Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Techstars Seattle's demise leaves a gap in startup market
Techstars Seattle helped launch more than 160 startups over the past decade, partnered with the likes of Microsoft and Amazon to spark even more startups, and led to the creation of three companies currently valued at more than $1 billion — making it one of the most successful programs in the Techstars network. Founded in 2006 in Boulder, Colo., Techstars provides fledgling startups with early capital, coaching, mentorship, a chance to pitch to investors, and an opportunity to work for three months in a shared space with other entrepreneurs. Techstars expanded to Seattle in 2010, and for more than a…
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.
Investor Spotlight: A Conversation with Madrona's Soma Somasegar
Hear from Madrona Managing Director Soma Somasegar as he discusses his path to venture capital by way of 27 years at Microsoft. He shares invaluable insights about what he looks for in a founder, the importance of passion in founders, the state of cloud technology, and the future of AI and Startups. Tim also shares Madrona's core principles, his favorite books for entrepreneurs, and his personal interests outside of work, including his passion for outdoor sports and the nonprofit Global Partnerships. This chat is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for insights into the venture capital world or strategies to…
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.
Techstars Seattle Demo Day 2024 Unveils 24 Startups Poised to Rival 2011 Unicorn Trio Including Discoverist and TalkStack AI
The 2024 Techstars Seattle Demo Day showcased 24 startups, with experts optimistic that this cohort could rival the successful 2011 group that included three billion-dollar companies. Notable startups like Discoverist and TalkStack AI are leveraging AI for personalized retail recommendations and conversation analysis, respectively.
Fullcast Raises $34M, Moves HQ from Seattle to Salt Lake City with New CEO Ryan Westwood Leading Acquisition Strategy
Fullcast, a Seattle-founded revenue operations software startup, will relocate to Salt Lake City after raising $34 million in a new investment round led by Epic Ventures. The company is now led by Ryan Westwood and former Simplus executives, with plans to actively acquire other go-to-market firms and merge them into Fullcast's platform.
Pacvue Names Ex-Microsoft Leader Zhenbin Xu as Chief Product Officer Amid Multiple Seattle Tech Hires and Board Additions
Pacvue hired Zhenbin Xu, a former Microsoft leader, as chief product officer and recently added another Microsoft veteran, Sunava Dutta, as SVP of product. Other Seattle-area companies also made key hires and advisory appointments, including LeoStella, Adaptiva, WestRiver Group, Spectio, and Trilogy Equity Partners.
Kirkland Startup Steller Raises $5M to Launch AI-Enhanced 'Trips' Feature Combining Human and Machine Travel Insights
Steller, a Kirkland-based travel tech startup, raised $5 million to launch its 'Trips' feature, combining human travel insights with AI to enhance trip planning. Founded in 2014 and acquired in 2018 by its current team, the app leverages social media-style short videos and curated content to inspire and assist travelers.
Textio CEO Kieran Snyder Steps Down, Co-founder Jensen Harris Becomes CEO of Seattle AI Writing Startup
Kieran Snyder, co-founder and CEO of Seattle-based Textio, has stepped down to become chief scientist emeritus, with co-founder Jensen Harris taking over as CEO. Textio, founded in 2014, uses AI to reduce bias in workplace language and recently launched its fastest growing product, Textio Lift.
Symbiosys, led by ex-Google exec Bashar Kachachi, raises $9M Series A to modernize retail media advertising
Symbiosys, an adtech startup led by former Google and Microsoft exec Bashar Kachachi, raised $9 million in a Series A round to enhance collaboration between retailers and brands in the $45 billion retail media market. The company offers real-time analytics and collaborative bidding technology to optimize off-site product advertising.
Tagboard CEO Nate Peterson led turnaround to $6M ARR and closed $14.2M Series A in 2021 to scale cloud live-production tools
Nate Peterson, CEO of Tagboard, described his path from corporate roles at Microsoft and T-Mobile through startups and Privateer Holdings to joining Tagboard, where he led a turnaround and helped grow the company to $6M ARR before raising a $14.2M Series A in 2021. Tagboard pivoted from social-aggregation displays to cloud-based live production tools (Tagboard Producer and Cloud Graphics), now serving 500+ media brands, powering major live events, and delivering hundreds of billions of impressions annually.
Sandbox VR's 'Squid Game Virtuals' Generates $4.5M in Two Months Amid Growing VR Arcade Expansion
Sandbox VR, a startup with over 45 locations worldwide, offers group VR experiences including the popular 'Squid Game Virtuals' based on the hit Netflix show, generating $4.5 million in two months. Despite the fun and advanced technology, virtual reality has yet to achieve mainstream adoption.
Salesforce-Backed Cybersecurity Startup Oleria Raises $30 Million Following $8 Million Seed Round
Seattle cybersecurity startup Oleria, backed by Salesforce Ventures and led by former Salesforce chief trust officer Jim Alkove, is raising an additional $30 million according to a recent SEC filing. The company recently emerged from stealth with an $8 million seed round and features leadership with significant industry experience.
Microsoft, Google, and LevelTen Energy Form Granular Certificate Trading Alliance to Create 24/7 Clean Energy Marketplace
Microsoft, Google, LevelTen Energy, and others launched the Granular Certificate Trading Alliance, a marketplace enabling buyers to purchase 24/7 carbon-free energy verified by granular certificates. This initiative supports diverse clean energy sources beyond solar and wind to supply continuous carbon-free power.
Seattle-based Field Operations Software Startup Zuper Raises $32M Series B Led by FUSE, Total Funding Hits $46.1M
Zuper, a Seattle-based field operations software startup founded in 2018, raised $32 million in a Series B funding round led by FUSE, bringing total funding to $46.1 million. The company, led by CEO Anand Subbaraj, serves multiple industries and has offices in Seattle and India.
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
