Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Seattle’s Soundry AI Launches Text-to-Sample Generator to Revolutionize Music Creation with Y Combinator Support
Seattle-based Soundry AI, founded by Mark Buckler, Diandre Ruiz, and Justin Parus, has developed a text-to-sample generator that uses AI to help musicians create customizable music samples. The startup, part of Y Combinator's latest cohort, aims to simplify music creation and competes with companies like Suno AI and Splice by offering authentic, emotion-driven samples without copyright concerns.
University of Washington’s AgroFilms Wins $15,000 at 2023 Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge
University of Washington students competed in the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, with AgroFilms winning the $15,000 grand prize for their biodegradable solution. The event showcased innovative climate tech startups integrating various technologies to tackle environmental challenges.
Veeam Software Moves HQ to Kirkland, WA, Hits $1.5B+ Annual Recurring Revenue Amid Microsoft AI Partnership
Veeam Software relocated its headquarters from Ohio to Kirkland, Washington, to leverage the local cloud ecosystem and technical talent, following its acquisition by Insight Partners. The company, a leader in data protection and ransomware recovery with over $1.5 billion in annual recurring revenue, also extended its strategic AI partnership with Microsoft.
Jen Haller Named Partner at Ascend VC to Enhance Founder Support and Community Engagement
Jen Haller has been promoted to partner at Seattle-based pre-seed VC firm Ascend, expanding her role in operational guidance and community engagement for founders. The firm has over 80 portfolio companies, mostly in the Seattle area, and Haller is recognized for significantly enhancing Ascend's early-stage support offerings.
2024 GeekWire Awards CEO of the Year Finalists Include Leaders from Lexion, Common Room, Edge Delta, Statsig, and Mason
The 2024 GeekWire Awards CEO of the Year finalists are software veterans leading startups focused on enterprise solutions such as AI-powered contract management, data analysis, and A/B testing. These finalists include Gaurav Oberoi of Lexion, Linda Lian of Common Room, Ozan Unlu of Edge Delta, Vijaye Raji of Statsig, and Nancy Xiao of Mason.
Apptio Co-Founder Sunny Gupta Reflects on Building a $4.6 Billion Tech Business Following Key CIO Insight
Sunny Gupta, co-founder of Apptio, shared how a pivotal question from a CIO about managing technology costs inspired him to found the company, which pioneered Technology Business Management. Apptio went public in 2016, was acquired by Vista Equity Partners for nearly $2 billion in 2019, and then bought by IBM in a $4.6 billion deal in 2023.
Seattle Startup Round Shuts Down After $12M Series A as Tech Downturn and VC Model Challenges Loom
Seattle startup Round, which raised $12 million in Series A funding and quickly reached $1 million in annual recurring revenue, shut down due to challenges from the 2022 tech downturn and flaws in its venture-backed business model dependent on employer-sponsored memberships. CEO Ryan Fuller reflected on the risks of venture capital funding and the impact of macroeconomic factors despite investor support.
Bill Gates-backed TerraPower to Submit NRC Application and Break Ground on Natrium Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming in 2024
TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, is advancing the development and deployment of its Natrium small modular nuclear reactor, with plans to submit a certification application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission this month and begin construction of a demonstration plant in Wyoming this spring. The company is positioned to be the first to bring next-generation nuclear technology to the U.S. and is exploring potential large-scale sales internationally.
FUSE Leads $32M Series B in Seattle's Zuper, Highlighting India's Vital Role in Local Tech Innovation
FUSE, a Bellevue-based venture capital firm, led a $32 million Series B investment in Seattle-based software startup Zuper, which has a significant team presence in India. The cross-border collaboration between U.S. tech companies like Zuper and Icertis and their India-based engineering teams exemplifies the importance of India's talent pool to Seattle’s innovation ecosystem.
Former Microsoft Exec Yatharth Gupta’s Codified Raises $4M Seed to Advance AI-Powered Data Governance
Seattle startup Codified, founded by former Microsoft executive Yatharth Gupta, raised a $4 million seed round led by Madrona Venture Group to develop an AI-driven data governance platform. The company aims to simplify and improve internal data access management by enabling users to create data access rules in plain English, addressing industry challenges around data access complexity and security.
Madrona Leads Series Seed in Codified to Deliver AI-Powered Policy-Driven Data Governance
Madrona led a Series Seed investment in Codified, an AI-powered, policy-driven data governance platform founded by Yatharth Gupta, aiming to provide seamless, secure, least-privilege access to data amid rising privacy and security concerns.
Pioneer Square Labs and Mayfield Partner to Co-Invest $1.5M Minimum in AI Startups
Seattle's Pioneer Square Labs and Silicon Valley venture capital firm Mayfield have formed a partnership to co-invest at least $1.5 million in AI-focused startups spun out from PSL. This collaboration combines PSL's startup incubation with Mayfield's venture funding strength to accelerate AI technology ventures.
Techstars Seattle Accelerator Ends After Launching 160+ Startups and 3 Unicorns in Restructuring Move
Techstars Seattle, which launched over 160 startups and created three billion-dollar companies, announced its closure this week as part of a broader restructuring. The accelerator, operational since 2010, partnered with major firms like Microsoft and Amazon but is now shutting down to focus on cities with more venture capital activity.
Seattle-Based OpenTug Raises $3.1M Seed Round Led by Entrada Ventures to Expand Maritime Logistics Platform
Seattle-based marine transportation software platform OpenTug raised $3.1 million in seed funding led by Entrada Ventures. The funds will enhance OpenTug’s maritime marketplace and software to expand its network and support maritime logistics operations across U.S. waterways.
Techstars to Close Seattle Accelerator by Fall 2024, Shifting Focus to Cities with Higher VC Activity
Techstars announced it is shutting down its Seattle accelerator program by Fall 2024 to focus on cities with more robust venture capital activity like San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. The Seattle program, a foundational part of the local startup ecosystem since 2010, graduated over 200 companies that collectively raised more than $2.8 billion.
Techstars cuts executives and cancels flagship Seattle program as Y Combinator pulls ahead
Techstars, once a leading global accelerator, has been eclipsed by Y Combinator and is now facing executive departures, program closures, and the surprising termination of its flagship Seattle program; the article analyzes strategic choices that contributed to Techstars’ decline. The authors, familiar with Techstars through founding and running its Seattle program and corporate partnerships, offer an insiders’ view of decisions that strengthened YC while weakening Techstars.
Former Niantic GM Ross Finman Launches Augmodo to Use Spatial Computing for Retail Inventory Tracking
Ross Finman, former Niantic general manager, founded the Seattle startup Augmodo to use spatial computing and AI to help retailers track inventory and prevent product substitutions, inspired by the 2022 baby formula shortage. Augmodo employs advanced tech like computer vision and 3D mapping to solve retail inventory challenges.
Pathable Founder Jordan Schwartz Joins Vanlife Startup Sēkr as Chief Product Officer; Cole Brodman Named CEO of Opanga Networks
Jordan Schwartz, co-founder of Pathable, joined San Diego vanlife startup Sēkr as chief product officer, while Cole Brodman became CEO of Seattle-based Opanga Networks. Additionally, UW professor Aylin Caliskan was named co-director of the UW Tech Policy Lab.
IonQ Expands Bothell Quantum Computer Factory to 100,000 Sq Ft with $80M Investment Planned in 2024
IonQ has expanded its quantum computer factory in Bothell, Washington, increasing its space from 65,000 to 100,000 square feet and plans to invest about $80 million in the area this year as part of a $1 billion decade-long commitment. The facility, the first dedicated quantum computer manufacturing center in the U.S., hosts research, development, and a second quantum data center.
Breakwater Ventures Launches $10M Fund to Back Early-Stage Pacific Northwest Startups
Breakwater Ventures, a new Seattle-based pre-seed and seed investment firm founded by former SeaChange investors, has raised $10 million to support early-stage software startups primarily in the Pacific Northwest. The firm aims to fill a gap in initial funding for startups and is already deploying capital from its first fund.
Ex-Amazon and Airbnb Engineers Raise $1.25M for Seattle Startup Cimba.ai to Develop Enterprise AI Agents
Seattle startup Cimba.ai, founded by ex-Amazon and Airbnb engineers, raised $1.25 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI agents that help businesses generate actionable insights from internal data. The company integrates large language models with business-specific content to optimize operations such as ad campaigns and customer management.
Seattle Tech Leaders Dave Cotter, Johanna Faries, and Marie Donoghue Take New Roles at D3 Advisors, Blizzard, and DraftKings
Dave Cotter, former Leafly chief product officer and ex-Amazon executive, launched advisory firm D3 Advisors to consult startups and VCs. Other Seattle tech moves include Johanna Faries becoming Blizzard Entertainment president and Marie Donoghue joining DraftKings as chief business officer.
Seattle Startup Statsig Debuts 200+ Billboard Campaign in San Francisco to Promote Advanced Product Experimentation Tools
Seattle-based startup Statsig launched a major advertising campaign with over 200 billboards in San Francisco to raise its profile in Silicon Valley, promoting its enhanced product experimentation tools. Founded by Vijaye Raji, the company aims to demonstrate Seattle startups’ influence beyond the Pacific Northwest with messages targeting product teams that value rigorous A/B testing.
Zin Boats Raises $1.275 Million to Relaunch High-Performance Electric Speed Boats in 2024
Zin Boats, a Seattle-based electric speed boat company, overcame pandemic challenges and raised $1.275 million in seed funding to advance its electric boating technology and prepare for a significant 2024 relaunch. The company aims to compete in the growing electric boating market with its high-performance, zero-emission boats.
Seattle Cybersecurity Startup Oleria Raises $33.1M Series A to Expand Team and Launch Access Management Software
Seattle cybersecurity startup Oleria raised $33.1 million in a Series A round to expand its team threefold and advance its software that automates management of employee access to enterprise applications and data. The company, co-founded by Jim Alkove and Jagadeesh Kunda, targets large enterprises and plans a product launch in the coming months amid growing concerns about AI-driven cybersecurity threats.
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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
