Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Tektonic AI Raises $10M Seed Round from Madrona and Point72 Ventures to Automate Complex Business Workflows
Seattle-based startup Tektonic AI raised $10 million from Madrona and Point72 Ventures to develop AI software automating complex business workflows, initially targeting sales and revenue teams. The company aims to streamline dynamic workflows by using AI agents that understand natural language, enhancing productivity beyond traditional automation tools.
Ex-Evite CEO Victor Cho's Emovid Startup Aims to Replace Billions of Workplace Emails with Asynchronous Video Messages
Victor Cho, former Evite CEO, is leading Seattle startup Emovid to replace billions of workplace emails with asynchronous video messages for more authentic and efficient business communication. Emovid's browser-based platform requires no app download and aims to shift 20% of email volume to video.
AI Company Xembly to End Services and Wind Down by June 1, 2024 Amid AI Platform Challenges
Enterprise AI company Xembly announced it will cease its customer-facing services and wind down operations due to challenges with underlying AI platforms, effective June 1, 2024. The Seattle-based firm, founded in 2020 and backed by $20 million in funding, plans to pursue a new direction in AI development.
Yi-Jian Ngo Steps Down as Leader of Seattle’s Alliance of Angels After Growing Membership and Investments
Yi-Jian Ngo, longtime leader of Seattle's Alliance of Angels, is stepping down to focus on family, with Maren Nelson stepping in as interim executive director. Under Ngo's leadership, the group grew its membership and invested over $125 million into 250+ startups, including notable exits like DocuSign.
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.
Seattle Recruiting Software Startup SeekOut Lays Off 30% of Workforce, Second Round in Eight Months
Seattle-based recruiting software startup SeekOut cut 30% of its workforce last week, marking its second round of layoffs in eight months amid a tech downturn. The company raised $115 million in 2022, was valued at $1.2 billion, but did not disclose exact numbers of employees affected.
GeekWire Week in Review (May 12, 2024): AWS and Google executive moves, Expedia leadership exits, Kyndryl acquires Skytap
A weekly roundup of GeekWire’s most-read technology and startup stories for the week of May 12, 2024, covering major tech moves, executive departures, acquisitions, and new accelerator initiatives in the Seattle area and beyond.
Aviel Ginzburg Launches Seattle Foundations to Support Tech Startups with Non-Equity Accelerator in Capitol Hill
Aviel Ginzburg and a team of entrepreneurs are launching Seattle Foundations, a new invite-only entrepreneurial community and shared workspace in Seattle, aiming to support tech founders with mentorship and resources without taking equity. The initiative, set to open later this year in Capitol Hill, will offer co-working space, events, and six-month memberships focused on startup acceleration.
Seattle Startup Dopl Technologies Wins $150,000 for Telerobotic Ultrasound System Enhancing Rural Specialist Care in 2024
Seattle startup Dopl Technologies developed a telerobotic ultrasound system to provide specialist care remotely to rural patients, winning $150,000 at the 2024 Flywheel Investment Conference. The system allows specialists to control ultrasound devices from distant locations, improving patient access and hospital efficiency.
Seattle Startup OneCourt Creates Tactile Device for Vision-Impaired Fans to Follow Live Sports
Seattle startup OneCourt developed a tactile haptics device that helps vision-impaired sports fans follow live games by feeling spatial outlines and vibrations synced to broadcasts. This technology complements audio commentary by adding spatial details and real-time engagement.
Predict.law Launches AI Platform to Predict Legal Case Outcomes in Contingency Civil Cases
Predict.law, a Seattle-based legal-tech startup founded by industry veterans Pat Wilburn, Stan Zaporozhets, and Dave Contreras, uses AI to analyze precedent case histories and help attorneys better predict outcomes in contingency-based civil cases. The startup, supported by Mudita Venture Partners, aims to improve legal efficiency by replacing manual case searches with machine learning tools.
DocuSign acquires Lexion (DocuSmart Inc.) for $165M to enhance Intelligent Agreement Management
DocuSign has acquired Lexion (DocuSmart Inc.), an AI-powered contract management startup founded in 2019, in an all-cash deal reportedly worth $165 million to bolster its new Intelligent Agreement Management platform. Lexion’s NLP-based system converts contract text into structured, searchable data and offers tools for contract creation across functions like sales, IT, HR and finance.
Seattle Startup Fairway Bikes Launches 3-Wheeled Electric Golf Bike With 20-Mile Range Battery
Seattle startup Fairway Bikes has introduced a 3-wheeled electric golf bike with a detachable 20-mile range battery and golf accessories, designed to improve pace of play while providing exercise on the course. The bike offers a top speed of 12 MPH, adjustable electric assist, and aims to fill the gap between walking and traditional golf carts.
Creative Destruction Lab Seattle Graduates 17 Startups from Manufacturing and Computational Health Cohort
Creative Destruction Lab's Seattle accelerator, launched in 2021 and funded by UW and Microsoft, graduated 17 startups focused on manufacturing and computational health from its latest cohort of 40. The 9-month program features no equity taken, milestone checkpoints, and support from over 70 Pacific Northwest mentors.
Former Microsoft Engineers Ashish Kurmi and Varun Sharma Raise $3M for StepSecurity to Secure CI/CD Pipelines
StepSecurity, a Seattle startup founded by former Microsoft engineers Ashish Kurmi and Varun Sharma, raised $3 million in seed funding led by Runtime Ventures to secure CI/CD pipelines. The company targets developers using GitHub Actions and has customers in crypto, healthcare, and cybersecurity sectors.
2024 GeekWire Awards on May 9 in Seattle to Honor Over 50 Pacific Northwest Tech Innovators
The 2024 GeekWire Awards event will be held on May 9 in Seattle to honor top innovators and leaders in tech from the Pacific Northwest, with over 50 finalists across multiple categories. Tickets are limited and the ceremony features awards, a dinner, and entertainment.
Matt Hulett Steps Down as PetMed Express CEO; Sandra Campos Named Successor; Seattle Startups Avante, OfferUp Add Execs
Matt Hulett is stepping down as CEO and president of PetMed Express, with Sandra Campos named as his replacement. Additionally, several executives joined or were promoted at Seattle-area startups Avante, OfferUp, and New York-based Sisense.
Acquired Podcast Founders Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Launch Growth-Stage Tech Investment Fund
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, founders and hosts of the Acquired podcast, are launching a new investment fund to invest in growth-stage tech companies, leveraging opportunities from their podcast network. Their fund formalizes their existing personal investments in startups like Vanta and Modern Treasury without turning into a traditional venture capital firm.
Microsoft’s Early Dominance from 1975-95 Driven by PC Timing, DOS Platform, and Profitable Software Model
Microsoft became dominant from 1975-95 by timing the PC revolution, pioneering a high-margin software business model, and strategically owning the platform through DOS. The company, led by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, successfully leveraged early profitability and bold bets like focusing on Windows, all without relying on external capital.
Tola Capital co-founder Sheila Gulati raises $230 million third fund, firm totals $688 million in capital
Seattle venture capital firm Tola Capital, co-founded by Sheila Gulati, raised a $230 million third fund in November and has already made multiple investments, bringing the firm's total capital raised to $688 million. Gulati, whose early exposure to tech influenced her career, runs the AI-focused firm that has backed companies like Simpplr and B12.
Bill Gates Visits Modern Hydrogen, Demonstrates Carbon-Sequestering Asphalt From Hydrogen Fuel Technology
Bill Gates visited climate tech startup Modern Hydrogen in Woodinville, Washington, where he helped fill a pothole using carbon-trapping asphalt made from solid carbon produced in hydrogen fuel creation. Modern Hydrogen develops methane pyrolysis reactors that convert natural gas into clean hydrogen and solid carbon for industrial uses, with demo reactors deployed to customers in Oregon and Miami.
AI Tinkerers Launches Toronto Chapter With 7,696 Members and Eight Global Meetups Ahead in April-May 2024
AI Tinkerers is rapidly growing with 7,696 active members worldwide and eight global meetups planned in the next month, including a highly anticipated launch in Toronto. The network features members from leading tech companies and has seen 622 demos submitted, fostering numerous startup formations and cofounder relationships.
Munil Shah Joins Talkdesk as CTO; Ajay Nair Hired by Elastic; Libretto Raises $3.7M Led by Ex-Redfin Leaders
Munil Shah, former UiPath CTO with 23 years at Microsoft, joined Talkdesk as CTO amid growth in conversational AI; Ajay Nair, ex-Microsoft and AWS leader, joined Elastic as VP, while LLM startup Libretto, led by former Redfin executives, secured $3.7 million funding.
Breakwater's Peter Mueller Identifies Missing 'Middle Layer' in Seattle Startup Funding, Discusses Ecosystem Challenges
Peter Mueller of Breakwater Ventures highlights Seattle's tech potential but points out a missing 'middle layer' of Series A-C startups due to cautious early-stage angel investing. He discusses these gaps and Breakwater's investment approach in a Startup Project podcast episode.
GeekWire Highlights: Amazon Protests, Tesla Cybertruck Test Drive, Veeam's $1.5B Revenue, OpenPipe's $6.7M Funding, and Washington's Fusion Power Support
GeekWire's most popular technology stories for the week of March 24, 2024, covered topics including Amazon protesters opposing fossil fuel use, Tesla Cybertruck test drives in Seattle, Veeam's headquarters move and revenue milestone, OpenPipe's $6.7M funding round, and Washington state's support for fusion power development.
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Ali Farhadi Executive, Former Allen Institute for AI CEO
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Bill Gates Executive, Former CEO, Co-founder
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Gaurav Sareen Executive, Chief Technology Officer - CAP
