Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Financial Services
- Founded
- 2010
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Employees
- 47
- Registered name
- Lighter Capital Inc Seattle business license
Tom Huseby, Founder of SeaPoint Ventures and Seattle Tech Investor, Dies at 76 from Pancreatic Cancer
Tom Huseby, founder of SeaPoint Ventures and longtime Seattle tech investor and advisor, passed away at 76 in June 2024 due to pancreatic cancer. Remembered for his wisdom, wit, and deep kindness, he significantly impacted numerous technology startups over 25 years.
Author Departs Lighter Capital After Nearly Eight Years, Celebrates Connections with Global Entrepreneurs
The author marked their last official day at Lighter Capital after nearly eight years, reflecting on meaningful relationships and inspiration gained from working with entrepreneurs globally.
Melissa Widner
Melissa Widner is the CEO of Lighter Capital, the pioneer and leader in revenue-based financing for tech startups and scales-ups. Prior to Lighter Capital, Melissa was the Managing Director of NAB Ventures, the VC arm of the National Australia Bank and a General Partner at Seattle based SeaPoint Ventures. She was also the founder and CEO of 7Software, and the CEO of Northwest Industrial Supply, where under her leadership, both companies generated over a 10X return to investors. Melissa is also the co-founder and Chairperson of Sydney based Heads Over Heels, an organization that supports women entrepreneurs running companies with…
Lighter Capital raises more than $100M (mostly debt) to expand revenue-based financing for startups
Lighter Capital has raised over $100 million (mostly debt) to expand its revenue-based financing program that lets startups get $50,000–$3 million without giving up equity. The Seattle firm, which has invested $200M in 400+ companies, is now profitable with 36 employees after prior layoffs and recently named Melissa Widner CEO.
SBA Reveals Seattle Tech Startups Received Millions in PPP Loans Including ExtraHop’s $10M and Rover’s $8.1M
The Small Business Administration released detailed data on Paycheck Protection Program loans, revealing Seattle-area tech startups like ExtraHop and Rover received between $5.4 million and $10 million to support payroll during the COVID-19 crisis. The PPP distributed $525 billion across over 5 million loans before ending in August amid issues with loan forgiveness and fraud.
Lighter Capital appoints Melissa Widner as CEO after layoffs; firm has invested $200M+ using revenue-based financing
Seattle alternative VC firm Lighter Capital named Melissa Widner as CEO; she succeeds Thor Culverhouse and joins a company that has deployed $200M+ via revenue-based financing and recently cut staff from ~80 to 23 before rising to 25 employees. Widner, a Sydney-based board member and former NAB venture managing partner, plans remote hiring as the firm seeks global growth.
Lighter Capital lays off 22, halving staff to 23 after prior cuts as it shifts amid pandemic
Seattle-based alternative VC Lighter Capital laid off 22 employees, halving its workforce to 23 after prior cuts in April; the firm has invested over $200 million using revenue-based financing and secured a $100 million lending deal with HCG Fund Management in January.
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.
NVCA warns COVID-19 will slash venture capital and trigger widespread startup layoffs, after 30,000 cuts reported
The National Venture Capital Association warns that COVID-19 will cause a significant drop in venture capital investment, triggering more startup layoffs and a tougher fundraising environment; reports estimate 30,000 layoffs already and predict widespread workforce cuts over the next year. Impact varies by industry, with travel-related startups cutting large shares of staff while some well-funded companies fare better.
Lighter Capital lays off 22% of staff to preserve runway, trims mainly sales and marketing roles
Seattle-based alternative VC Lighter Capital cut 22% of its roughly 80-person workforce, mainly in sales and marketing, to preserve runway amid the pandemic while continuing product development and pursuing growth plans.
Lighter Capital names Patricia Elliott CSO and Kevin Fink CTO after $100M deal; Gaby Adam launches OurPlanet365; Accolade adds Pat Wadors to board
Seattle-based Lighter Capital hired Patricia Elliott as chief sales officer and Kevin Fink as chief technology officer after securing a $100 million deal; PR veteran Gaby Adam launched sustainability consultancy OurPlanet365; Accolade added Pat Wadors to its board as talent leader.
Smartsheet Rises to No. 6 on GeekWire 200 List with Over $70M Revenue and Boston Expansion Plans
Smartsheet has risen to number six on the GeekWire 200 list of privately held Pacific Northwest startups, up from 13th at the start of the year, driven by strong subscription revenue growth and key executive hires. Other notable movers include Vacation rental startup Vacasa entering the top 10 and Seattle’s Highspot climbing to number 148 after forming a strategic partnership with Brainshark.
People
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Erik Benson Executive Officer, Director, Board Member
