Facts
- HQ
- United States
- Sectors
- Professional networking, Social networking, Technology
- Founded
- 2002
- Stage
- Public
Apple Acquires Seattle AI Startup WhyLabs and Integrates Founders into New Roles in 2024
Apple has quietly acquired Seattle startup WhyLabs in 2024, incorporating its founding team into AI-related roles. WhyLabs is discontinuing operations and open-sourcing its platform following the acquisition, which includes rights to its intellectual property.
OpenAI Expands Seattle Footprint with $1.1B Acquisition of Bellevue Startup Statsig
OpenAI is expanding its Seattle-area presence by acquiring the Bellevue-based product development platform Statsig for $1.1 billion, with Statsig continuing to operate independently. The move strengthens OpenAI's access to Seattle's tech talent and aligns with its existing local office near Microsoft.
OpenAI Acquires Statsig for $1.1 Billion, Appoints CEO Vijaye Raji as CTO of Applications
OpenAI is acquiring Statsig for $1.1 billion in an all-stock deal, appointing Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji as its new CTO of Applications. The startup will operate independently post-acquisition from its Seattle office, while its employees may join OpenAI.
Pokee AI Raises $12M Seed Round Led by Point72 to Automate Online Workflows via AI Agents
Pokee AI, founded by a former Meta manager, raised $12 million seed funding led by Point72 Ventures to develop AI agents that automate online workflows using reinforcement learning. The startup's AI agent supports integrations with major platforms and is currently in public beta.
Intuit Acquires AI-Powered Sales Technology from Seattle Startup Relevvo to Enhance B2B Buyer Connections
Intuit acquired AI-powered technology from Seattle startup Relevvo, which helps B2B companies better connect with buyers using personalized insights. Founded in 2020, Relevvo's platform aims to improve sales targeting and messaging, and the technology will enhance Intuit's service to mid-market customers.
Nearly All Seattle GeekWire 200 CEOs Report AI-Driven Productivity Gains, Citing Up to 30% Increases
A survey of GeekWire 200 CEOs reveals that nearly all Seattle-area startups are experiencing productivity gains from AI, with many integrating it across multiple departments despite varying adoption levels. The trend aligns with broader industry data showing increased AI use, while challenges like trustworthiness and workforce impact remain.
Seattle Solar Startup Omnidian Hires Former Impinj CFO Evan Fein After Raising $87M
Seattle solar startup Omnidian appointed Evan Fein, former Impinj leader, as CFO following its $87 million funding round and acquisition of Australia's largest solar service network. The company aims to expand internationally and diversify into new renewable energy services using its solar performance management software.
Seattle Startups Like Tin Can Launch WiFi-Enabled Landlines and Dumb Phones to Limit Kids’ Screen Time
Three Seattle startups, including Tin Can, are creating smartphone alternatives for kids to reduce screen time and social media pressure by offering WiFi-enabled landlines and ‘dumb phones’ with limited functionality. Tin Can’s colorful WiFi-enabled landlines aim to simplify communication and avoid screen addiction.
Seattle-Area Startups Eve Wealth, Omnivista, and SelfFull Leverage AI in Investing, Voice Agents, and Coaching with $1.75M Raised
Several early stage Seattle-area startups are using AI in innovative ways across diverse sectors including digital asset investing, voice agents for websites, and AI-powered coaching platforms. Notable among them are Eve Wealth relaunching with $1.75 million raised to support crypto education and investment, Omnivista enabling rapid deployment of voice agents for customer interaction, and SelfFull scaling coaching impact with AI.
ATmosphere Conference Spotlights AT Protocol Enabling Decentralized Social Web with Bluesky and Obama Joins
The ATmosphere Conference in Seattle highlighted the emerging Authenticated Transfer (AT) Protocol, a decentralized social web system enabling users to own their identity and data, exemplified by the Bluesky social network. This protocol aims to disrupt current social apps by allowing interoperable, user-controlled data across multiple apps, with notable figures like Barack Obama joining Bluesky recently.
Rad Power Bikes CEO Phil Molyneux Steps Down Amid Strategic Shift and Layoffs; CFO Stephanie Roberts Named Interim CEO
Phil Molyneux has stepped down as CEO of Rad Power Bikes after more than two years, with CFO Stephanie Roberts serving as interim CEO during the leadership transition. The Seattle-based e-bike company is undergoing a strategic shift toward physical retail, resulting in additional layoffs and operational changes.
Seattle Startups Duckpins, GovGoose, MediScan, and Identient Innovate in Legal, Permits, Medical Records, and Cybersecurity
Four Seattle startups—Duckpins, GovGoose, MediScan, and Identient—are leveraging AI and software to streamline estate planning, city permits, medical records, and cybersecurity. These companies are led by experienced founders and aim to simplify complex processes like electronic wills, permit automation, and cybersecurity management.
Seattle's Truveta Raises $320M to Launch Largest Genomic Database with 10 Million Exomes Sequenced
Seattle-based health data company Truveta secured $320 million from 17 health systems, Illumina, and Regeneron to launch the Truveta Genome Project, aiming to create the largest and most diverse genomic and phenotypic dataset ever assembled, greatly surpassing previous efforts. The project will sequence exomes of 10 million volunteers using biospecimens linked to anonymized medical records to advance genetic research and healthcare insights.
WatchGuard Technologies Acquires Threat Analysis Startup ActZero to Expand MDR Services
Seattle cybersecurity company WatchGuard Technologies acquired San Francisco-based threat analysis startup ActZero to expand its managed detection and response capabilities, with key leadership transitions announced. ActZero’s CEO Sameer Bhalotra will serve as an advisor, while co-founder Hal Libby will become general manager of security services at WatchGuard.
OfferUp Cuts 22% of Staff Amid Profitability Drive, Expands Beyond Used Goods
OfferUp is cutting 22% of its nearly 500 employees to stay profitable amid challenging ad revenue and is expanding beyond used goods into local commerce areas like job postings and home services. Affected staff will receive severance, health benefits through February, and job placement support.
Microsoft GM Nikesh Parekh Advises SaaS VP on Evaluating Stock Value and Career Priorities at Slow-Growth Company
Nikesh Parekh, a Microsoft general manager and former startup founder, advises a VP of engineering at a slow-growing SaaS company to assess the value of their stock and company exit potential before making career moves. He suggests prioritizing career goals like skill growth, title, or compensation while considering the risks involved.
Seattle Tech Founder Adam Doppelt Launches Fireball.xyz to Guide Consumers on Smoke Detectors and False Alarm Solutions
Adam Doppelt, a Seattle tech founder, created Fireball.xyz, a comprehensive online guide to smoke detectors aimed at reducing consumer frustration with false alarms and providing safety information. The site offers reviews, installation tips, and purchase links, inspired by Doppelt’s personal experiences with malfunctioning detectors.
Seattle Carbon Removal Startup Nori Shuts Down After Raising $17.25M and Seven Years of Operation
Seattle-based carbon removal startup Nori, which raised $17.25 million and operated a blockchain-enabled marketplace for carbon credits, has shut down after seven years due to challenges in the voluntary carbon market and funding difficulties. Despite being on track to remove over 700,000 tons of carbon in 2023 and directing $6.5 million to farmers, Nori ceased operations amid an uncertain and evolving carbon credit sector.
Madrona Adds Jeff Mills as Partner to Lead Silicon Valley Expansion; Nex Hires Former Walmart Execs; Amperity CEO Steps Down
Seattle venture firm Madrona hired Jeff Mills as partner to expand its Silicon Valley presence, while Nex appointed two former Walmart tech leaders, and Amperity's CEO Barry Padgett stepped down. Other Pacific Northwest tech industry moves include leadership changes at Zendesk and Cohesity.
Common Room's Viraj Mody on Building Community, Foundation Models and Being Relentless
Madrona Managing Director Soma dives into the world of intelligent applications and generative AI with Common Room Co-founder and CTO Viraj Mody. Madrona first invested in Common Room in 2020 — and we had the pleasure of having the founders join us on Founded & Funded the following year. Common Room is an intelligent community growth platform that combines engagement data from platforms like LinkedIn, Slack, Twitter, Reddit, GitHub, and others with product usage and CRM data to surface insights from across an organization's entire user community. Customers like Figma, OpenAI, and Grafana Labs use Common Room to better understand…
Dan Lewis - CEO at Convoy
Chris Yeh is co-author with Reid Hoffman of the New York Times bestselling book Blitzscaling Blitzscaling is the most impactful and widely recognized entrepreneurship book of our generation. It’s taught in businesses schools at Stanford, Harvard and Yale *Read Bill Gates’ recommendation* https://www.linkedin.com/posts/williamhgates_introducing-blitzscaling-activity-6455828828068601857-YoIp *Take the Stanford Course which Chris gave with Reid Hoffman, Founder of LinkedIn* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RrVmv5WwA *Learn about Blitzscaling in Harvard Business Review* https://hbr.org/2016/04/blitzscaling --- *We're eager to hear from you* Post your thoughts on LinkedIn and tag @blitzscalingyourself, @chrisyeh, @juliennewman or @jeremyhaddock *Check out our website* www.blitzscalingyourself *Buy the book on Amazon* https://amzn.to/3t4UCj6 *Subscribe on Apple Podcasts* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blitzscaling-yourself-with-chris-yeh/id1641765948…
Insights from the life of early Amazon investor and Seattle business leader Tom Alberg
Seattle investor and business leader Tom Alberg, who died last week at the age of 82, was a key figure in the e-commerce and wireless industries, and in the Seattle startup community, through his roles as an early Amazon investor and longtime board member, executive at McCaw Cellular, and co-founder of Madrona Venture group. On this episode of the GeekWire Podcast, Todd Bishop and John Cook share their own insights from Alberg's life. See our earlier coverage for more on Alberg’s legacy; read tributes from his friends and colleagues; and see Madrona’s LinkedIn post for more remembrances from those who…
Former Google engineering director Ankur Sinha named Remitly CTO; Karim Meghji to advisory role in February
Ankur Sinha, formerly a Google engineering director who oversaw Google Cloud’s commerce capabilities and previously spent 12 years at Microsoft, joined Remitly as chief technology officer. Several other Seattle-area tech and health hires and role changes are noted, including Karim Meghji shifting to an executive advisory role at Remitly at the end of February.
Sarah Bird departs Moz after 14 years and seven-plus years as CEO following June acquisition by iContact (J2 Global)
Sarah Bird is leaving Moz after 14 years at the Seattle SEO software startup, including more than seven years as CEO; Moz was acquired by iContact (a J2 Global subsidiary) this past June and Bird transitioned to EVP and chief revenue officer of the Moz Group before announcing her departure. She plans to take the winter off to rest and has no firm next steps yet.
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.
