to Qumulo as an engineering leader. Other notable tech leadership changes include Kevin Goldsmith becoming CTO of DistroKid, Samir Diwan joining Madrona Venture Labs, S. Skye Yoden stepping down from PATH, and Lindsie Goss joining Outpace Bio.
Seattle’s Banzai to Go Public via SPAC with 7GC Holdings and Acquire Hyros for $110 Million
Seattle marketing software startup Banzai announced it will go public via a SPAC merger with 7GC Holdings and pay $110 million to acquire marketing optimization company Hyros after the deal closes. Founded in 2016, Banzai has pivoted to provide an end-to-end video engagement marketing platform and now employs 94 people.
Rad Power Bikes Conducts Third Layoff in 2023 Amid Economic Downturn and Operational Challenges
Rad Power Bikes is conducting its third round of layoffs in 2023 to reduce costs amid an economic downturn, having previously cut 163 jobs this year from its nearly 500 employees. The Seattle-based company has faced multiple challenges including lawsuits and product recalls, while also recently launching a new three-wheeled electric bike.
Maureen Ezekwugo Named CEO of Oggvo; Chad Cohen Joins Capella Space as CFO and COO; GitHub Appoints Inbal Shani as Chief Product Officer
Maureen Ezekwugo became CEO of Seattle-based Oggvo, specializing in customer review software, while Chad Cohen joined Capella Space as CFO and COO. Microsoft-owned GitHub hired Inbal Shani as its new chief product officer, and Falkon added two executives after raising $16 million.
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
