Washington Technology Industry Association
Facts
- HQ
- Washington
- Sectors
- IT Services and IT Consulting
- Employees
- 116
Washington State Tech Leaders Optimistic as $52 Billion Semiconductor Funding Arrives Through CHIPS and Science Act
Washington state tech leaders, including Lewis Johnson of NLM Photonics, are optimistic about the CHIPS and Science Act, which provides $52 billion for semiconductor companies and institutions. The act is expected to ease funding challenges and reduce investment risks in the costly, long-term development of semiconductor technology.
Asha AI Launches Voice-Enabled Elder Care Management App, Showcased at Life Science Innovation Northwest 2022
Asha AI, a Redmond-based startup founded by Rashmi Joshi, has launched an iOS app to help elderly users manage healthcare tasks through a voice-enabled interface. The app was showcased at the Life Science Innovation Northwest 2022 event and aims to support independence and caregiver communication.
Founders Live Seattle returns Feb. 24; Dooeys wins $10,000 in AWS credits and advances to Founders Live Prime Time
Founders Live held its first in-person Seattle event of 2022 on Feb. 24, where five startups pitched and Dooeys won the audience vote, earning $10,000 in AWS credits and a spot in a future Founders Live Prime Time global event.
Seattle startups push into crypto, blockchain and Web3 amid investor caution and regulatory shifts
The article lists Seattle startups building products and services around crypto, blockchain, and Web3, noting the region’s talent but limited local investor interest and regulatory uncertainty. Industry leaders cite Seattle’s potential as a cloud-computing hub while warning entrepreneurs face funding disadvantages compared with other jurisdictions.
WTIA selects 30 Washington seed-stage startups for seventh six-month Founder Cohort Program
The Washington Technology Industry Association selected 30 Washington-headquartered, seed-stage tech startups for its seventh six-month virtual Founder Cohort Program, which provides fundraising, governance, legal, accounting, and go-to-market training for companies with under $1M annual revenue.
Wind Creek Hospitality acquires Seattle social-games developer FlowPlay; terms undisclosed
Seattle social-games developer FlowPlay, maker of Vegas World and Casino World with more than 75 million registered users, has been acquired by Wind Creek Hospitality; terms were not disclosed. Wind Creek — which runs 10 casinos and WindCreekCasino.com for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians — plans to keep FlowPlay in Seattle under CEO Derrick Morton, retaining its brand and staff.
Bellevue’s tech boom draws Amazon, Apptio and major firms as city positions itself as Seattle alternative
Bellevue has become a major tech hub attracting companies like Amazon, Apptio, T-Mobile, Smartsheet, OfferUp and Icertis thanks to its downtown, livability, low crime and business-friendly policies, with major expansions including Amazon’s plan to employ 25,000 there.
Seattle fintech Allio raises $5M for robo-advisor micro-savings tool, founder Joseph Gradante says
Seattle fintech startup Allio, founded last year by Joseph Gradante, raised $5 million to build a robo-advisor micro-savings tool that lets users customize portfolios across traditional and contemporary asset classes.
Seattle Fintech CEO Nate Derby Leverages StartOut, WTIA, and New AWS Partnership to Grow Stakana Analytics
Seattle fintech entrepreneur Nate Derby built support networks across multiple organizations, including StartOut and WTIA, to overcome limited local resources. He is now seeking further assistance through a new AWS-StartOut partnership offering mentorship and $1 million in credits.
Icertis names ex‑SAP marketer Gretchen Eischen as CMO amid $2.8B valuation; Apollo partner David Sambur exits Expedia board
Icertis hired former SAP marketing executive Gretchen Eischen as CMO while moving Seth Nesbitt to a newly created culture role; Icertis was valued at $2.8B after an $80M round. Apollo partner David Sambur resigned from Expedia Group’s board after a $1B investment, and Remitly named Vishal Ghotge EVP of North America.
Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter Joins Tanium Board as Startup Eyes Growth After $150M Round; Other C-Suite Moves Reported
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has joined the board of cybersecurity startup Tanium, which recently raised $150 million and reported over $430 million revenue in 2019; the article also reports executive moves at SheerID, Boeing and Teal Communications.
Coinbase IPO Soars to $85 Billion, Nets Windfalls for Early Backers Including Version One Ventures
Coinbase’s IPO pushed its valuation to $85 billion and delivered major returns to early investors like Version One Ventures, which made a highly profitable bet years ago. The article examines how Seattle and Pacific Northwest investors view crypto and blockchain as the region seeks to grow its fintech presence amid emerging local startups and initiatives.
Washington Senate Passes SB 5096 25-24 as Tech Industry and Progressives Clash Over Proposed Capital-Gains Tax
Washington state's tech community is sharply divided over SB 5096, a proposed capital-gains tax targeting large gains that startups warn would hurt recruitment and competitiveness; the state Senate passed the bill 25-24 and it now moves to the House. Progressive groups and analysts counter that other tech-leading states tax capital gains and say the WTIA's claims are false, noting many startups received federal PPP aid.
Tanium CEO Orion Hindawi Says Talk of Washington Tax Hikes Will Drive Businesses Away; Calls Seattle 'Freeze' 'Garbage'
Tanium CEO and co-founder Orion Hindawi, who moved his $9 billion company to Seattle, warned at a Washington tech event that talk of raising Washington state taxes—especially capital gains taxes—will deter businesses from relocating to the state and dismissed Seattle's 'freeze' reputation as 'complete garbage.'
Tanium raises $150 million from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan after HQ move to Kirkland, Wash.
Tanium, a cybersecurity firm that relocated its headquarters from Emeryville, Calif. to Kirkland, Wash., raised $150 million in common stock from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to fund growth and expand its Seattle-area engineering presence. The privately held company, co-founded by David and Orion Hindawi, reported over $430 million in revenue in 2019 and now employs about 1,500 people.
WTIA selects 22 Washington seed-stage startups for six-month Founder Cohort to accelerate fundraising and growth
The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) selected 22 Washington-headquartered, seed-stage tech startups for its six-month virtual Founder Cohort Program to help founders with fundraising, governance and customer development. The cohort is led by experienced founders and investors including Dave Parker, Susan Preston and Leslie Feinzaig and requires companies to have under $1M revenue and at least one product in development.
WTIA launches eight-week Canadian XR Startup Market Accelerator to ready 10 AR/VR/voice startups for U.S. expansion
WTIA launched an eight-week Canadian XR Startup Market Accelerator to prepare 10 Canadian AR, VR and voice startups for U.S. market expansion with curriculum, mentorship and U.S. go-to-market support. The nonprofit is partnering with Global Affairs Canada and Trade and Invest British Columbia to provide workshops on sales, fundraising, localization and market validation.
Two Screens for Teachers raises support as founders seek $23M to supply 250,000 pandemic-strained educators; teen Avi Schiffmann built a widely used COVID-19 tracker
A roundup of positive tech, science, and education stories from 2020 highlights initiatives that helped during the pandemic, including Two Screens for Teachers providing monitors to school districts and a high school student, Avi Schiffmann, building a widely used COVID-19 tracker.
FlowPlay buys out investors to become fully employee- and founder-owned after 50% revenue spike in 2020
Seattle social-game developer FlowPlay repurchased investor shares to become fully employee- and founder-owned after seeing revenue rise 50% during 2020; the 14-year-old company has 75 million registered users and plans a new title in 2021.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s First Term Tried to Reconcile Tech Firms and Critics but Left Her Politically Isolated
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tried to bridge tech companies and their critics during her first term by courting firms like Amazon, Expedia, and Apple, but her efforts pleased neither business leaders nor progressive activists, leaving her politically isolated and prompting her decision not to seek a second term.
Foursquare CEO David Shim to Resign; Gary Little Named CEO in 2021; Other Tech Leadership Moves Reported
Foursquare CEO David Shim, founder of Placed, is resigning and will be succeeded by board member Gary Little in 2021 after a transition; Shim plans to return to entrepreneurship. Other moves: investor Karan Mehandru left Trinity Ventures to join Steadfast Financial while remaining on several boards, 343 Industries’ Chris Lee stepped down from Halo Infinite project direction, and WTIA hired Molly Jones as VP of government affairs.
Seattle startup Nexme raises $500,000 seed round after toll-free call leads to angel investment
Seattle startup Nexme raised a $500,000 seed round after an unexpected toll-free call from real estate investor Mark Montgomery led to meetings and him becoming their first angel backer. Nexme, founded by Arian Abdulkader and Vanessa Alvarez, offers a lower-cost real estate marketplace charging sellers a 1.5% commission and connecting users with experienced licensed agents.
OwnTrail, founded by ex-Zillow exec Rebekah Bastian, raises $250K and operates from converted garage office
Seattle startup OwnTrail, founded by Rebekah Bastian, helps women map and share career and life paths and has grown to 1,000 registered users with 350+ profiles. The company raised $250,000, is crowdfunding an additional $20,000 (70% funded), and operates from a converted garage office with three full-time employees.
WTIA names 26 Washington startups for fourth Founder Cohort Program, a year-long accelerator for early-stage firms
WTIA selected 26 Washington-based tech startups for its fourth Founder Cohort Program, a year-long initiative that helps early-stage companies with fundraising, governance and customer development. Participating companies must be headquartered in Washington, have at least one product in development and under $1 million in annual revenue; examples include CardioCube, PetBiotix and VR Ulysses.
Seattle rises three spots to crack Startup Genome’s global top 10, backed by $3.59B in 2019 VC funding
Seattle climbed three places into Startup Genome’s global top 10 startup ecosystems, driven by strengths in AI, big data, analytics, life sciences and a strong startup genealogy from Microsoft, Amazon and the University of Washington. Venture funding reached a Seattle-area record of $3.59 billion in 2019, and the city ranks highly on performance, funding, market reach, talent, connectedness, knowledge and infrastructure.
People
See all 6-
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
