Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Software Development
- Founded
- 2015
- Employees
- 33
Madrona Leads Inaugural Seattle Tech Week July 31-August 4 Featuring AI-Focused Panels and Networking
Seattle venture firm Madrona, along with other local firms and tech leaders, is launching the inaugural Seattle Tech Week from July 31 to August 4 to connect the city's tech ecosystem through various events focused on AI and innovation.
Seattle Venture Capital Investment Falls to $1.11 Billion in H1 2023, Yet Investors Stay Bullish on AI and Talent
Despite a significant decline in venture capital investments in Seattle, local investors remain optimistic about the region's future, driven by its strong talent pool and growth in generative AI. Seattle startups raised $1.11 billion in the first half of this year, down from $4.02 billion last year, reflecting a cautious shift toward profitability amid a market downturn similar to the dot-com bubble.
Starfish Space's Otter Pup Satellite Spins After June 12 Anomaly on Launcher Orbiter SN3 During Docking Test
Starfish Space's Otter Pup satellite embarked on a June 12 rideshare mission but was spun uncontrollably following an anomaly with its mothership, Launcher’s Orbiter SN3. Emergency deployment allowed Otter Pup to remain operational and communicate, though its planned docking maneuvers were disrupted.
Madrona Venture Labs Raises $11M for Fifth Fund to Accelerate AI Startups, Including Generative AI
Madrona Venture Labs raised $11 million for its fifth fund to support AI startups, planning to back 12 new companies with a focus on intelligent applications and generative AI. Since its 2014 founding, the Seattle-based studio has raised $40 million, backed 32 companies, and offers funding and advisory services to early-stage startups.
Seattle Startup Meetingflow Raises $760K to Expand AI Platform Improving Sales Meeting Efficiency
Seattle startup Meetingflow, formerly Panda.AI, raised $760,000 from previous investors to grow its AI-driven platform that enhances sales meetings by automating preparation, note-taking, and follow-ups, led by CEO Aaron Goldfeder. The pivot aims to address inefficient client meeting processes by integrating calendar, CRM, and OpenAI’s GPT technology.
GeekWire Week in Review (May 14, 2023): Top stories include ex-CFO indicted over $35M crypto transfer, Bezos’ $500M yacht, and Amazon legal/personnel news
GeekWire's Week in Review for May 14, 2023 lists the site's most-read stories, including a Seattle startup ex-CFO indicted over an alleged $35M crypto transfer, Jeff Bezos' $500M yacht, and Amazon-related legal and personnel news.
Seattle’s Pioneer Square Labs Raises $20M Third Fund to Accelerate Generative AI Startup Studio
Seattle startup studio Pioneer Square Labs raised $20 million for its third fund to invest in generative AI, building multiple AI-driven apps in finance and healthcare. Founded in 2015, PSL has 33 startups with most securing follow-on investments but no unicorn exits yet.
Seattle VC Firm Ascend Raises $25M Second Fund to Boost AI Investments Amid Market Downturn
Seattle-based pre-seed venture capital firm Ascend, led by Kirby Winfield, raised a $25 million second fund focused on doubling down on artificial intelligence investments amid a challenging startup funding environment. Winfield, who has backed over 70 startups, predicts a further valuation correction but remains committed to early-stage investing.
Microsoft Vet Amish Patel and Ex-Beats CEO Susan Paley Launch Seattle Hardware-Focused Startup Studio Conduit Venture Labs
Conduit Venture Labs, founded by Amish Patel and Susan Paley in Seattle, is a new startup studio focused on hardware companies, aiming to overcome traditional barriers by providing engineering, design, and mentorship resources. The studio targets sectors including IoT devices, ag-tech, and health technologies, leveraging a network of over 100 hardware professionals to support physical-tech business creation.
Seattle Startup Ever.green Secures $6.1M Seed Funding to Accelerate 20 GW/Yr Clean Energy Marketplace
Ever.green, a Seattle startup, raised $6.1 million in seed funding to expand its marketplace that connects corporations funding clean energy with developers building renewable projects, aiming to accelerate solar and wind power deployment. The platform also leverages investment tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act to help scale renewable energy infrastructure rapidly.
Seattle’s Felix&Fido Raises $4M Pre-Seed Led by PSL Ventures and Rover to Launch Subscription Veterinary Care
Seattle startup Felix&Fido announced a $4 million pre-seed funding round led by PSL Ventures and Rover to launch subscription-based veterinary care combining telemedicine, in-clinic, and at-home services. Founded by former Army captain and Expedia executive Gavin Woody, the company aims to tackle the veterinary shortage with an innovative membership model.
Ben Gilbert Names ChatGPT with GPT-4 as Top Technology of 2023, Citing Microsoft Azure's Key Role
Ben Gilbert, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs, identifies ChatGPT based on GPT-4 as the most important technology of 2023, highlighting its growing mainstream impact and generative AI's potential. Microsoft, a key OpenAI investor, plays a crucial role with its Azure cloud infrastructure supporting this AI innovation.
Karat Hires Crystal Moore as VP to Expand Brilliant Black Minds Program, Boosting Black Engineers in Tech
Seattle-based startup Karat appointed Crystal Moore as VP of its Brilliant Black Minds program, aiming to double Black engineers in tech within ten years by providing interview coaching and support. Karat raised $110 million in 2021 and boasts clients like Compass and Intuit, with investor Serena Williams helping to scale its diversity initiatives.
Neal Stephenson and Peter Vessenes Launch Lamina1 to Build Open-Source Blockchain Metaverse Aligned with 'Snow Crash' Vision
Neal Stephenson, creator of the metaverse concept in his 1992 novel 'Snow Crash,' is co-founding Lamina1, an open-source blockchain platform to build a creator-friendly metaverse. This initiative aims to offer an alternative to corporate metaverse visions by focusing on planetary-scale virtual worlds and transparent creator compensation.
Boltive Leaders Dan Frechtling and Scott Moore Drive Online Privacy Tech Motivated by Personal Cancer Losses
Boltive CEO Dan Frechtling and CFO Scott Moore share a deep personal connection through their experiences with their wives' cancer treatments, motivating their work in online privacy compliance technology. Boltive, formerly Ad Lightning, is expanding its automated solutions to help brands comply with privacy laws and honor user choices.
Portland Travel Startup TrovaTrip Raises $15M Series A Led by Madrona After 10X Booking Growth
TrovaTrip, a Portland-based group travel marketplace founded by Nick Poggi and Lauren Schneider, raised $15 million in a Series A led by Madrona Venture Group after reporting 10X booking growth last year. The platform, which partners with social media travel hosts and tour operators, has over 15,000 travelers booked across 500 itineraries in 49 countries.
Madrona Venture Group Raises $690M Across Two Funds to Support Startups in Seattle and Nationwide
Madrona Venture Group has raised $690 million across two funds, marking its largest ever, to back startups primarily in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide. The firm plans about 40 venture investments with increased capital per company amid a strong U.S. venture market.
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 VC Firm Fuse, Led by Three Under-40 Partners, Raised $170M and Seeks $250M for Second Fund
Seattle venture capital firm Fuse, led by three general partners all aged 35 or younger, raised $170 million for its first fund and is currently raising $250 million for its second. The firm focuses on early-stage Pacific Northwest software startups and is notable for both its youthful leadership and sizable funds.
Seattle Lumber Marketplace Startup Yesler Raises $5M to Disrupt Volatile Lumber Industry
Seattle-based startup Yesler, which offers a software platform to simplify lumber market transactions and analytics, has raised $5 million despite initial adoption challenges due to market volatility. Founded in 2019 and spun out of Pioneer Square Labs, Yesler's marketplace transactions grew tenfold this year amid a fragmented lumber industry ripe for disruption.
Seattle Accounting Software Startup Lockstep Acquired by British Enterprise Software Giant The Sage Group
Seattle-based startup Lockstep, which automates B2B accounting processes and has over 300 customers, will be acquired by British enterprise software company The Sage Group. The 130 Lockstep employees will join Sage while retaining the Lockstep brand, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Tom Alberg, Amazon Early Investor and Madrona Co-Founder, Dies at 82 After Shaping Seattle Tech
Tom Alberg, co-founder of Madrona Venture Group and early investor in Amazon, is remembered for his significant yet understated contributions to Seattle's tech industry, including his mentorship and 23 years on Amazon's board. He died at 82, leaving a lasting legacy both publicly and through his personal impact on colleagues and entrepreneurs.
Tom Alberg Remembered as Influential Mentor and Venture Capitalist Who Empowered Seattle Entrepreneurs
Tom Alberg was a deeply curious, humble, generous, and kind mentor who profoundly influenced the Seattle tech community and venture capital world. He empowered young entrepreneurs with trust and wisdom, helping build Madrona and Perkins Coie LLP into industry leaders while delighting in others' successes.
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.
Seattle Startup Lockstep, Backed by American Express, Launches Free Shared Accounting Inbox Amid Rapid Growth
Seattle startup Lockstep, backed by American Express and led by CEO Peter Horadan, is growing rapidly with 20,000 customers and a rising demand for its accounting automation software. The company just launched Lockstep Inbox, a free shared accounting inbox, aiming to become the 'LinkedIn of accounting' by automating manual financial workflows.
People
See all 14-
Ben Gilbert Founder, Co-founder and Managing Director, Venture Partner
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Geoff Entress Founder, Co-founder and Venture Partner
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Greg Gottesman Founder, Managing Director, Co-Founder
