University of Washington
Facts
- HQ
- University of Washington
- Sectors
- Higher Education, Research, Healthcare, Arts
- Founded
- 1861
- Registered name
- University of Washington Seattle business license
- Stage
- Public
UW Oceanographers Launch Banyu Carbon Startup to Remove CO2 from Seawater, Raising $8.5M and Securing $500K CO2 Removal Deal
University of Washington oceanographers Julian Sachs and Alex Gagnon co-founded Banyu Carbon, a startup developing technology to extract carbon dioxide from seawater to combat climate change. The Seattle-based company has raised $8.5 million, secured a $500,000 contract to remove 350 tons of CO2 by 2026, and is supported by notable programs and investors.
Cecilia Aragon, First Latina U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team Member, Becomes UW Data Scientist and Startup Co-founder
Cecilia Aragon, the first Latina on the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team and author of 'Flying Free,' shared her journey from stunt pilot to data scientist and Seattle startup co-founder at the Bellevue Women’s Leadership Conference.
Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet Rebukes Former Seattle MD Chris DeVore Over Criticism Amid Seattle Program Closure
Techstars CEO Maëlle Gavet responded critically to former managing director Chris DeVore's blog post blaming strategic decisions for the closure of Techstars Seattle, emphasizing ongoing support for local entrepreneurs despite the program's shutdown. DeVore had publicly criticized Techstars' reliance on corporate sponsors and changes in incentives prior to the announcement.
University of Washington’s CoMotion Spins Out Seven New Startups Including Biotech and 3D Printing Ventures Since July 2023
Since July last year, the University of Washington's CoMotion has spun out seven new startups focused on innovations from biotech to 3D printing. These are part of over 110 active UW spinouts collectively employing 1,000+ people and raising $4.1 billion in the past five years.
Pathable Founder Jordan Schwartz Joins Vanlife Startup Sēkr as Chief Product Officer; Cole Brodman Named CEO of Opanga Networks
Jordan Schwartz, co-founder of Pathable, joined San Diego vanlife startup Sēkr as chief product officer, while Cole Brodman became CEO of Seattle-based Opanga Networks. Additionally, UW professor Aylin Caliskan was named co-director of the UW Tech Policy Lab.
Bay Area Climate Tech Startup Planette Raises $2.4M to Deliver AI-Driven Near-Term Weather Forecasts
Planette, a Bay Area climate tech startup specializing in near-term AI-driven climate forecasts, has raised $2.4 million after graduating from Techstars Seattle. Led by climate and AI experts Dr. Hansi Singh and Dr. Kalai Ramea, Planette targets energy and utility sectors with high-resolution seasonal weather predictions.
Seattle Startup Olamedi Raises $80K to Automate Healthcare Clinic Communications, Launching Platform in Q4 2024
Seattle startup Olamedi, co-founded by Daniel Sarfati and Noah Loudon, is developing a platform to automate healthcare clinic communications and track patient outcomes, launching in Q4 2024. The company recently raised $80,000 from angel investors and founders invested $400,000 of their own capital.
Seattle University Seniors Win Inaugural Hackathon with ResponseSight ML Predicting Traffic Accident Hotspots
Six Seattle University computer science seniors won their first-ever hackathon on Dec. 2 by developing ResponseSight ML, a machine learning model that predicts traffic accident hotspots for emergency response. The hackathon, hosted by INRIX and Amazon Web Services, involved 20 teams creating prototypes in 24 hours.
Ascend.vc’s Kirby Winfield Highlights AI Investing Strategy and Pacific Northwest Startup Growth on Shift AI Podcast
Kirby Winfield, founding general partner at Ascend.vc, discusses his shift from entrepreneur to Seattle-based AI-focused venture capitalist and shares insights on AI investing, emphasizing use cases solving real problems efficiently. Ascend.vc positions itself as a prolific pre-seed investor in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on applied AI as a next-generation vertical software.
Seattle Startup MotherDuck Hires Former Google Leaders Frances Perry and Margaret Lawrence Rosas; Humanly Adds VP of Growth Pallavi Sinha
Seattle startup MotherDuck hired Frances Perry, a former Google engineering director, as engineering manager, and Margaret Lawrence Rosas, former Looker and Google executive, as head of customer success. Additionally, Pallavi Sinha joined Seattle startup Humanly as vice president of growth.
AstraZeneca to Acquire UW Spinout Icosavax for Up to $1.1 Billion to Boost Respiratory Vaccine Development
AstraZeneca announced it will acquire Seattle-based biotech spinout Icosavax, founded at the University of Washington, for up to $1.1 billion to accelerate development of vaccines targeting respiratory viruses. Icosavax's shares surged over 40% after the deal, which values the company at a 43% premium and aims to advance its lead RSV and hMPV vaccine candidate.
UW Professor Shwetak Patel Co-Founded Three Startups Since 2008, Leading Google Health Tech Group
Shwetak Patel, a University of Washington professor and entrepreneur, has co-founded three startups based on his inventions since arriving in Seattle in 2008, including Zensi and SNUPI, acquired by Belkin and Sears respectively. He currently leads a health tech group at Google and is recognized as an innovative thinker transforming industries.
Seattle Startup Levanta Raises $1M to Connect Amazon Sellers with Influencers, Hits $1M Annual Revenue
Seattle-based startup Levanta raised $1 million to help Amazon sellers create affiliate programs with influencers and has surpassed $1 million in annual recurring revenue. Founded in 2023 by University of Washington grads, the profitable company serves nearly 2,000 creators and 500 brands.
Oscilla Power Deploys Triton-C Wave Energy Device in Hawaii; Plans 1MW Triton Test in Maine for Utility-Scale Ocean Power
Oscilla Power is testing its Triton-C wave energy device in Hawaii and plans a larger Triton device test in Maine, aiming to generate utility-scale ocean wave power along the U.S. West Coast. The startup seeks to harness multi-directional wave movements for clean electricity, with the Triton-C demo soon connecting to the grid to power about 25 homes.
University of Washington’s CoMotion Innovation Arm Moving to Condon Hall Near Startup Hall in 2023
The University of Washington's innovation arm, CoMotion, will relocate from the Blume building to Condon Hall near Startup Hall later this year, expanding its space and event capabilities. Startup Hall is part of the Portage Bay Crossing neighborhood, which aims to foster research, education, and entrepreneurship.
Tacoma Startup Aquagga Deploys PFAS Destroyer 'Eleanor' in Alaska, Secures $5.7M Funding to Combat Toxic Forever Chemicals
Tacoma startup Aquagga deployed its PFAS destruction device, 'Eleanor,' in Fairbanks, Alaska, successfully treating 20,000 gallons of contaminated wastewater. The startup has secured $4.7 million in government contracts and $1 million in private funding to combat toxic 'forever chemicals' in water.
Seattle Marketing Executive Joanna Lord Becomes CMO at Spring Health Amid Outreach Resignation and Maveron CFO Hire
Joanna Lord, formerly a marketing leader in Seattle and New York, has joined New York-based Spring Health as chief marketing officer. Seattle's Outreach exec Amritansh Raghav resigned amid layoffs, and Maveron hired Nathan Apsel as CFO.
Seattle’s Oldest Angel Group Puget Sound Venture Club Merges with Alliance of Angels After Nearly 40 Years
Puget Sound Venture Club, Seattle's oldest angel group founded by Gary Ritner in 1985, is merging its membership with Alliance of Angels to create a larger impact on the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem. The merger involves around 30 members, no financial transaction, and plans for Ritner to remain actively involved in the combined group.
Seattle Startup Sironix Renewables Raises $1.47M to Scale Eco-Friendly Soy-Based Surfactants
Seattle clean-tech startup Sironix Renewables raised $1.47 million to scale production of its eco-friendly soy-based surfactants for shampoos, detergents, and other personal care products. Their product, Eosix, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-derived chemicals with 45% lower greenhouse gas emissions and avoids carcinogenic contaminants like 1,4-dioxane.
Zap Energy Debuts Custom FuZE Grill Inspired by Fusion Devices at Everett Headquarters BBQ
Zap Energy, a Seattle-area fusion startup, hosted a summer BBQ at its new Everett headquarters featuring a custom FuZE Grill made by construction company Trico that resembles its fusion devices. The event showcased fusion-themed dishes and attracted about 40 attendees.
Viome raises $86.5M Series C and partners with CVS to sell $179 at-home Full Body Intelligence gut test in 200 stores
Seattle-area health tech startup Viome Life Sciences raised an $86.5 million Series C and struck a deal to sell its $179 at-home Full Body Intelligence gut microbiome test in 200 CVS stores and online. Founded by Naveen Jain, Viome analyzes stool, saliva and blood samples and counts investors including Marc Benioff and Khosla Ventures, though some scientists question clinical utility of microbiome kits.
Olis Robotics Raises $4.1M Led by PSL Ventures to Expand Secure Remote Robot Management Tools
Seattle-based Olis Robotics raised $4.1 million led by PSL Ventures to expand its Olis Connect system, enabling secure remote monitoring and control of industrial robots without cloud connection. This technology aims to reduce costly robot downtime by allowing operators to react swiftly from any browser-capable device.
Phase Genomics Secures $2.5M to Develop AI Platform for Detecting Cancer Chromosomal Aberrations
Seattle startup Phase Genomics received $2.5 million in funding, including $2 million from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and $500,000 from Washington state's Andy Hill CARE Fund, to advance its AI-driven platform that detects chromosomal aberrations in cancer. The funding supports projects analyzing tumor samples to develop predictive scores for cancers like acute myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer.
Friends and Family Establish $250K Richard Tait Award Fund to Support Young Entrepreneurs
Friends and family of the late Seattle entrepreneur Richard Tait are raising $250,000 to create the Richard Tait Spirit of Innovation Award, providing $10,000 annually to support young entrepreneurs. Tait, a Microsoft veteran and board game creator, passed away in June 2022 from COVID-19 complications.
Seattle Startup Proprio Raises $43M Series B After FDA Clears Paradigm Surgical Navigation Platform
Seattle startup Proprio raised $43 million in a Series B round after receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for its Paradigm surgical navigation platform, which provides real-time 3D visualization for clinicians. The system integrates advanced imaging technologies and is preparing for human use this summer.
People
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Oren Etzioni Executive, Former CEO, Founder and Emeritus Professor, Former Professor, Former Leader of TrueMedia
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Avi Geiger Lecturer, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Babak Parviz Professor
