Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Temporal Founders Bet on Open Source and Developers to Enable Invincible Applications
Madrona Managing Director Soma Somasegar hosts Temporal Co-Founders Samar Abbas and Maxim Fateev in studio. Temporal was founded in 2019 based on an open-source microservices orchestration engine project but is the result of a more than decade-long partnership between the two co-founders that spanned their time working on different iterations of the same thing at AWS, Microsoft, and Uber. In this episode, Soma, Samar, and Maxim dive into the challenges of building an open-source ecosystem while also working on a commercial offering and scaling a successful company, how to navigate and adjust a product roadmap in an ever-changing world of…
Devin Lammers Named CEO of TerraClear to Drive Growth After $15M Series A for Rock-Clearing AI Technology
Devin Lammers was appointed CEO of TerraClear, a rock-mapping and picking startup, to lead its market expansion following a $15 million Series A funding round. TerraClear develops AI-driven technology to help farmers remove large rocks from fields, addressing a common agricultural challenge.
Mars Society Advances Seattle Startup Incubator Targeting AI and Biotech to Develop Technologies for Mars Colonies
The Mars Society is advancing plans to launch a startup incubator in Seattle focused on AI and biotechnology to develop technologies for Mars settlements. The incubator, modeled after Y Combinator, aims to generate profits and licenses from innovations supporting a future Mars colony.
Mars Society Hosts 27th Annual Convention in Seattle Highlighting Commercial Space Startups and Mars Technology Institute Plans
The Mars Society's 27th annual convention in Seattle gathers hundreds to discuss Mars exploration, emphasizing commercial space startups and announcing plans for a Mars Technology Institute to foster innovation and investment in space technologies.
Microsoft, Amazon, AI, the economy, and another bad tech ad
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we take a closer look at the earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon this week, as a litmus test for artificial intelligence demand and the state of the economy. We also consider the implications of Boeing's new CEO being based in the Seattle region, discuss a new AI tool that aims to streamline marketing tasks, and weigh in on the backlash to Google's Olympics ad for its Gemini AI chatbot Microsoft capital spending soars to $19B, betting big on AI, as Azure growth underwhelms Wall Street Amazon sales come up short, profits nearly double…
Seattle's AI2 Incubator to Open 'AI House' Downtown with $800K State Support to Boost AI Startup Ecosystem
Seattle's AI2 Incubator is launching the 'AI House,' a new downtown hub for AI startups and entrepreneurs, supported by $800,000 in state funding and city leadership. The space aims to foster AI collaboration and help revitalize Seattle's downtown economy.
Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures Raises $839 Million New Fund for Climate Innovation
Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures is raising a new $839 million fund focused on climate innovations across electricity, transportation, manufacturing, buildings, and agriculture. Since its 2015 launch with industry leaders like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, the initiative has invested nearly $2 billion in over 100 companies.
Pioneer Square Labs Assembles Expert Technical Advisory Board Featuring Seattle Tech Leaders to Support Early-Stage Startups
Pioneer Square Labs has formed a new Technical Advisory Board comprising leading technology researchers, executives, and startup veterans to support its early-stage startups, with a focus on AI and technology innovation. The board includes prominent figures from the University of Washington, Microsoft, Google, and other notable tech companies.
Seattle Startup Forum3 Launches Spok, an AI Marketing Assistant Powered by GPT-4 for SMBs
Seattle startup Forum3, founded by former Starbucks exec Adam Brotman and investor Andy Sack, launched Spok, an AI marketing assistant designed to streamline competitive analysis and content creation for small and medium-sized businesses using GPT-4 and custom marketing data.
Seattle Tech Week Returns July 29 with Focus on AI Innovation and Healthcare, Backed by Madrona Ventures
Seattle Tech Week returns starting July 29, featuring panel discussions and networking events centered on AI innovations and healthcare advancements in the Seattle tech ecosystem, coordinated by Madrona Ventures and other sponsors. The event highlights Seattle’s strong presence in AI and biotech sectors with sessions led by local tech giants, researchers, and startups.
Chainguard Raises $140M Series C, Achieves $1.12B Valuation Becoming Seattle's Newest Cybersecurity Unicorn
Seattle-based cybersecurity startup Chainguard raised $140 million in a Series C round, reaching a $1.12 billion valuation and becoming a unicorn. Founded in 2021, the company focuses on securing software supply chains for major clients and has rapidly grown its customer base and revenue.
Seattle Startup Signify Raises $2.1M to Use AI for Simplifying Manufacturers' Regulatory Compliance
Seattle-based startup Signify, spun out from the AI2 Incubator, raised $2.1 million to develop AI-driven software that helps manufacturers manage complex regulatory compliance tasks. Led by CEO Martín Ramírez, the platform aims to streamline compliance processes for manufacturers facing evolving and diverse market regulations.
Trilogy Equity Partners' McCullough and Neeman Share AI-Driven Startup Investment Strategies on Shift AI Podcast
In this episode of the Shift AI Podcast, Trilogy Equity Partners' managing directors Amy McCullough and Yuval Neeman discuss their investment approach, the importance of authentic founder relationships, and how generative AI is transforming startups and the future of work.
Bloomberg Questions Scientific Validity and Internal Issues at Sam Altman-Backed Helion Energy Amid Fusion Power Ambitions
Bloomberg reports skepticism about Helion Energy's secretive fusion technology and ambitious commercial goals backed by Sam Altman and Microsoft, amid internal allegations of harassment. Helion aims to operate its seventh prototype reactor by year-end and build a commercial fusion plant by 2028, potentially the first worldwide.
Washington Leaders Visit Everett Fusion Startups as Industry Raises Over $900 Million in 2023 with Growing Policy Support
Washington state leaders Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray visited local fusion startups Helion Energy and Zap Energy amid a surge in fusion funding exceeding $900 million last year and growing policy support. Despite technological challenges, fusion is seen as a promising carbon-free energy source, with over $7.1 billion invested globally and new federal and state regulations advancing its development.
Bling Capital's Kyle Lui Critiques Seattle Startups for Low Ambition Compared to Bay Area
Kyle Lui, a longtime Silicon Valley venture capitalist and general partner at Bling Capital, says Seattle's startup ecosystem lacks ambitious founders aiming for large-scale industry leadership, favoring more modest, local outcomes instead. Lui believes this cautious mindset limits the growth of unicorns in Seattle compared to markets like the Bay Area and New York.
OpenAI wants NYT's notes; AI meets email; Startup vets eye EV charging marketplace
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we catch up on the latest twist in the New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft over the alleged use of its reporting to train GPT-4 and other large language models. The NYT is fighting OpenAI’s request to turn over reporters’ notes, interview memos, and other materials used to produce stories, to prove they were worthy of copyright. On a related topic, we take a closer listen to Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman's comments about AI and fair use at the Aspen Ideas Festival, which were more nuanced than some of the coverage…
Former OfferUp CEO Nick Huzar and Ex-Auth0 CEO Jon Gelsey Lead Juicer Energy in Launching Affordable Residential EV Charging Startup
Juicer Energy is a new Seattle-based startup led by former OfferUp CEO Nick Huzar and ex-Auth0 CEO Jon Gelsey, aiming to convert residential properties into affordable public EV charging stations. The company recently filed for a new investment round and offers a 'charge anywhere' experience via an app and EV charging devices installed at homes and apartments.
Seattle Legal Tech Startup Clearbrief Raises $4M to Boost AI Software for Lawyers
Seattle-based legal tech startup Clearbrief raised $4 million to enhance its AI-powered software that helps lawyers find, verify, and summarize facts in legal documents. The software, used by hundreds of law firms and Microsoft’s legal team, generates litigation exhibits and detects citation errors.
Former Amazon and Unity Exec Marc Whitten Named CEO of GM-Backed Self-Driving Company Cruise Amid Recovery
Marc Whitten, former chief product and technology officer at Unity Software and ex-Amazon and Microsoft executive, has been named CEO of Cruise, a GM-backed self-driving company facing recent operational setbacks. Whitten will relocate to Austin and lead Cruise as it recovers from safety incidents, executive departures, and layoffs.
Digital Youth Safety Startup k-ID Raises $45M Series A to Help Game Developers Comply with Global Age Regulations
k-ID, a Singapore and Seattle-based startup, raised $45 million in Series A funding to provide tools helping game developers comply with age-related regulations and enable parental control over children's online experiences. Their platform addresses international regulatory efforts on youth safety, such as restrictions on loot boxes and age assurance in various countries.
Tech Startups Shift to Profitability and Sustainable Growth Amid Tight 2023-2024 Venture Capital Market
Tech startups are shifting from growth-at-all-costs to focusing on profitability and efficient growth without relying on new investor funding amid tighter venture capital conditions and challenging market factors. This new approach, termed 'default alive,' emphasizes sustainable business models and cautious investment amid a decline in funding and more down rounds.
AI, VC, and the next big opportunity in tech, with 'Startup Project' host Nataraj Sindam
As the creator and host of the "Startup Project" podcast, Seattle-area tech senior product manager Nataraj Sindam talks with a wide range of investors and entrepreneurs, contributing to his broad perspective on the future of artificial intelligence, investing, startups, and business technology. He's also author of the Above Average email newsletter, and venture partner with Incisive Ventures. Our topics this week include: The opportunity to apply the power of large language models and generative AI to the larger world of business-to-business applications, including services tailored to workflows in specific industry verticals. How AI will drive a massive increase in data…
Chris Bee Joins AI Email Startup Superhuman as CTO; Getty Images Founder Departs Board; Xbox Veteran Larry Hryb Joins Unity
Chris Bee, formerly CTO at Lessen, has joined AI email startup Superhuman as CTO to help expand its enterprise offerings, while several other tech executives changed roles across Pacific Northwest companies. Notably, Getty Images founder Jonathan Klein left the board, and Xbox veteran Larry Hryb joined Unity as director of community.
Collaborative Robotics Hires Former Amazon AI Leader Michael Vogelsong, Opens Seattle Office Following $100M Series B Round
Collaborative Robotics, after raising $100 million in Series B funding, has hired former Amazon AI leader Michael Vogelsong to lead its new Foundation Models AI team at a new Seattle office. This expansion highlights Seattle's growing prominence as an AI hub and advances in robotics technology.
People
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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
