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
Accipiter Bio raises $10.5M more to speed AI-designed multi-target protein drugs, expanding clinical pipeline
Seattle biotech Accipiter Bio raised an additional $10.5 million from existing investors to accelerate development of AI-designed multi-target protein therapeutics and expand its team and clinical pipeline. The company, now 22 people strong and partnered with Pfizer and Kite/Gilead, will use the funds to advance three to four programs—focusing mainly on immunology alongside oncology—after emerging from stealth last year with $12.7 million.
WTIA’s 2026 ‘Tech Universe Map’ shows Microsoft (161) and UW (143) produced most founders of 625 mapped Washington tech firms
The Washington Technology Industry Association's 2026 "Tech Universe Map" visualizes founder lineage for 625 Washington tech companies and finds Microsoft (161 companies) and the University of Washington (143) are the largest founder hubs, followed by Amazon (58) and Google (20). WTIA says the map highlights regional connectivity, is broader than the 2015 Seattle-focused version, and signals emerging hubs are often out-of-state companies with local engineering centers.
AI House Co-founder Jacob Colker Delivers Rallying Cry for Seattle’s Tech Community at Showbox Market
AI House co-founder and managing director Jacob Colker delivered a passionate rallying speech at a Seattle Tech Week event, urging Seattle to reconnect around community and recognize its outsized impact on technology. He praised local institutions and companies like Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft and the University of Washington while warning that residents have grown numb to the city’s achievements.
From Madrona to Pioneer Square Labs: Greg Gottesman’s Venture Playbook
In this episode of Direct Edge, Wilson speaks with Greg Gottesman, veteran investor, entrepreneur and co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs. With more than 25 years of experience on both sides of the venture table and a quarter-century teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Washington, Greg walks us through the lessons he’s learned, from the importance of self-awareness and assembling complementary teams to the idea that everyone in an organization is, in one way or another, a salesperson. Drawing on stories from his days at Madrona Venture Group through the runaway success of Rover and the emergence of AWS, Greg shows…
Dopl Technologies’ CEO Ryan James announces $6.3M seed to build Traverse remote robotic ultrasound, with plans to expand to minimally invasive robotics
Dopl Technologies, led by CEO Ryan James, is building Traverse, a remote robotic ultrasound platform to let sonographers perform imaging from afar, and plans to later pursue minimally invasive robotic applications; the startup recently closed a $6.3 million seed round.
Dopl Technologies raises $6.3M (total >$8M) to pursue FDA clearance for remote robotic ultrasound system
Dopl Technologies raised $6.3 million (bringing total funding to over $8 million) to develop and commercialize a remotely operated robotic ultrasound system that pairs off-the-shelf probes with commercial robots and supports remote sonographers via haptic feedback and video. The Bothell, Wash. startup is pursuing FDA clearance and conducting clinical evaluations to target rural and underserved communities.
WTIA launches 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map detailing 625 companies and founder lineages — first update since 2015
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) released the 2026 Washington Tech Universe Map on July 27, 2026 — the first update since 2015 — visualizing 625 notable Washington tech companies and the founder lineages linking Microsoft, Amazon, the University of Washington, and new hubs. The wall-sized map organizes companies by founder origin to highlight how major organizations act as launchpads for successive generations of local tech founders.
Ascend series: Seattle’s ‘Third Act’ — physical AI startups on Lake Union signal a shift toward software-enabled hardware
The piece reports from Lake Union to argue Seattle is entering a third industrial era—'physical AI'—where hardware-enabled intelligent machines mix with legacy maritime and aerospace industries, exemplified by startups like Overland, Anduril, Brinc, and Endurance Energy. The authors say Seattle has the talent, infrastructure, and institutions to lead but needs more risk-taking, investor capital for hardware, and pro-innovation policy to fully capitalize on this shift.
Agility Robotics names Michael Beer CFO as Jennifer Hunter shifts to COO ahead of planned public listing; other tech executive moves reported
Agility Robotics hired Michael Beer as CFO while current CFO/COO Jennifer Hunter will focus solely on operations as the company prepares to go public; other tech moves include Matt Fisher becoming CTO of Efekta Education and another security leader, Rahul Prakash, departing Microsoft. Zap Energy also appointed a chief legal officer and KEXP named a new CPTO, reflecting a wave of executive changes across startups and tech firms.
Impinj CEO Chris Diorio rings Nasdaq bell as RFID chipmaker marks 10th IPO anniversary after growing to $4.2B market cap
Impinj, maker of tiny battery-free RFID chips embedded in over 160 billion items, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its IPO as CEO Chris Diorio rang the Nasdaq bell; the Seattle company commands about two-thirds of its market, grew from a $250 million IPO valuation to a $4.2 billion market cap, but has reported only one profitable year and carries a $400 million accumulated deficit.
Madrona celebrates Impinj’s 10th IPO anniversary, remembering founders Carver Mead and Chris Diorio and their low-power transistor breakthrough
Impinj marked the 10th anniversary of its IPO, and Madrona celebrates its long partnership with the company dating back to its founding in 2000 by Carver Mead and Chris Diorio. The piece highlights Mead's influential contributions to semiconductor industry and neuromorphic computing and explains that Impinj originated from their work on low-power, low-cost field-tunable transistors.
Sonothera Says Ultrasound Gene-Delivery Could Treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; No Clinical Data Yet
Sonothera, a small California startup, claims its ultrasound-based gene-delivery technology could treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other genetic diseases, presenting striking animal data despite having no clinical results yet.
Curinos Announces Four Startups for 2026 FinTech Incubator Cohort
Curinos selected four early-stage financial technology startups for the second cohort of its FinTech Incubator, run in partnership with CoMotion at the University of Washington.
Curinos Names 2026 FinTech Incubator Cohort, Adds Mentorship and Technical Partnerships
Curinos announced its 2026 FinTech Incubator cohort, selecting four early-stage startups focused on AI-driven knowledge, embedded lending, community savings, and personalized financial guidance. The program also expanded its mentorship team and technical partnerships to support these innovative startups.
Edward Balassanian Uses AI to Rapidly Build Startups After Microsoft and Early University Achievement
Edward Balassanian, a University of Washington graduate and former Microsoft software engineer, is now a serial entrepreneur who leverages AI to rapidly build startups. The Austin Business Journal highlights his profile alongside other local innovators and business leaders.
Seattle Seahawks Ownership Sale Narrows to Two Groups Led by Mittal/Grousbeck and Khosla
The Seattle Seahawks' ownership sale has narrowed to two groups: one led by Boston Celtics minority owner Aditya Mittal and Wyc Grousbeck, and another led by San Francisco 49ers minority owner Vinod Khosla, with other bidders reportedly out of contention. Current vice chair Bert Kolde is involved in discussions during the Allen & Company retreat as the sale process continues.
University of Washington’s CoMotion Announces 10 Startups, Eight Focused on Healthcare; CoMotion Firms Raised $1.8B
University of Washington’s CoMotion announced 10 new startups spun out with UW-licensed IP, eight focused on healthcare (diagnostics, devices, therapeutics) and two on K–12 education or climate; CoMotion-backed companies have raised $1.8 billion in five years and 310 deep-tech firms have been formed over three decades.
Overland AI Wins $19.7M Marine Corps Contract to Deliver Autonomous Ground Vehicles by 2027
Seattle-based Overland AI secured a $19.7 million U.S. Marine Corps contract to deliver over a dozen autonomous ground vehicles by early 2027, marking it as the first ground autonomy company to serve as a prime military contractor. The vehicles will support drone defense crews by handling resupply across rough terrain without GPS.
Creative Destruction Lab Seattle Accelerator Graduates 17 Startups, Raising Over $330M Since 2022
Creative Destruction Lab's Seattle accelerator, based at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business, graduated 17 early-stage startups in its fifth cohort since 2021. These startups, specializing in advanced manufacturing and computational health, have collectively raised over $330 million in venture funding since 2022.
Zoom to Acquire Seattle AI Startup Common Room, Known for $52M-Funded Buyer Intelligence Platform
Zoom is acquiring Common Room, a Seattle-based AI startup that developed a platform to help sales and marketing teams track customer buying signals. Common Room emerged from stealth in 2021 with $52 million in funding and was named the 2022 GeekWire Awards Startup of the Year.
University of Washington Foster’s Alicia DeSantola Named Fulbright U.S. Scholar for 2026–27
Alicia DeSantola, assistant professor of management and organization at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, was selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2026–27 academic year.
F5 Marks 30 Years by Pivoting to AI Security with $180M CalypsoAI Acquisition Protecting Fortune 500
F5 Technologies celebrates its 30th anniversary by transforming from a video game startup to a $3 billion AI security platform provider protecting over 80% of Fortune 500 companies. Recent acquisitions of CalypsoAI and SurePath AI enhance its capabilities in securing AI models, agents, and APIs across hybrid environments amidst growing visibility challenges.
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.
UW Graduate Sky Yang Launches SnapMatePhoto, Seattle Marketplace Connecting Customers with 120+ Photographers
Sky Yang founded SnapMatePhoto, a Seattle-based digital marketplace launched in October that connects customers with over 120 photographers for various events, offering services priced from $35 to $700. The platform facilitates booking and payments, taking commissions from both photographers and clients, and grew out of Yang’s experience as a UW student and amateur photographer.
Mind Children Robotics Launches Codey, a $10,000 Social Robot for Classrooms and Senior Care, Founded by Ben Goertzel
Mind Children Robotics, co-founded by AGI researcher Ben Goertzel, has developed Codey, a 3-foot-tall social robot priced under $10,000 designed to support social connection in classrooms, hospitals, and senior care. The robot uses open-source AI and expressive gestures to engage users, with initial pilot programs planned in South Korea.
People
See all 25-
Oren Etzioni Executive, Former CEO, Founder and Emeritus Professor, Former Professor, Former Leader of TrueMedia
-
Avi Geiger Lecturer, Affiliate Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
-
Babak Parviz Professor
