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GeekWire and Greater Seattle Partners call for nominations for 2026 Uncommon Thinkers; deadline Sept. 18, winners honored Dec. 10
Nominations for GeekWire’s 2026 Uncommon Thinkers Awards — honoring Seattle-area inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs — close Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. PT; winners will be chosen by a judges panel and celebrated at the GeekWire Gala on Dec. 10. The fourth annual program, run with Greater Seattle Partners, seeks nominees who demonstrate innovation, leadership and measurable impact.
Marc Whitten, ex-Microsoft Xbox exec, named president and CEO of Dolby Laboratories as Kevin Yeaman retires
Marc Whitten, a veteran of Microsoft, Sonos, Amazon, Unity, Cruise and Meta, was named president and CEO of Dolby Laboratories, succeeding longtime leader Kevin Yeaman. Fred Hutch announced leadership changes naming Dr. Lawrence Fong as senior VP and director of Translational Science and Dr. Andrew Hsieh as the inaugural endowed chair, and Microsoft AI saw executive departures including CMO Andréa Mallard.
WTIA launches 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map detailing 625 companies and founder lineages — first update since 2015
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) released the 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map on July 27, 2026 — the first update since 2015 — visualizing 625 notable Washington tech companies and the founder lineages linking Microsoft, Amazon, the University of Washington, and new hubs. The wall-sized map organizes companies by founder origin to highlight how major organizations act as launchpads for successive generations of local tech founders.
Taiwan’s eNeural Technologies Opens North American HQ in Bellevue with $3.5M Investment and 30 Jobs, Targets 500 Employees
Taiwan-based AI startup eNeural Technologies is establishing its North American headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, planning to invest $3.5 million and create around 30 jobs initially, with a long-term goal of expanding to over 500 employees as a core edge AI R&D center. The company specializes in lightweight, low-power AI software and chips for on-site device intelligence in logistics, vehicles, and smart city infrastructure.
Jay Graber Steps Down as Bluesky CEO, Toni Schneider Named Interim CEO; Graber Becomes Chief Innovation Officer
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber is stepping down to become chief innovation officer as the company hires Toni Schneider as interim CEO to focus on scaling and execution. Bluesky has grown its user base to 43 million and distinguishes itself with the open AT Protocol for social media.
Amazon Leo VP Steve Rabuchin Retires; Madrona Partner Jon Turow Joins Anthropic; Meta's Hrvoje Benko Exits Amid Layoffs
Steve Rabuchin retired after over 20 years at Amazon, including leading Project Kuiper, while Jon Turow left Madrona to join Anthropic's technical team. Additionally, Hrvoje Benko departed Meta Reality Labs amid layoffs affecting 331 employees in Washington state.
Landline phones in 2025? How this tech vet is helping kids connect
If you're looking for an uncommon thinker, how about a tech industry veteran developing and selling landline phones in 2025 — and selling out of them in the process. Chet Kittleson is the co-founder and CEO of Tin Can, a Seattle startup making Wi-Fi enabled landline phones designed to let kids talk to friends and family with just their voices. No screens, no AI. GeekWire recognized Kittleson as one of our Uncommon Thinkers for 2025, a program presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners honoring inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs transforming their industries in unexpected ways. In this episode, he talks…
Uncommon Thinkers 2025: Solar spacecraft, sci-fi biology, destroying PFAS, beyond AI chatbots, and better social media
On this special episode of the GeekWire Podcast, recorded backstage at the GeekWire Gala at the Showbox Sodo, we sit down with five of the inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs selected as the Seattle region's 2025 Uncommon Thinkers, in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners. Jeff Thornburg spent years building rocket engines for Elon Musk at SpaceX and Paul Allen at Stratolaunch. Now, as CEO of Portal Space Systems, he's moved past chemical rockets to revive a concept NASA studied decades ago but never pursued — a spacecraft powered by focused sunlight. He calls it a "steam engine for space." Read the…
2025 GeekWire Gala Hosts 750+ Seattle Tech Enthusiasts with Robots and Honors 'Uncommon Thinkers' Innovators
The 2025 GeekWire Gala brought together over 750 members of Seattle's tech community at Showbox SoDo for an evening of celebration featuring robots, games, and networking. The event also honored the region’s 'Uncommon Thinkers,' recognizing innovative leaders from multiple tech companies.
GeekWire Honors Six 'Uncommon Thinkers' Transforming Industries with Innovative Startups in 2025
GeekWire's third annual 'Uncommon Thinkers' honors six innovators including Anindya Roy, Kiana Ehsani, and Jeff Thornburg, who are leading startups transforming industries with breakthrough technologies in biotech, social media, and space propulsion. These leaders will be celebrated at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle for their creative and mission-driven approaches to solving significant challenges.
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber Builds AT Protocol to Decentralize Social Networks Beyond Company Control
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber is developing the AT Protocol, a decentralized social network foundation designed to persist beyond any single company and allow users to move their social data freely across different apps. Her vision aims to transform how online communities form, grow, and self-govern.
Vercept CEO Kiana Ehsani Creates AI Tool Vy to Automate Workflow, Encourage Outdoor Time
Kiana Ehsani, co-founder and CEO of Seattle AI startup Vercept, developed Vy, an AI tool that automates repetitive computer tasks via natural language commands, enabling users to spend more time outdoors and focus on creativity. Ehsani blends her passion for nature with technology innovation to simplify software use and improve workflow.
Brian Pinkard Launches Aquagga to Destroy Toxic PFAS Chemicals, Deploys Device in Alaska in 2023
Brian Pinkard, driven by a passion to make an environmental impact, transitioned from trail building to earning a mechanical engineering PhD and founding Aquagga, a startup focused on destroying toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals'. His startup deployed a PFAS-destroying device in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2023, reflecting his commitment to solving critical pollution challenges.
Seattle Startup Tin Can Raises $3.5M, Gains Viral Success with Kid-Friendly WiFi Landline Phones
Chet Kittleson’s Seattle startup Tin Can has gained viral success with its WiFi-enabled landline phones designed to help kids avoid screens and foster real connections, raising $3.5 million and distributing products nationwide. The device's simplicity and analog nature have resonated with parents seeking alternatives to social media and texting for their children.
Anindya Roy Co-founds Lila Biologics to Advance AI-Driven Medical Therapies After Journey from Rural India to UW Lab
Anindya Roy, who moved from rural India to the U.S. in 2008 with limited resources, has co-founded Lila Biologics in 2023 to develop innovative medical therapies using AI-powered protein design. His journey from humble beginnings to a postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate David Baker exemplifies determination and scientific innovation.
Seattle’s tech paradox: Amazon's layoffs and the AI boom — or is it a bubble?
Why is Amazon laying off 14,000 people during a massive AI boom? Todd and John analyze the Seattle tech paradox, digging into Andy Jassy's 'startup' reasoning and debating whether the AI frenzy is a bubble. Then, they take on the Cascadia high-speed rail: a necessary connector or a misguided project? Related headlines from the week Amazon layoffs Amazon confirms 14,000 job cuts, says push for ‘efficiency gains’ will continue into 2026 A tale of two Seattles in the age of AI: Harsh realities and new hope for the tech community Filing: Amazon cuts more than 2,300 jobs in Washington state…
Insights from Uncommon Thinkers: How these innovators found novel approaches in their fields
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we sit down with some of the Seattle region’s “Uncommon Thinkers” — inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs transforming industries and driving positive change in the world. We recorded the episode on location, backstage at the GeekWire Gala, where we recognized five Uncommon Thinkers through this annual awards program, presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners. Speaking on the episode are: Uri Shumlak, co-founder and chief scientist at Zap Energy, a physicist leading a team in pursuit of fusion energy, taking a different approach from others in the field. Read the profile. Ingrid Swanson Pultz…
TerraPower Isotopes’ Chris Dunckley Leads Team Extracting Ultra-Rare Actinium-225 from Cold War Waste for Cancer Therapy
Chris Dunckley, director of chemistry and engineering at TerraPower Isotopes, leads a multidisciplinary team extracting the ultra-rare radioisotope actinium-225 from Cold War nuclear waste to develop promising cancer therapies. His leadership and scientific expertise help transform radioactive weapons waste into potentially life-saving medical treatments.
Seattle Tech Leaders Dave Cotter, Johanna Faries, and Marie Donoghue Take New Roles at D3 Advisors, Blizzard, and DraftKings
Dave Cotter, former Leafly chief product officer and ex-Amazon executive, launched advisory firm D3 Advisors to consult startups and VCs. Other Seattle tech moves include Johanna Faries becoming Blizzard Entertainment president and Marie Donoghue joining DraftKings as chief business officer.
Pacvue Names Ex-Microsoft Leader Zhenbin Xu as Chief Product Officer Amid Multiple Seattle Tech Hires and Board Additions
Pacvue hired Zhenbin Xu, a former Microsoft leader, as chief product officer and recently added another Microsoft veteran, Sunava Dutta, as SVP of product. Other Seattle-area companies also made key hires and advisory appointments, including LeoStella, Adaptiva, WestRiver Group, Spectio, and Trilogy Equity Partners.
UW Professor Shwetak Patel Co-Founded Three Startups Since 2008, Leading Google Health Tech Group
Shwetak Patel, a University of Washington professor and entrepreneur, has co-founded three startups based on his inventions since arriving in Seattle in 2008, including Zensi and SNUPI, acquired by Belkin and Sears respectively. He currently leads a health tech group at Google and is recognized as an innovative thinker transforming industries.
Blake Resnick, 23, Leads Seattle Drone Startup Brinc to Enhance Public Safety with Advanced UAVs
Blake Resnick, founder and CEO of Seattle-based drone company Brinc, uses technology to improve public safety with drones designed for first responders. At 23, he secured significant early investment and aims to expand drone use for police and medical emergencies.
Boundless CEO Xiao Wang Uses Personal Immigration Experience to Revolutionize U.S. Green Card Process
Boundless co-founder and CEO Xiao Wang, an immigrant himself, launched the company to simplify the complex U.S. immigration process after witnessing his parents' struggles. Leveraging his tech background and extensive research, Wang aims to address systemic pain points and help families navigate immigration more efficiently.
Icertis names ex‑SAP marketer Gretchen Eischen as CMO amid $2.8B valuation; Apollo partner David Sambur exits Expedia board
Icertis hired former SAP marketing executive Gretchen Eischen as CMO while moving Seth Nesbitt to a newly created culture role; Icertis was valued at $2.8B after an $80M round. Apollo partner David Sambur resigned from Expedia Group’s board after a $1B investment, and Remitly named Vishal Ghotge EVP of North America.
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