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
Adaptive Biotechnologies’ Spinout Digital Biotechnologies Raises $15M Series A to Develop Clinical DNA Sequencing Instrument
Digital Biotechnologies, a Seattle-based subsidiary of Adaptive Biotechnologies, has raised up to $15 million in a Series A round to develop a novel clinical DNA sequencing technology. Adaptive will retain nearly half ownership as Digital Biotechnologies aims to create a high-accuracy, rapid, low-cost sequencing instrument for clinical use.
Seattle Seahawks Test OneCourt Tactile Device Enhancing Game Experience for Blind Fans in NFL Pilot
The Seattle Seahawks joined an NFL pilot program testing OneCourt's tactile device that helps blind and low-vision fans follow live game action through synchronized audio and vibrations. Feedback from games, including one against the Indianapolis Colts, will guide future in-stadium accessibility improvements.
Dr. Michael Bailey Named UW School of Medicine Inventor of the Year for Noninvasive Ultrasound Kidney Stone Treatment in 2025
Dr. Michael Bailey and his team received the UW School of Medicine Inventor of the Year award for developing a noninvasive ultrasound treatment for kidney stones, supported by NIH and NASA funding. Their technology led to a UW startup, SonoMotion, and was highlighted at the 2025 CoMotion Innovator Showcase, which also featured Pei-Hsin Wang's gut-targeted therapy to delay dialysis in chronic kidney disease patients.
GeekWire Honors Six 'Uncommon Thinkers' Transforming Industries with Innovative Startups in 2025
GeekWire's third annual 'Uncommon Thinkers' honors six innovators including Anindya Roy, Kiana Ehsani, and Jeff Thornburg, who are leading startups transforming industries with breakthrough technologies in biotech, social media, and space propulsion. These leaders will be celebrated at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle for their creative and mission-driven approaches to solving significant challenges.
Founder Institute Relaunches Seattle Accelerator with Local Leadership and In-Person Programs Starting March 2024
Founder Institute is relaunching its Seattle chapter with local leadership led by tech veteran Aniket Naravanekar to revive in-person mentorship, events, and funding opportunities for startups. The first new cohort starts in March, with a launch event scheduled for December 12.
Former Microsoft Engineer’s Viral Post Claims Seattle Harbors Strong Anti-AI Sentiment Due to Big Tech Layoffs and AI Tools
A viral blog post by former Microsoft engineer Jonathon Ready sparked debate by claiming that Seattle residents exhibit strong hostility toward AI due to negative experiences with Big Tech, especially Microsoft’s AI tools during layoffs. Responses on Hacker News and LinkedIn highlighted differing views on whether the anti-AI sentiment is a Seattle-specific culture or a broader reaction to burnout in Big Tech.
Seattle Biotech Startup Curi Bio Raises $10M Led by DreamCIS to Advance 3D Tissue Drug Discovery Platforms
Seattle biotech startup Curi Bio raised $10 million in Series B funding led by DreamCIS to expand its R&D platform using 3D tissue models for drug discovery. The company serves major pharmaceutical firms and aims to develop new platforms for various muscle and metabolic diseases.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $40M Series B Led by WestBridge Capital Amid 900% Revenue Growth
Seattle AI startup Yoodli raised $40 million in a Series B round led by WestBridge Capital, after reporting 900% revenue growth and tripling its staff to over 40. The company offers AI-powered conversational practice software used by major clients like SAP and Google, and plans to expand into experiential learning.
Vercept CEO Kiana Ehsani Creates AI Tool Vy to Automate Workflow, Encourage Outdoor Time
Kiana Ehsani, co-founder and CEO of Seattle AI startup Vercept, developed Vy, an AI tool that automates repetitive computer tasks via natural language commands, enabling users to spend more time outdoors and focus on creativity. Ehsani blends her passion for nature with technology innovation to simplify software use and improve workflow.
Seattle Startup Glacis Sees Opportunity as White House Plans to Challenge State AI Laws
The White House plans an executive order to challenge state AI regulations, prompting Seattle startup Glacis, led by CEO Joe Braidwood, to position its AI safety verification software as essential infrastructure in a regulatory conflict. Glacis offers tamper-proof records of AI decisions, addressing concerns about AI safety and liability amidst increasing regulatory scrutiny.
Brian Pinkard Launches Aquagga to Destroy Toxic PFAS Chemicals, Deploys Device in Alaska in 2023
Brian Pinkard, driven by a passion to make an environmental impact, transitioned from trail building to earning a mechanical engineering PhD and founding Aquagga, a startup focused on destroying toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals'. His startup deployed a PFAS-destroying device in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2023, reflecting his commitment to solving critical pollution challenges.
Ex-Microsoft Product Manager Adrienne Chan Launches Bellevue Classical Ballet in Redmond Leveraging Tech and Entrepreneurship Skills
Adrienne Chan, a former Microsoft product manager, co-founded Bellevue Classical Ballet in Redmond, Washington, blending her tech and entrepreneurial skills to launch the school in September. She transitioned from tech to dance, pursuing a master's in entrepreneurship and reconnecting with her passion for ballet.
Anindya Roy Co-founds Lila Biologics to Advance AI-Driven Medical Therapies After Journey from Rural India to UW Lab
Anindya Roy, who moved from rural India to the U.S. in 2008 with limited resources, has co-founded Lila Biologics in 2023 to develop innovative medical therapies using AI-powered protein design. His journey from humble beginnings to a postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate David Baker exemplifies determination and scientific innovation.
Qiagen to Acquire Seattle’s Parse Biosciences for $225 Million in Cash Deal Closing December 2023
Seattle's Parse Biosciences, a single-cell RNA sequencing company founded in 2018, is being acquired by Netherlands-based Qiagen in a $225 million cash deal expected to close in December. Parse, which serves 3,000 customers globally and raised over $50 million in funding, will continue operating from its Seattle headquarters as a Qiagen subsidiary.
Seattle’s Accipiter Bio Raises $12.7M, Partners with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to Advance AI-Designed Multi-Target Protein Therapies
Seattle biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences, founded by researchers from Nobel laureate David Baker's lab, secured $12.7 million and partnerships with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to develop AI-designed multi-target proteins aiming to improve disease treatment efficacy and reduce clinical trial costs.
Point72, AI2 Incubator, Amazon Alexa and SBI Invest $6M in Hearvana to Commercialize Sub-10ms ‘Sound Bubble’ Audio AI
Point72 and others invested $6 million in Hearvana, a startup building on-device ‘sound bubble’ technology that separates and amplifies selected voices with sub-10 ms latency to improve headphones, hearing aids, AR glasses, and voice assistants.
Seattle Startup Hearvana Raises $6M to Develop AI-Driven Sound Enhancement Technology
Seattle startup Hearvana, founded by University of Washington researchers including Shyam Gollakota, raised $6 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI-powered sound enhancement technology for devices like earbuds and hearing aids. Their AI platform enables real-time, on-device audio processing to improve listening in complex and noisy environments.
Founders’ Co-op announces $50M Fund VI to continue first-check investments in regional technical founders
Founders’ Co-op announced a new $50 million venture fund, Founders’ Co-op VI, managed by the same two partners, focused on early first-check investments in ambitious technical founders within their regional talent network rather than positioning as an AI-specific or larger fund.
Tim Chen Raises $41 Million for Fourth Fund at Essence VC, Emerging as a Leading Solo Investor Backing Infrastructure Startups
Tim Chen, initially rejected by Seattle venture capital firms for being 'too nerdy,' launched his own firm, Essence VC, which has grown to raise $41 million for its fourth fund and gained a strong reputation backing infrastructure startups. His technical background and experience as a software engineer have made him a sought-after solo investor, with notable portfolio successes including the $2.2 billion acquisition of Tabular by Databricks.
Susan Kaech Named Executive VP at Allen Institute; Arthur Valdez Joins Impinj Board; Jason Bennett Shifts to AWS VP Role
Susan Kaech joins the Allen Institute as executive VP of the Immunology Moonshot; Arthur Valdez Jr. joins Impinj's board; Jason Bennett transitions to VP of worldwide startups and venture capital at AWS. These leadership changes reflect strategic moves across bioscience, RFID technology, and cloud services sectors.
Seattle's Emerald Battery Labs Develops Safer, Lower-Cost Sodium-Ion Batteries to Compete with Lithium-Ion
Seattle startup Emerald Battery Labs is developing sodium-ion batteries as a cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting alternative to lithium-ion batteries, aiming to improve their lower energy density. They target grid-scale energy storage, data center backup power, and consumer products using existing lithium-ion manufacturing infrastructure.
Seattle Outpaces Toronto as Superior Tech Hub Despite Toronto's High-Valued AI Startups Amid ALCS Baseball Rivalry
Seattle and Toronto, both strong tech hubs, are compared on various metrics like talent rankings, corporate presence, and startups, with Seattle leading in corporate tech depth and number of unicorns, while Toronto boasts high-value AI startups like Cohere. Seattle ranks higher globally and has more engineering centers from major US tech firms, though Toronto shows strong growth in AI and security startups.
Seattle Startup Singletto Launches FDA-Approved Virus-Killing Masks on Amazon Following $10M Funding and DARPA Support
Seattle startup Singletto, with $10 million in funding and support from DARPA, has launched FDA-approved virus-neutralizing face masks on Amazon using its Oxafence Active Protection technology that kills 99.9% of certain viruses. The masks are the only FDA-cleared products in the U.S. that inactivate tested viruses and may have applications in healthcare and national security.
Fundamentals for Startups – 10 Reasons Not to Take VC $$ presented to UW CoMotion Labs on Oct 3, 2025
A presentation titled "Fundamentals for Startups – 10 Reasons Not to Take VC $$," prepared for University of Washington CoMotion Labs on October 3, 2025, outlines arguments against accepting venture capital and acknowledges input from several Seattle-area VCs and others.
Seattle’s Agtech Startups Like Carbon Robotics Garner $157M to Drive Sustainable Farming Amid Industry Growth
Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are becoming a major hub for agriculture technology, driven by local tech talent, innovative farming, and advances in robotics and AI. Despite a dip in agtech investments from 2021 to 2022, startups like Seattle-based Carbon Robotics are raising significant funding and developing sustainable farming technologies.
People
See all 25-
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
