Washington Technology Industry Association
Facts
- HQ
- Washington
- Sectors
- IT Services and IT Consulting
- Employees
- 116
Brianna McDonald Launches Seattle’s Ecosystem Venture Group to Unite Investors and Support Startups with New Fund
Brianna McDonald has launched Seattle's Ecosystem Venture Group to integrate angel investors, VCs, and entrepreneurs by providing investment funding and advisory services. The group aims to break down sector silos and support startups toward profitability rather than chasing unicorn status.
Washington’s Proposed 5% Payroll Tax on Large Employers Draws Tech Industry Backlash Amid $16B Budget Shortfall
Washington state Democrats propose a 5% statewide payroll tax on wages exceeding $176,100 for companies with payrolls over $7 million to address a $16 billion budget gap, drawing criticism from CEOs and tech leaders including Microsoft President Brad Smith who warn it could harm the tech sector and drive businesses away.
GeekWire Awards 2024 Startup of the Year Finalists Auger, CalmWave, Clearbrief, Oleria, and Yoodli Showcase AI-Driven Innovations
The five finalists for the GeekWire Awards’ Startup of the Year—Auger, CalmWave, Clearbrief, Oleria, and Yoodli—are all leveraging AI to enhance their products and internal processes, utilizing automation and AI-driven insights across diverse sectors such as supply chain, healthcare, legal, web3, and communications. Their CEOs shared how AI empowers their companies to innovate and improve customer experiences.
GeekWire Awards 2025 Sustainable Innovation Finalists Include Carbon Robotics and CarbonQuest for Advanced Environmental Technologies
The 2025 GeekWire Awards Sustainable Innovation finalists include Carbon Robotics, CarbonQuest, Helion, Modern Hydrogen, and Tidal Vision, companies developing technologies from AI-powered laser weeders to carbon capture and clean energy solutions. These innovations aim to protect the planet by transforming energy production, eliminating weeds sustainably, and capturing carbon emissions.
2025 GeekWire Awards Finalists: Lassen Peak, Lumotive, Microsoft, Starfish Space, and TerraPower Compete for Innovation of the Year
The 2025 GeekWire Awards Innovation of the Year finalists include Lassen Peak, Lumotive, Microsoft, Starfish Space, and TerraPower, featuring advancements in nuclear power, quantum computing, weapon detection, and sensor technology. These innovations highlight emerging technologies that could significantly impact future living and work.
Echodyne, Pulumi, Read AI, Statsig and Truveta Named Finalists for GeekWire's 2023 Next Tech Titan Award
Five startups—Echodyne, Pulumi, Read AI, Statsig, and Truveta—are finalists for the GeekWire Awards' Next Tech Titan prize, which highlights promising tech companies. These firms specialize in diverse areas like radar technology, cloud infrastructure, generative AI productivity tools, and advanced product feature testing.
WTIA Selects 21 Seed-Stage Startups for 12th Founder Cohort Accelerator Program from January to June
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) announced 21 seed-stage startups selected for its 12th Founder Cohort Accelerator Program, running January to June, aimed at helping early-stage Washington state tech companies scale with mentorship and resources. Since inception, the program has supported over 300 companies, with alumni raising more than $350 million.
WTIA Marks 40 Years of Supporting Washington Tech Growth as CEO Michael Schutzler Retires
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking its role in supporting Washington state's tech growth from the early days of Microsoft to today's tech giants. WTIA CEO Michael Schutzler is retiring after 11 years, with the association continuing to influence the state's tech-driven economy that now accounts for 21% of GDP and millions of jobs.
Michael Schutzler to Retire as WTIA CEO After 11 Years; COO Kelly Fukai Named Successor
Michael Schutzler is retiring after 11 years as CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association, during which he led the organization's growth and focus on workforce and startup development. Kelly Fukai, the current COO, will succeed him as CEO to continue advancing Washington state's tech industry.
'Seattle Freeze' Social Dynamic Criticized and Debated at WTIA FullConTech; Industry Leaders Call for Action in Seattle Startup Scene
Discussion about the 'Seattle Freeze' social dynamic resurfaced at the WTIA FullConTech conference, highlighting challenges for startup founders in Seattle. Industry leaders debated the issue, with some urging focus on actionable solutions over complaints.
Seattle Freeze and Pessimistic Culture Challenge City’s Startup Growth, Say Local Entrepreneurs
Seattle's startup scene struggles with a culture known as the 'Seattle Freeze' and a 'celebration of pessimism,' creating challenges like passive-aggressiveness and discouragement among entrepreneurs. Industry leaders at a Washington Technology Industry Association event noted that this social dynamic hinders networking, investment, and the enthusiasm needed for startup growth.
Seattle Startup SoundGTM Launches B2B Referral Marketplace to Scale Sales with $325K Funding
Seattle startup SoundGTM, founded by Jenn Steele and Kevin Boehm, launched a referral marketplace platform to help B2B companies boost sales by connecting them with go-to-market professionals on a pay-for-success model. The company, backed by $325,000 in funding and a small team, operates with an annual subscription and commissions paid upon milestone achievements.
Former GitLab Executive Chris Weber Joins Amazon Project Kuiper as VP of Sales and Marketing
Chris Weber, former GitLab chief revenue officer and longtime Microsoft executive, has joined Amazon's Project Kuiper as vice president of sales and marketing to help expand its satellite broadband service launching in 2025. Additionally, notable tech leadership changes in the Pacific Northwest include new hires at DocuSign and retirements at the University of Washington.
Seattle Startup Nexme Acquired by Silicon Valley Real Estate Company Finaya Ahead of 2024 Nationwide Launch
Seattle startup Nexme, which streamlines homebuyer tours and raised $500,000 in seed funding, will be acquired by Silicon Valley real estate services company Finaya. Finaya plans a nationwide 2024 launch and aims to enhance transparency and services for agents and loan officers.
WTIA Selects 39 Startups for 11th Founder Cohort to Support Growth from April to September
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) selected 39 startups for its 11th Founder Cohort, a six-month program from April to September designed to help seed-stage startups grow through mentorship, resources, and networking. This cohort includes 44% female-led startups and 18% from outside King County, with each company generating less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Pictory Wins Startup of the Year at 2024 GeekWire Awards in Seattle Featuring Live Music and Surprise Guests
The 2024 GeekWire Awards in Seattle celebrated Pacific Northwest tech with winners like Pictory, live music, and surprise guests, hosted at Showbox SoDo. The event featured sponsors such as Astound Business Solutions and included networking, entertainment, and a nostalgic tech theme.
Veteran Entrepreneur Dave Parker Named CEO of Entrepreneurs’ Organization to Expand Global Membership
Dave Parker, a veteran entrepreneur with nearly three decades of startup experience, has been named CEO of the global networking group Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), which has nearly 19,000 members worldwide. Parker aims to grow EO’s membership to over 35,000 while remaining based in Seattle.
Former Moz CEO Sarah Bird Named CEO of 3D Home Modeling Tech Firm Canvas
Sarah Bird, former CEO of SEO software startup Moz, has been named CEO of Canvas, a Boulder-based company specializing in 3D home modeling technology using LiDAR scans. Bird left Moz in 2021, spent time on a sabbatical, and now aims to strengthen Canvas's leadership team while supporting its customers in remodeling and design.
WTIA and NCWTA Host Startup Validation Workshop in Leavenworth on March 22, 2024
On March 22, 2024 in Leavenworth, WA, WTIA and NCWTA hosted a Startup Validation Workshop offering resources including a Product/Market Pull template document.
Seattle Tech Leaders Dave Cotter, Johanna Faries, and Marie Donoghue Take New Roles at D3 Advisors, Blizzard, and DraftKings
Dave Cotter, former Leafly chief product officer and ex-Amazon executive, launched advisory firm D3 Advisors to consult startups and VCs. Other Seattle tech moves include Johanna Faries becoming Blizzard Entertainment president and Marie Donoghue joining DraftKings as chief business officer.
Amazon Leader and Army Vet Stephiney Foley Launches Seattle Wellness Startup Yuzi to Support New Moms Postpartum
Stephiney Foley, an Army veteran and Amazon leader, launched Seattle-based wellness startup Yuzi in September to support new parents during the challenging postpartum period. The company is currently bootstrapping and beginning fundraising efforts aimed at addressing gaps in postpartum care for families nationwide.
WTIA Names 33 Washington Startups for Free 10th Founder Cohort Program with $10K AWS Credits
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) announced 33 Washington-based startups for its free, six-month 10th Founder Cohort Program, designed for seed-stage companies with under $1 million in revenue. The program offers mentorship, $10,000 in AWS credits, and leadership training, with one-third of participants led by female CEOs.
Former SoundCommerce VP Diena Lee Mann Launches AI Startup Spectio; Microsoft Federal President Rick Wagner Departs
Diena Lee Mann, former SoundCommerce senior VP, launched Spectio, an AI tool to help business analysts work with BI platforms like Tableau and Power BI. Microsoft Federal president Rick Wagner stepped down, and Jessica Boulanger joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as SVP of communications.
GeekWire Names Adaptive Biotechnologies, Blink, Helion, Impinj, and Treasury4 as 2023 Workplace of the Year Finalists
The 2023 GeekWire Awards announced five finalists for Workplace of the Year—Adaptive Biotechnologies, Blink, Helion, Impinj, and Treasury4—highlighting their employee-friendly policies amid recent challenges. Winners will be revealed on May 18 following community voting and judge evaluations.
Seattle Couple Launch Group B Labs with Bubbe, a High-Tech Baby Bottle for Perfect Milk Temperature
Seattle couple Illi and Olivia Eisner co-founded Group B Labs to develop Bubbe, a high-tech baby bottle that keeps breastmilk or formula cold and quickly heats to the perfect temperature, addressing common parent frustrations. Illi brings over a decade of hardware experience from major tech companies, while Olivia is a certified nurse midwife and lactation consultant.
People
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Michael Schutzler Executive, Former CEO, Former Chief Executive Officer, Former WTIA Leader
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Nick Ellingson Executive, VP, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
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Arry Yu Chair of the Advanced Technologies Cluster
