Microsoft
Facts
- HQ
- NASDAQ:MSFT
- Sectors
- Technology, Workplace tools, Cloud
- Founded
- 1975
- Employees
- 221000
- Stage
- Public
Former GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke Raises $60M Seed for Entire, a $300M-Valued AI Developer Platform
Thomas Dohmke, former GitHub CEO, launched Entire, a developer platform aimed at AI coding agents, backed by a historic $60 million seed round valuing the company at $300 million. Entire’s first open-source tool, Checkpoints, helps teams audit AI-generated code, supporting AI agents like Anthropic's Claude Code and Google's Gemini CLI.
Amazon Announces $200 Billion AI Infrastructure Investment Amid Microsoft Market Value Drop and AI Industry Insights from Oren Etzioni
Amazon plans $200 billion in capital expenses this year mainly to expand AI infrastructure, while Microsoft experiences a significant market value drop due to OpenAI reliance. AI expert Oren Etzioni discusses AI agents, deepfakes, and AI industry dynamics in a GeekWire Podcast interview.
OpenAI Expands Bellevue Office to 296,000 Sq Ft, Strengthening Seattle-Area Presence Near Microsoft and Amazon
OpenAI has signed a large lease to expand its Bellevue office to nearly 300,000 square feet, allowing space for over 1,000 employees as it strengthens ties with Microsoft and Amazon in the Seattle region. The expansion follows recent investments and partnerships, including a $38 billion cloud deal with Amazon and a $1 billion acquisition of Seattle startup Statsig.
Startup Founders Nour Gajial and Avi Agola Relocate from Seattle to San Francisco to Boost AI Ventures
Several early-stage startup founders, including Nour Gajial of MathGPT and Avi Agola of Talunt, are relocating from Seattle to San Francisco to leverage its dense AI startup ecosystem, investor networks, and customer base amid the AI boom. Despite Seattle’s strengths as a global AI hub, entrepreneurs see San Francisco as essential for scaling and maximizing success.
Seattle Startup Arrived Proposes Fan-Based Private Equity Stake in $8 Billion Seattle Seahawks
Seattle startup Arrived is proposing a fan-based private equity model allowing everyday investors to collectively buy a minority stake in the Seattle Seahawks, leveraging NFL rules permitting private equity stakes. The initiative targets gathering 100,000+ fans to invest small amounts, aiming for a 3%-10% ownership share amid potentially an $8 billion team valuation.
Icertis Co-founder and Former CEO Samir Bodas Dies at 61 After Battling Cancer
Samir Bodas, co-founder and former CEO of Icertis, passed away at 61 after battling cancer, leaving behind a legacy of leadership that emphasized team success over individual accolades. His close friendships, including with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, reflected his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to fostering company culture rooted in personal values.
Amazon Leo VP Steve Rabuchin Retires; Madrona Partner Jon Turow Joins Anthropic; Meta's Hrvoje Benko Exits Amid Layoffs
Steve Rabuchin retired after over 20 years at Amazon, including leading Project Kuiper, while Jon Turow left Madrona to join Anthropic's technical team. Additionally, Hrvoje Benko departed Meta Reality Labs amid layoffs affecting 331 employees in Washington state.
Seattle Startup AZX Raises $6M to Develop Custom AI Solutions for Energy Sector Amid 10x Revenue Growth
AZX, a Bellevue-based startup founded by Seattle tech veterans, raised $6 million in a pre-seed round as its Q1 revenue grew tenfold year-over-year. The company builds custom AI solutions for energy and utility clients using advanced AI technologies integrated into existing systems.
Unsealed Documents Reveal AWS as OpenAI's Original Partner Before Microsoft; Satya Nadella Debuts New AI Catchphrase
Newly unsealed court documents reveal that Amazon Web Services was OpenAI's original partner before Microsoft, as discussed on the GeekWire Podcast. The episode also covers Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's new AI catchphrase, Elon Musk's comments on aliens, and developments in Seattle-area physical AI startups.
Seattle Startup Radar Features Four Early-Stage Tech Companies Including Axel AI and DrunR
Seattle's Startup Radar highlights four early-stage tech companies: Axel AI, which offers AI-powered retail media sales solutions; DrunR, a nutrition app focusing on personalized dining guidance; Eluum, and profileAPI, each innovating in distinct tech sectors.
Code.org Lays Off 18 Employees, Cuts Staff to 107 to Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
Seattle-based Code.org laid off 18 employees, reducing its staff to 107, to ensure long-term sustainability. The nonprofit, founded by Hadi and Ali Partovi, continues its mission to expand computer science education globally despite these cuts.
Anthony Bontrager: 2023 "Great Reset" became a rapid VC reinvention as AI upended valuations, governance, and scaling
Anthony Bontrager reflects on his January 2023 "Great Reset" forecast, saying venture capital not only corrected but transformed as AI accelerated a faster, larger shift than he expected. He highlights valuation bifurcation favoring AI narratives, intensified AI-focused due diligence and governance, a return to profitability, and predicts continued upheaval into 2026 after a 2023 purge and subsequent AI-driven divergence.
Seattle Fintech Plutus Raises $1.2M to Democratize Hedge Fund-Level Investing for Retail Clients
Seattle fintech startup Plutus raised $1.2 million to expand its investment marketplace that offers everyday investors access to hedge fund strategies. The company recently obtained its SEC Registered Investment Advisor license and is onboarding customers from its waitlist.
Stripe Executive Departs After 3+ Years to Launch New AI Venture with Former Microsoft and Meta Colleagues
After over three years at Stripe leading Revenue and Finance Automation, the author is leaving to start a new AI-focused venture with former colleagues from Microsoft, Meta, and Stripe. They helped build Stripe's leading billing system and tax growth platform supporting top AI companies.
Microsoft Acquires Seattle Data Analytics Startup Osmos to Integrate Autonomous Data Engineering into Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft has acquired Seattle-based startup Osmos to integrate its autonomous data engineering technology into Microsoft Fabric, enhancing data ingestion and preparation. Osmos will sunset its standalone products by January 2026 as its team joins Microsoft's Azure Data Analytics efforts.
2025 Tech Year-End: AI Boom, $80 Billion Bets, and Seattle's Shifting Job Landscape Highlight Industry's Brutal Realities
The year 2025 was pivotal in technology history, marked by AI's rapid ascent, significant investments, tech industry layoffs, and evolving job impacts, particularly in Seattle. Key perspectives from Bill Gates and Satya Nadella highlight AI's transformative nature and the industry's complex challenges and opportunities.
Seattle Data Governance Startup Codified Winds Down as CEO Yatharth Gupta Joins Google
Seattle data governance startup Codified is winding down as its founder and former CEO, Yatharth Gupta, takes a new role as director of product management at Google. The company, which raised $4 million in seed funding in February 2024 and developed AI-driven data access controls, provided no further details on the shutdown.
2025 GeekWire Gala Hosts 750+ Seattle Tech Enthusiasts with Robots and Honors 'Uncommon Thinkers' Innovators
The 2025 GeekWire Gala brought together over 750 members of Seattle's tech community at Showbox SoDo for an evening of celebration featuring robots, games, and networking. The event also honored the region’s 'Uncommon Thinkers,' recognizing innovative leaders from multiple tech companies.
Lumotive Opens Oman and Taiwan Offices to Commercialize $59M-Funded Miniaturized 3D Sensor Chips
Lumotive, after raising $59 million in venture capital, has opened offices in Oman and Taiwan to advance commercialization of its miniaturized 3D sensor chips. The company, specializing in lidar technology for robotics and other applications, has also expanded its management team with senior industry leaders.
Founder Institute Relaunches Seattle Accelerator with Local Leadership and In-Person Programs Starting March 2024
Founder Institute is relaunching its Seattle chapter with local leadership led by tech veteran Aniket Naravanekar to revive in-person mentorship, events, and funding opportunities for startups. The first new cohort starts in March, with a launch event scheduled for December 12.
Seattle Startup Scowtt Raises $12M Series A to Optimize Ad Campaigns Using CRM Data and AI
Seattle startup Scowtt raised $12 million in a Series A round led by Inspired Capital to enhance ad campaigns using CRM data and AI, aiming to improve ad spend efficiency without changing marketers' tools. Founded in 2024, Scowtt targets enterprise advertisers and plans to develop into an AI-driven growth operating system combining marketing and sales intelligence.
Seattle Startup Gradial Raises $35M Series B to Expand AI Platform Automating Enterprise Marketing Workflows
Seattle startup Gradial raised $35 million in a Series B round led by VMG Partners to expand its AI platform that automates enterprise marketing workflows. The company's total funding is $55 million, valuing it at $350 million, with clients including AWS, Prudential, and T-Mobile.
Bill Gates-Backed Modern Hydrogen Lays Off Most Employees Amid Funding Changes After $125M Investment
Clean energy startup Modern Hydrogen, backed by Bill Gates and having raised $125 million over a decade, has laid off most of its employees amid funding changes and restructuring. The company was preparing commercial deployments after successful pilot projects but has not publicly disclosed the extent of layoffs.
Simular Raises $21.5M Series A Led by Felicis to Launch AI PC Agents on Mac and Windows
Simular, a startup creating AI agents for Mac OS and Windows that can control PCs by mimicking human actions, has raised $21.5 million in Series A funding led by Felicis. The company recently released its Mac OS agent and is collaborating with Microsoft on a Windows version as part of the Windows 365 for Agents program.
Armoire Integrates AI Virtual Stylist into Clothing Rental Service After a Decade of Adaptations
Seattle-based Armoire, an online clothing rental startup focused on sustainability, has integrated AI through a virtual stylist to enhance customer experience after a decade of strategic pivots including shifts during the pandemic. The company aims to balance human touch with AI efficiency while navigating economic challenges and expanding customer demands.
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
