Rei
Facts
- HQ
- Finca Cortesin
- Sectors
- Technology, Government IT services
UW Grad Sky Yang Launches SnapMatePhoto to Connect Customers with Human Photographers Amid AI-Image Trend
Sky Yang, a University of Washington graduate, launched SnapMatePhoto, a Seattle-based startup that connects customers with skilled human photographers amid concerns about AI-generated images. The platform offers photography services for events like graduations, weddings, and maternity shoots.
Bootstrapped MiiR Donates $5.6M and Thrives Profitably While VC-Funded Allbirds and Outdoor Voices Struggle
MiiR, a bootstrapped reusable bottle company, prioritized profitability and charitable giving over rapid growth, donating $5.6 million to causes while growing sustainably. In contrast, heavily venture-funded direct-to-consumer brands like Allbirds and Outdoor Voices faced financial difficulties and declining value despite raising massive VC funds.
Bala Vishwanath Named SeekOut CMO; Zillow’s Chad Cohen and Zulily’s Darrell Cavens Join Grindr and Match Group Boards
Bala Vishwanath joined SeekOut as chief marketing officer, while former Zillow CFO Chad Cohen and ex-Zulily CEO Darrell Cavens joined the boards of Grindr and Match Group, respectively. These appointments highlight leadership changes in prominent Seattle-area tech and dating companies.
GeerGarage Launches Outdoor Gear Rental Marketplace with Lend-to-Own Program, Plans Expansion Beyond Washington
GeerGarage, a Seattle startup founded by Microsoft product manager Adam Wise, is developing a peer-to-peer outdoor equipment rental marketplace with plans to expand beyond Western Washington and introduce a lend-to-own program. The company aims to make outdoor activities more affordable and accessible amid a growing $120 billion outdoor recreation market.
REI Launches $30M Path Ahead Ventures Fund to Support Outdoor Industry Founders of Color
REI’s Path Ahead Ventures, led by Dan Kihanya, is a $30 million fund aimed at supporting founders of color and underrepresented groups in the outdoor industry through mentorship, funding, and accelerator programs. The initiative addresses the fact that only about 1% of outdoor retail brands are owned or led by people of color.
Chloe Harford Joins Roofstock Board as Kymeta Names Walter Berger and Doug Hutcheson Co-CEOs
Chloe Harford, a former Zillow and OfferUp executive, joined Roofstock's board as the fintech firm continues to expand after acquiring Great Jones and raising $133 million; Kymeta named Walter Berger and Doug Hutcheson co-CEOs and partnered with OneWeb to test mobile satellite broadband. Seattle startups Optimize Health and CityBldr announced leadership moves: Todd Haedrich became Optimize Health CEO, and Convoy CEO Dan Lewis joined CityBldr’s advisory board.
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.
Former Facebook Seattle Chief Vijaye Raji launches Statsig to bring feature-testing tools to developers
Vijaye Raji, a former Facebook engineering leader, founded Seattle-area startup Statsig to provide feature-testing and analytics tools (like feature gates and metric maps) to developers, with usage-based pricing and a free tier. The company hopes to democratize internal tools Facebook used, has competitors, disclosed no funding but attracted endorsement from investor S. 'Soma' Somasegar.
LinkedIn data: Seattle added 2.2 tech workers per one lost from March–October as Bay Area outflows rise
LinkedIn migration data shows Seattle gained 2.2 tech workers for every one who left from March to October, nearly matching last year’s 2.5 ratio, and attracted a 28% increase in movers from the Bay Area. While the Bay Area and New York saw notable declines in their inflow-outflow ratios, observers and local advocates say Seattle’s similar amenities and lower cost of living help explain the trend.
