Facts
- HQ
- China
- Sectors
- Semiconductor, AI, Computing
- Founded
- 1993
- Employees
- 22000
- Stage
- Public
Carbon Robotics Unveils LaserWeeder G2, an AI-Powered Laser Weed-Control Robot with Enhanced Speed, Modularity, and Manufacturing in Washington
Carbon Robotics launched the LaserWeeder G2, an AI-powered, faster, lighter, and more modular robot for weed control designed for various farm sizes and crops. The new model uses advanced AI, computer vision, and lasers to precisely eliminate weeds, with production at their new Eastern Washington facility.
Nvidia Acquires Seattle AI Startup OctoAI for Over $250 Million, Ending Its Service Offering by October 31
Nvidia has acquired Seattle-based AI startup OctoAI, which helps run generative AI models efficiently, for a price potentially exceeding $250 million including retention incentives. OctoAI is winding down its services by October 31, marking Nvidia's continued expansion in AI amid rising regulatory scrutiny.
Seattle Startup Loti Uses AI to Detect and Remove Deepfakes, Protecting Public Figures’ Digital Identities
Seattle-based startup Loti, led by CEO Luke Arrigoni, uses AI to detect and remove fake images and videos targeting public figures, helping protect their digital identities and ensure accurate public discourse. The company emphasizes neutrality in politics and advocates for proactive reputation management to combat deepfakes and deceptive content.
Former Amazon and Unity Exec Marc Whitten Named CEO of GM-Backed Self-Driving Company Cruise Amid Recovery
Marc Whitten, former chief product and technology officer at Unity Software and ex-Amazon and Microsoft executive, has been named CEO of Cruise, a GM-backed self-driving company facing recent operational setbacks. Whitten will relocate to Austin and lead Cruise as it recovers from safety incidents, executive departures, and layoffs.
Vilya Secures $71 Million Series A Funding Led by NVIDIA, ARCH, Madrona, and Menlo Ventures for AI-Driven Macrocyclic Drug Development
Vilya, a biotech startup developing macrocyclic drugs using AI and machine learning, announced an expanded $71 million Series A funding round led by ARCH Venture Partners, NVIDIA's NVentures, Madrona, and Menlo Ventures. The company, a spinout from Seattle's Institute for Protein Design, aims to revolutionize drug discovery with advanced protein engineering technologies.
Acquired Podcast Founders Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Launch Growth-Stage Tech Investment Fund
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, founders and hosts of the Acquired podcast, are launching a new investment fund to invest in growth-stage tech companies, leveraging opportunities from their podcast network. Their fund formalizes their existing personal investments in startups like Vanta and Modern Treasury without turning into a traditional venture capital firm.
AI Tinkerers Launches Toronto Chapter With 7,696 Members and Eight Global Meetups Ahead in April-May 2024
AI Tinkerers is rapidly growing with 7,696 active members worldwide and eight global meetups planned in the next month, including a highly anticipated launch in Toronto. The network features members from leading tech companies and has seen 622 demos submitted, fostering numerous startup formations and cofounder relationships.
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.
Ex-Gates Foundation Investors Launch $135M Seattle Deep Tech Fund Bison Ventures
Bison Ventures, founded by former investors from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, launched a $135 million Seattle-based fund focused on deep tech startups solving complex global problems. The fund targets sectors such as AI in biology, climate tech, food and agriculture, hardware, and transportation, and has invested in six startups addressing areas like environmental cleanup and behavioral health.
Sally Jewell named Edward V. Fritzky chair at UW Foster; Riveter CEO Amy Nelson relocates to Columbus; other exec moves
A roundup of leadership moves: former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell will be the Edward V. Fritzky endowed chair at UW Foster School for 2021–22; Riveter CEO Amy Nelson is relocating to Columbus but will remain with the company; and several other executives (including Jeff Blackburn, Randy Tinseth, and Vinayak Hegde) are taking new roles or joining boards.
WiBotic raises $5.7M Series A to scale wireless charging and fleet power software for robots and drones
Seattle-based WiBotic raised $5.7 million in Series A funding to accelerate development of its near-field wireless charging stations and fleet power-management software for robots and drones, bringing total funding to nearly $9 million. The company, spun out of the University of Washington five years ago, says its technology enables scalable, contactless charging useful for automated deployments and COVID-19–era social distancing.
People
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Elizabeth Scallon Director, Heathcare AI Startups
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Jared Roesch Distinguished Engineer
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Thierry Moreau Principal System Software Engineer
