Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Augment AI, Led by Napster Co-Founder Jordan Ritter, Launches Private Beta of AI-Powered Productivity Tools After $3.5M Seed Round
Seattle startup Augment AI, spun out of AI2 and led by Napster co-founder Jordan Ritter, has launched a private beta of its AI-powered productivity sidekick designed to take meeting notes and organize research. The company raised $3.5 million in seed funding and offers two apps, Meeting Augment and Memory Augment, to enhance workflow integration with tools like Zoom.
Seattle Startup Taqtile Raises $5M to Expand AR Job Training Software Across Global Enterprise Sectors
Seattle-based AR startup Taqtile raised $5 million to expand hiring and marketing for its Manifest software, which provides mixed reality job training to enterprise clients globally across multiple sectors. The funding will support its partner ecosystem amid growing labor shortages and retirement trends increasing demand for employee training technology.
GeekWire Summit to Feature Microsoft, Magic Leap, and Senator Maria Cantwell Oct. 6-7 in Seattle on Tech Innovations and Policy
The GeekWire Summit, held October 6-7 in Seattle, features notable speakers from tech and politics including Microsoft’s Jaime Teevan and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. The conference will cover topics such as augmented reality, AI, cybersecurity, and economic trends, with options to attend in person or online.
Seattle Startup Spice AI Raises $13.5M Seed Round to Build AI Infrastructure for Web3 Blockchain Applications
Seattle-based startup Spice AI raised a $13.5 million seed round to provide infrastructure for developers to build AI-driven applications on blockchain networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The platform indexes blockchain data for use in Web3 applications across sectors including financial services, fraud detection, and retail.
Seattle AI Startup Falkon Raises $16M to Enhance Sales and Marketing Analytics
Seattle-based startup Falkon, which uses AI to generate sales and marketing recommendations by integrating data from platforms like Salesforce and Google Analytics, has raised $16 million to expand its team and customer base. Founded in 2019 by tech veterans including CEO Mona Akmal, the company currently serves 15 customers with pricing up to $100,000.
Seattle Tech Veterans Dan Marx and Rob Einaudi Launch BikeList to Disrupt Online Bike and Parts Market
BikeList is a new peer-to-peer online marketplace for bicycles and parts launched by Seattle tech veterans Dan Marx and Rob Einaudi in May, aiming to compete with platforms like eBay and Craigslist. With extensive tech backgrounds including work at CarDomain, Amazon, and Expedia, the founders combine bike enthusiasm and engineering expertise to grow the platform.
ExtraHop Hires Four New Executives After $900M Bain Capital Acquisition; Madrona and USAFacts Also Name Key Leaders
Seattle-based cybersecurity company ExtraHop, recently acquired for $900 million by Bain Capital and Crosspoint Capital, appointed four new executives including CFO Matt Parson and CMO Christine Nurnberger. Other regional tech moves include Madrona Venture Group hiring a new managing director and USAFacts appointing Michelle Broderick as CMO.
Madrona Venture Group Opens Silicon Valley Office to Expand Investments Beyond Pacific Northwest
Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group is expanding beyond the Pacific Northwest by opening its first Silicon Valley office to increase investments outside its home region. Since 2019, the firm has raised over $261 million for an acceleration fund targeting more mature companies across North America, with about 15% of its portfolio now outside the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Startup GetGreen Launches App to Help Users and Businesses Combat Climate Change via Carbon Tracking and Gamified Sustainable Actions
Seattle startup GetGreen, founded in 2020 by Brian Ringer and Jed Stafford, offers an app that encourages individuals and organizations to combat climate change through sustainable actions, tracking carbon emissions reductions via a gamified system. The platform also provides customized sustainability challenges for businesses, with fees based on size and customization.
Ex-Amazon VP Andrew Hamel Joins Booster as CTO Amid Multiple Pacific Northwest Tech Executive Moves
Andrew Hamel, former Amazon VP, joined mobile energy startup Booster as CTO, bringing extensive tech leadership experience. Several other Pacific Northwest tech firms also made key executive hires, including 1Password, Peek, Pie Insurance, Paymentus, and Opendoor.
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raises $750M to develop advanced nuclear reactors and medical tech
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raised $750 million in one of Seattle's largest private funding rounds to develop safer nuclear reactors and medical applications. The company is partnering with GE-Hitachi and funded partly by the U.S. DOE for a 500 MW demonstration reactor planned for Wyoming by 2028.
Amarjit Kaur Sandhu joins Ozette as VP of Engineering; AWS marketing chief Rachel Thornton to depart after 10 years
Amarjit Kaur Sandhu joined Ozette Technologies as vice president of engineering, bringing experience from Nuance Communications and Saykara. Additionally, AWS executive Rachel Thornton is leaving, and various leadership moves across Pacific Northwest tech firms have been announced.
Tom Alberg, Early Amazon Investor and Seattle Tech Champion, Dies at 82
Tom Alberg, a Seattle business leader and early Amazon investor who was pivotal in Pacific Northwest tech growth and co-founded Madrona Venture Group, died peacefully at 82. He was also notable for his roles in aerospace law, McCaw Cellular Communications, and helping launch the Alliance of Angels.
Christie's Launches Venture Arm Led by Seattle's Devang Thakkar to Invest in Web3 and Art Tech Startups
Christie's has launched a new venture capital arm to fund early-stage tech startups in Web3, fintech for the art market, and AR/VR art experiences, led globally by Seattle-based Devang Thakkar. This move follows the auction house's notable involvement in NFTs, including facilitating Beeple's $69.3 million sale, amid a cooling NFT market now seen as an opportune investment period.
Seattle Startup Shelf Engine Lays Off 43 Employees Amid Economic Challenges
Seattle startup Shelf Engine laid off 43 employees due to challenging economic conditions, reducing its workforce from about 200 to around 150. The company, which uses machine learning to help grocers manage orders and reduce food waste, continues pursuing its mission despite the cuts.
Rajat Bahri Named CFO of Icertis Amid $5 Billion Valuation; Pacific Northwest Tech Firms Announce Key Executive Hires
Rajat Bahri, former CFO of ID.me, has joined Icertis as CFO, replacing Curt Anderson, amid recent investments valuing Icertis at $5 billion. Additionally, several key tech and startup executives have taken new roles across Pacific Northwest companies including CommerceIQ, Waabi, Limeade, and AdaptX.
Seattle Startup Likewise Launches 'The Likewise Arcade' with Bill Gates-Backed $15M to Gamify Movie and TV Streaming
Seattle-based startup Likewise launched 'The Likewise Arcade,' a game platform featuring movie and TV content games like Moviedle and Posterdle, partnering with 12:01 Games. Backed by Bill Gates with $15 million investment, Likewise aims to gamify streaming entertainment by leveraging the popularity of games like Wordle.
Seattle Startup Peer Raises $14M to Build Blockchain Social Network with NFT Monetization and Cryptocurrency
Seattle startup Peer raised $14 million to develop a blockchain-based social network where users can own and monetize content as NFTs, backed by its own cryptocurrency, Peer Metaverse Coin. The company is in beta with 20,000 users and plans to expand into hardware and AI as part of its long-term goals.
Seattle Rises to No. 9 Globally in Startup Genome Rankings with $8.5B VC Investment in 2021
Seattle ranked ninth globally and second in North America in Startup Genome's 2021 global startup ecosystem rankings, highlighted for strengths in AI, big data, and life sciences. The region saw $8.5 billion invested in 549 venture capital deals in 2021, with an estimated ecosystem value of approximately $109 billion.
Echodyne Secures $135M Funding Led by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford to Expand Next-Gen Radar Production
Echodyne, a radar technology company backed by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford, secured $135 million in funding to expand production of its advanced radar systems used in drones, law enforcement, and infrastructure monitoring. The funding boosts its total investment to $195 million as it prepares to launch its next-generation radar with triple the range of its current product.
Seattle VC Chris DeVore: Enterprise Software Startups in Pacific Northwest Poised for Resilience Amid Economic Downturn
Seattle's startup scene, centered on enterprise software and cloud infrastructure, may be more resilient during economic downturns according to VC Chris DeVore of Founders' Co-op. The region's focus on solving essential business problems positions its startups to endure better than those in more glamorous sectors.
Seattle Startup JetClosing to Shut Down on June 15 After Six Years Digitizing Home Closing Process
JetClosing, a Seattle startup founded in 2016 to digitize the home closing process using technology, is shutting down on June 15, 2022. The company struggled amid a cooling housing market and strong competition despite offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent services.
Flying Fish Launches Alberta Office with Tiffany Linke-Boyko, Secures $7.5M from Alberta Enterprise; Panopto Names Tobias Hartmann CEO
Flying Fish appointed Tiffany Linke-Boyko as principal to lead its new Alberta office, its first outside Seattle, backed by a $7.5 million investment from Alberta Enterprise Corporation within a $70 million fund. Additionally, Panopto hired Tobias Hartmann as CEO to lead its enterprise video platform company based in Seattle.
Qualtrics Survey Finds 88% of U.S. Startup Leaders Concerned About Fundraising, Slowing Hiring Growth in 2024
A recent Qualtrics survey reveals 88% of U.S. startup leaders are worried about fundraising amid economic turmoil, leading many to slow hiring growth and focus on retaining employees through higher pay and bonuses.
Michael Stocks Discusses Scaling Global Business at Startup Daily & Microsoft Event; Linktree Powers 25M Creators with 1B Monthly Profile Views
Michael Stocks spoke at the Startup Daily and Microsoft event about scaling a global business. Linktree supports over 25 million creators who collectively receive more than a billion profile views each month.
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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
