Hiya
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle, USA
- Sectors
- Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Software
- Founded
- 2016 Seattle business license
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Registered name
- Hiya Inc Seattle business license
- Stage
- startup
Microsoft names Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer and promotes Jenny Lay‑Flurrie; DAT CPO Brian Gill resigns
Microsoft promoted Jenny Lay‑Flurrie to corporate vice president of its Trusted Technology Group and named Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer; Zillow appointed a new policy lead while departures occurred at Oracle, Hiya and DAT Freight & Analytics, including DAT’s CPO Brian Gill resigning.
Seattle's Hiya Acquires Barcelona Deepfake Startup Loccus.ai and Launches Voice-Cloning Detection Tool
Seattle startup Hiya acquired Barcelona-based deepfake detection firm Loccus.ai and launched Hiya AI Voice Detection, a tool that detects AI-generated voices from 1.5 seconds of audio in multiple languages. Hiya aims to combat growing AI deepfake and robocall fraud amid rising consumer exposure to these threats.
Seattle Entrepreneur Alex Algard Launches Online List Tracking 375+ Corporations Boycotting Russia Amid Ukraine Invasion
Seattle entrepreneur Alex Algard created an online list tracking the economic actions of over 375 corporations boycotting Russia amid the invasion of Ukraine, highlighting both those who have acted and those still operating there. The list is detailed by sector and aims to provide an accurate, up-to-date resource to support collective efforts against Russia.
OfferUp appoints Melinda Starbird as first chief people and diversity officer; Steve Hobbs named Washington secretary of state; Convoy engineering VP Tim Prouty moves to Headway
OfferUp named Melinda Starbird as its first chief people and diversity officer; she previously held senior HR roles at Auth0, Avanade, Whitepages and Hiya. The brief also reports Washington Gov. Inslee appointed State Senator Steve Hobbs as secretary of state effective Nov. 22, and Convoy VP of engineering Tim Prouty left to become VP of engineering at mental-health platform Headway.
Relevvo raises $1.5M seed to power personalized B2B sales messaging from Microsoft and LinkedIn veterans
Seattle startup Relevvo, founded by veterans from Microsoft, LinkedIn and other firms, raised a $1.5 million seed round to sell a B2B ‘relevance engine’ that delivers personalized sales messaging at scale to replace ‘spray and pray’ outreach. The seven-person company counts customers like iSpot, Esper, Hiya and CourseKey and was founded by Aashish Dhamdhere and Tushar Shanbhag.
Archera raises $7M Series A to automate AWS and Azure cost optimization, bringing total funding to $10.3M
Seattle startup Archera (formerly Reserved.ai) raised $7 million in a Series A to help AWS, Azure and other cloud customers automate resource management and purchasing; the company reports 150% revenue growth this year and counts customers like Fortive and Guardant Health.
Techstars Seattle 2011 cohort produced three unicorns (30% rate), making it arguably the accelerator world's most successful class
Techstars Seattle’s 2011 accelerator cohort produced three unicorns — a 30% unicorn-rate — making it likely the most successful accelerator class ever, despite founders facing near-death challenges and a low representation of women among its ten startups.
Hiya Adds Salesforce President and CMO Sarah Franklin to Board as User Base Hits 180M
Seattle spam-call blocker Hiya added Salesforce President and CMO Sarah Franklin to its board as it scales enterprise growth, after adding 50 million monthly active users in the past year and serving 180 million users worldwide. The company also appointed Bill McAleer as a board advisor and highlighted more than 115% growth in global enterprise customers.
GeekWire names winners at 2021 Awards; SeekOut wins Startup of the Year after $65M raise
The 2021 GeekWire Awards returned as a virtual event honoring over 60 finalists across 14 categories from the Pacific Northwest tech community, featuring celebrity cameos and performances. Winners included SeekOut as Startup of the Year, and among 16 winners eight were women and five were people of color and/or immigrant entrepreneurs.
Mastercard to Buy Seattle Identity Startup Ekata for $850M; Deal to Close Within Six Months
Mastercard will acquire Seattle identity-verification startup Ekata for $850 million; Ekata, spun out of Whitepages in 2019 with about 200 employees, serves over 2,000 customers and its tech will be integrated into Mastercard's real-time identity services. The deal is expected to close within six months amid rising demand for digital identity solutions.
Former Microsoft Azure distinguished engineer Kushagra Vaid joins Eclipse Ventures as partner; Mary Shea named Outreach’s first evangelist
Multiple Pacific Northwest tech moves: former Microsoft Azure distinguished engineer Kushagra Vaid joined Eclipse Ventures as a partner and is advising Cyemptive Technologies; Athira Pharma appointed Barbara Kosacz to its board; Outreach hired former Forrester analyst Mary Shea as its first evangelist; and Microsoft Vancouver GM Edoardo De Martin left to become CTO at CubicFarm Systems.
OfferUp names Niti Bashambu CPO after $120M raise and $1.4B valuation; Flyhomes appoints Amy Sellers VP of Marketing
OfferUp hired Niti Bashambu as chief product officer after raising $120 million and reaching a $1.4B valuation; Flyhomes named Amy Sellers VP of marketing as it expands across five markets. Promethean also hired Chris Hand as chief revenue officer.
SBA data: Seattle startups Rover, ExtraHop, Porch, Promethean and Logic20/20 each received $5–$10M in PPP loans
The SBA released Paycheck Protection Program data showing several Seattle-area tech startups received $5–$10 million PPP loans to help during COVID-19; recipients include Rover, ExtraHop, Porch, Promethean and Logic20/20. The program has seen controversy over eligibility and forgiveness guidance, and some venture-backed startups declined loans on ethical grounds.
Seattle Tech Firms Shift Perks to Remote Support: Accolade Hosts Virtual Commencement; OfferUp Adds Summer Fridays
With employees working from home during the pandemic and amid racial justice protests, Seattle-area tech companies are replacing traditional office perks with remote-focused benefits—virtual events, expanded leave and care packages—to support staff wellbeing and culture. Examples include Accolade's virtual commencement for employees' children and OfferUp's 'Summer Fridays' schedule.
Hiya names Hillery Nye GC and John Novak SVP of Marketing; Unity hires Scott Pitasky; Bellevue College appoints Gary Locke interim president
Seattle caller-ID startup Hiya hired Hillery Nye as general counsel and John Novak as SVP of marketing; Unity Technologies named Scott Pitasky chief people officer. Bellevue College appointed former Washington governor Gary Locke as interim president starting June 15.
People
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Alex Algard Founder, CEO & Founder
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Kush Parikh Executive, President
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Jonathan Nelson Director of Product Management, Sr. Product Manager, Reputation Data
