Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Dan Lewis - CEO at Convoy
Chris Yeh is co-author with Reid Hoffman of the New York Times bestselling book Blitzscaling Blitzscaling is the most impactful and widely recognized entrepreneurship book of our generation. It’s taught in businesses schools at Stanford, Harvard and Yale *Read Bill Gates’ recommendation* https://www.linkedin.com/posts/williamhgates_introducing-blitzscaling-activity-6455828828068601857-YoIp *Take the Stanford Course which Chris gave with Reid Hoffman, Founder of LinkedIn* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RrVmv5WwA *Learn about Blitzscaling in Harvard Business Review* https://hbr.org/2016/04/blitzscaling --- *We're eager to hear from you* Post your thoughts on LinkedIn and tag @blitzscalingyourself, @chrisyeh, @juliennewman or @jeremyhaddock *Check out our website* www.blitzscalingyourself *Buy the book on Amazon* https://amzn.to/3t4UCj6 *Subscribe on Apple Podcasts* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blitzscaling-yourself-with-chris-yeh/id1641765948…
Ex-Washington Senator Reuven Carlyle Launches Earth Finance Startup, Raises $14M for Climate Solutions
Former Washington State Senator Reuven Carlyle has launched Earth Finance, a climate consulting and finance startup that has secured $14 million in seed funding. The company aims to help businesses develop climate plans that align with financial goals through strategy, finance, and technology services.
Glowforge Launches Magic Canvas AI Image Generator for 3D Laser Printing Creations
Glowforge launched Magic Canvas, an AI-powered image generator that creates artwork from text prompts optimized for 3D laser printing on materials like wood and acrylic. The tool simplifies the design process by producing copyright-free images ready for engraving and cutting.
Microsoft Veteran Kevin Wang Launches Mentors in Tech Program Supporting Community College Students in Tech Careers
Kevin Wang, a Microsoft veteran, founded Mentors in Tech (MinT) to support community college students pursuing tech careers by connecting them with mentors and internships. The program has engaged nearly 500 students nationally, aiming to address workforce diversity and skill shortages by helping overlooked, underserved students gain entry into the tech industry.
Transparent Path Uses Intel IoT Sensors and AI to Predict Food Spoilage and Support Hunger Relief
Seattle-based Transparent Path uses Intel-powered IoT sensors and AI to monitor perishable food shipments, assigning freshness scores to prevent spoilage and support hunger relief efforts. The company charges a fee per shipment and has helped nonprofits provide over 100,000 meals by saving food at risk.
Lexion's Gaurav Oberoi on Applying AI to Change an Industry
In this week's IA40 Spotlight Episode of Founded & Funded, Investor Elisa La Cava talks to Lexion Co-founder and CEO Gaurav Oberoi. Lexion was one of the first spinouts from AI2, and Madrona invested in the first round the company raised in 2019. Like many companies that come from AI2 – Lexion is focused on applying AI to change an industry. Specifically, Lexion helps legal teams at enterprises manage contracts – and they are one of the companies that have added features using OpenAI's GPT technology.
Kirill Zubovsky Launches Smartynames AI Tool Generating Over 1 Million Domain Name Suggestions Since December 2023
Startup founder Kirill Zubovsky created Smartynames, an AI-powered tool using OpenAI's GPT-3, that generates available domain name suggestions from business descriptions. Since its December launch, the tool has generated over one million domain name suggestions and plans to expand its AI offerings for businesses.
How AI's new era is inspiring one startup founder
This podcast features Kirill Zubovsky, a startup founder and consultant, who is now working with AI to create applications. He talks about his journey over the past few months with AI, his experience with generative AI and GPT-3, and the application of AI he has been working on, Smartynames, a domain and business name finder. He also talks about his experience living in a van with his two kids and two pets and his thoughts on the current "App Store moment" for artificial intelligence. (This summary was produced by SwellAI.com based on its AI analysis of the content in this…
Snapbar CEO Sam Eitzen Leads Pivot from Physical Booths to Global Virtual Photo Booth App, Doubling Revenue Multiple Times Since 2020
Snapbar, originally a physical photo booth company, pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to launch a virtual photo booth web application called Snapshot, which rapidly grew to become its primary revenue source and expanded its customer base globally. CEO Sam Eitzen credits this strategic shift with doubling the company's revenue multiple times and transitioning Snapbar from a regional startup to a worldwide tech business.
Group14 Technologies Raises $648M to Develop Silicon-Carbon Battery Anodes, Valued Over $3 Billion
Group14 Technologies, valued at over $3 billion, is developing next-generation silicon-carbon battery anodes in Woodinville, Washington, aiming to improve power and charging speeds for batteries. Backed by investors like Porsche and Microsoft, the startup has raised over $648 million and federal support exceeding $100 million.
Seattle Interviewing Startup Karat Lays Off 47 Employees to Invest in Growth and New Products
Seattle startup Karat, known for conducting technical interviews, laid off 47 employees to focus resources on expanding its enterprise customer base, scaling programs, and developing new products. The company reached unicorn status in October 2021 after raising $110 million but is now restructuring teams to support self-funded growth initiatives.
Ex-Lululemon CTO Kristie D'Ambrosio-Correll Joins Seattle Startup Littlebird as CTO and Co-Founder; Microsoft AI Ethics Leader Mira Lane Joins Google
Kristie D'Ambrosio-Correll, former Lululemon Studio CTO, joined Seattle startup Littlebird as CTO and co-founder; Mira Lane, ex-Microsoft AI ethics leader, joined Google as senior director on the technology and society team.
Founders’ Co-op celebrates 15 years, reflecting on 2008 founding and mission to fund Pacific Northwest technical founders
Founders’ Co-op marks its 15th year, reflecting on founding in 2008 and its mission to build a day-zero launchpad for technical founders in the Pacific Northwest and connect them to Series A+ capital. The partners describe learning the hard lessons of venture investing—how VC’s long, deliberate cycles and irrevocable decisions differ from startup speed and scale.
Seattle Startup Esper Cuts 21% of Staff Amid 2023 Business Uncertainty Following $100M Funding
Seattle startup Esper laid off 21% of its workforce in its second reduction within seven months, citing an unpredictable 2023 business environment despite strong 2022 growth. Founded by Yadhu Gopalan and Shiv Sundar, Esper offers a DevOps platform for managing Android device fleets and has raised $100 million to date.
Ex-Apple Engineers Launch Seattle's XetHub with $7.5M Seed to Accelerate AI Application Development
Seattle-based startup XetHub, founded by three former Apple engineers, raised $7.5 million in seed funding to develop a data storage platform for AI and machine learning application developers. The company aims to streamline code writing and deployment for intelligent applications, targeting businesses adopting AI beyond major tech players.
Point72 Private Investments Expands Seattle Team to Invest in Local Tech Startups Across Funding Stages
Point72 Private Investments, led by partner Sri Chandrasekar, is expanding its venture capital presence in Seattle with plans to grow its team and invest in tech startups at various funding stages. The firm, drawn by Seattle's tech talent and undercapitalized market, aims to support companies from early funding rounds through Series D.
Washington State Tech Companies Including Amazon, HaptX, and Elektrobit Showcase Innovations at CES 2023 in Las Vegas
CES 2023 is returning to Las Vegas with about 100,000 expected attendees, featuring a range of Washington state companies from startups to giants like Amazon showcasing innovations in tech fields such as AR/VR, IoT, automotive software, and more. GeekWire highlights key exhibitors including Amazon, Ant Reality, Bluetooth SIG, Elektrobit, HaptX, and Heybike among others.
SirionLabs Raises $25M More in Series D, Totaling $110M to Enhance AI-Powered Contract Management
SirionLabs, a Seattle-based contract lifecycle management startup, raised an additional $25 million in its Series D round, totaling $110 million. The company uses AI and natural language processing to manage contracts and plans to invest in product innovation and enterprise integrations.
Seattle Startups Uplevel and Volt Athletics Report Productivity Boost and Revenue Gains from Four-Day Workweek Trials
Seattle startups Uplevel and Volt Athletics found that adopting a four-day workweek increased productivity and employee wellbeing without hurting business performance. Uplevel saw higher product delivery and customer onboarding during their three-month trial, while a global study reported a 38% average revenue increase among companies piloting the shorter week.
Seattle Couple Launch Group B Labs with Bubbe, a High-Tech Baby Bottle for Perfect Milk Temperature
Seattle couple Illi and Olivia Eisner co-founded Group B Labs to develop Bubbe, a high-tech baby bottle that keeps breastmilk or formula cold and quickly heats to the perfect temperature, addressing common parent frustrations. Illi brings over a decade of hardware experience from major tech companies, while Olivia is a certified nurse midwife and lactation consultant.
Bill Gates Embraces Grandfather Role in 2023, Highlights Global Health and Climate Challenges in Annual Essay
Bill Gates reflects on becoming a grandfather in 2023 and emphasizes his focus on combating global challenges such as childhood disease, climate change, and education through his philanthropic work. Despite personal struggles, he remains optimistic about solving major problems and advancing clean energy innovation.
Seattle Officials Question Tech Industry's Role in Addressing Housing and Inequality Amid Meta's Regional Expansion and Layoffs
Tech companies like Meta have significantly boosted Seattle's economy and employment but are also criticized for contributing to income inequality and housing issues. Local officials discussed whether these companies are doing enough to address these regional challenges at a Seattle Metro Chamber event featuring Meta's Pacific Northwest head Paresh Rajwat.
Seattle Startups Karat and Common Room Hire New Execs; Microsoft Veteran Peter Petesch Departs After 32 Years
Seattle startups Karat and Common Room have hired new executives, with Karat appointing Scott Bonneau as EVP of operations and product, and Amy Sennett as general counsel, while Common Room brought on Matt Duchesne as VP of sales. Additionally, longtime Microsoft engineering leader Peter Petesch departed after 32 years, and Seattle-based Skytap hired Rahul Tripathi as chief product and technology officer.
Group14 Raises $214M from Microsoft Climate Fund Amid $400M Series C and $100M Federal Boost, Valued Over $3B
Group14 Technologies, a Washington-based battery materials manufacturer, raised $214 million from investors including Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, adding to a $400 million Series C investment and $100 million in federal funding. The company, valued at over $3 billion, develops silicon-carbon composite anodes that enhance lithium-ion battery performance and is poised to benefit from growing EV sales and federal mandates to boost domestic battery production.
Former Starbucks Exec Adam Brotman and Investor Andy Sack Raise $10M for Forum3 to Expand NFT Loyalty Tech
Seattle tech veterans Adam Brotman and Andy Sack raised $10 million to launch Forum3, a startup offering NFT-based customer engagement tech designed to simplify blockchain use for consumer brands. Forum3 aims to provide a white-labeled version of Starbucks' NFT loyalty program, Odyssey, removing cryptocurrency barriers for users.
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
