Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- Software Development
- Founded
- 2021
- Type
- Corporation Seattle business license
- Employees
- 134
- Registered name
- Yoodli Inc Seattle business license
- Stage
- Startup
- Total raised
- $55.5M SEC Form D filings Total of this company's SEC Form D filings
- Last round
- $34M · Nov 2025 SEC Form D
- Founders
- Varun Puri, Esha J.
Niantic Spatial names Microsoft AI exec Dave Citron CPO; Allen fund appoints Jane Dietze CIO starting Jan. 4, 2027
Niantic Spatial hired Microsoft AI product leader Dave Citron as chief product officer, the Paul Allen–funded Fund for Science and Technology named Brown's Jane Dietze its first chief investment officer starting Jan. 4, 2027, and Zillow AI product lead Nicholas Stevens joined Stripe, with additional moves at several companies and organizations.
Microsoft names Silvia Candiani corporate VP at $2.5B Frontier Company; Kevin Frey joins Microsoft Elevate as VP and chief impact officer; AWS promotes Alexis Bateman
Multiple tech companies announced senior hires and promotions: Silvia Candiani named corporate VP for Worldwide Telco & Media at Microsoft Frontier Company; Kevin Frey appointed VP and chief impact officer of Microsoft Elevate; Anne Linge promoted to director of communications at Microsoft; Alexis Bateman promoted to director of global sustainability at AWS; Gradial named a CMO; Yoodli and Kestra each appointed a vice president.
Yoodli Expands to 60-Person Headquarters at Seattle’s Pier 70, Growing from Three Offices
Yoodli expanded from three offices to a 60-person headquarters at Seattle’s Pier 70, demonstrating the advantages of operating within a connected AI and flexible workspace ecosystem.
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.
Dopl Technologies raises $6.3M to commercialize remotely operated robotic ultrasound platform while pursuing FDA clearance
Seattle-area startup Dopl Technologies raised $6.3 million to advance a remotely operated robotic ultrasound system as it pursues FDA clearance, aiming to expand access to ultrasound exams in rural and underserved communities.
Remitly hires Jeff Lyon as CISO; Joseph Williams named WWU director of Cybersecurity Programs; Yoodli promotes Kartik Murthy to VP of Product
Remitly appointed Jeff Lyon as chief information security officer following leadership departures, while Joseph Williams was named director of Cybersecurity Programs at Western Washington University and Yoodli hired Kartik Murthy as vice president of product.
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.
Seattle-Based AI Startup Yoodli Doubles Workforce Amid $120M Fundraising by AI House Incubator
Seattle is attracting AI startups like Yoodli, which develops AI speech-coaching software and recently doubled its staff to about 100 employees. Yoodli originated from the AI2 Incubator (now AI House) on Seattle's waterfront, which has raised around $120 million since 2020 to fund emerging startups.
Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli Named 2026 GeekWire Workplace of the Year Finalists
The 2026 GeekWire Awards Workplace of the Year finalists include Allen Institute for AI, Carbon Robotics, DAT Freight & Analytics, Humanly, and Yoodli, recognized for building exceptional workplace cultures based on core values like trust and openness. The award ceremony occurs on May 7 in Seattle, with public voting open through April 16.
Sana Biotechnology Appoints Brian Piper as CFO; Aptevo CEO Marvin White to Step Down in April; Violett Names Scott Kushino CEO
Brian Piper was appointed CFO and executive vice president at Sana Biotechnology, while Marvin White will step down as Aptevo CEO in April, succeeded by COO Jeff Lamothe. Additionally, Scott Kushino became CEO of Seattle startup Violett, and several other leadership changes occurred across Seattle and New York tech companies.
Former Microsoft CVP Jigar Thakkar Named VP of Amazon Quick Suite as Chartis and Supio Announce New Leadership
Jigar Thakkar, former Microsoft corporate vice president, has joined Amazon Quick Suite as vice president, focusing on agentic AI platform development. Additionally, Sara Vaezy returned to Chartis as chief product and technology officer, and legal-tech startup Supio named new executives following a $60 million funding round.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $40M, Valuation Hits $300M, Shifts to Enterprise Experiential Learning
Seattle startup Yoodli, which offers AI-powered conversation coaching software, has tripled its valuation to about $300 million following a $40 million funding round announced just eight months after a $13.7 million raise. The company is shifting focus from consumer public speaking to enterprise experiential learning, partnering with firms like SAP and Google to improve employee communication skills.
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.
Seattle’s AI2 Incubator Closes $80M Third Fund to Back 70 New AI Startups Over Four Years
AI2 Incubator, a Seattle-based startup incubator focused on AI and real-world applications, has closed an $80 million third fund to support about 70 new ventures over the next four years. The incubator has a successful track record with nearly 25% of its 50+ alumni acquired and 90% securing venture funding.
GeekWire 200 Q2 2025 Lists Top 10 Fast-Growing Pacific Northwest Startups in AI, Robotics, Energy, and More
The GeekWire 200 ranking highlights the fastest-growing private tech startups in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing innovators in AI, robotics, energy, and more for Q2 2025. This quarterly list, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, tracks regional tech development and emerging companies.
Seattle Startup Humanly Launches AI Video Interviewer to Streamline Job Candidate Screening
Seattle startup Humanly unveiled an AI-powered video interviewer that can interview candidates anytime while maintaining quality and structure, aiming to ease hiring workloads. The AI interviewers replicate real staff and help companies, especially those hiring in large volumes, conduct more equitable and scalable candidate assessments.
Yoodli Raises $13.7M to Expand AI Roleplay Software Helping Enterprises Enhance Employee Communication Skills
Yoodli, founded by CEO Varun Puri, has raised $13.7 million to grow its AI roleplay software that helps employees improve communication skills through interactive speech analysis and feedback. The startup, spun out of AI2 in 2021, is shifting focus to enterprise clients and has increased revenue fivefold in eight months.
Neotribe-led $13.7M Series A in Yoodli to Expand AI Roleplay Enterprise Platform Serving Google, Databricks and More
Neotribe Ventures led a $13.7 million Series A in Yoodli, an AI roleplay enterprise platform that helps users rehearse high-stakes conversations with real-time feedback; existing investors including Madrona, Cercano, AI2 and Neotribe (who previously invested) highlighted Yoodli’s enterprise traction with customers like Google, Databricks, RingCentral, Snowflake and BDO. The funding will expand sales, customer success, and engineering while improving personalization and realism in roleplays to address communication training gaps at scale.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Raises $13.7M to Enhance Sales Pitch Training with Generative AI
Seattle-based AI startup Yoodli raised $13.7 million to advance its generative AI platform that helps sales teams practice pitches by simulating conversations and providing communication feedback. Founded in 2021 by Varun Puri and Esha Joshi, Yoodli serves companies like Databricks and RingCentral and partners with Toastmasters and Korn Ferry.
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.
Seattle AI Startup Yoodli Launches Speech-Analyzing Dating Coach to Boost Users' Communication Skills
Seattle startup Yoodli has launched an AI-powered dating coach that analyzes speech and visual cues to help users improve their communication skills and confidence for dating. The tool offers real-time feedback and personalized coaching, aiming to reduce social anxiety and enhance conversational abilities ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Jeff Bezos Moves from Seattle to Miami, Raising Questions on Washington's Capital Gains Tax Impact
Jeff Bezos is moving from Seattle to Miami, marking a symbolic end of an era for the Seattle region where he influenced business and philanthropy for three decades. The move raises questions about Washington state's capital gains tax and its impact on local leadership, while Bezos remains executive chairman of Amazon.
Seattle Startup Yoodli Launches AI VC Pitch Coach to Help Founders Practice Investor Presentations
Seattle startup Yoodli launched an AI-powered VC pitch coach that helps startup founders practice investor presentations by simulating various VC question personas and providing detailed feedback. The tool aims to reduce pitch preparation anxiety and lessen mentors' workload, offering five free practice sessions before subscription fees start.
Koru Founder Kristen Hamilton Joins Enjoy the Work as General Partner; Portland Seed Fund Adds Principal Devon Horace
Kristen Hamilton, founder of predictive hiring startup Koru, has joined San Francisco-based startup advisory firm Enjoy the Work as a general partner, focusing on Seattle and beyond. Additionally, Portland Seed Fund added Devon Horace as principal, expanding its leadership team with experienced regional executives.
GeekWire returns in person for 2022 Awards at Showbox SoDo, honoring 60+ finalists across 15 categories with 16,000+ votes
GeekWire held its first in-person GeekWire Awards in three years at Showbox SoDo in Seattle, honoring 60+ finalists across 15 categories with over 16,000 community votes and appearances by local tech leaders and entertainers.
People
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Esha Joshi Founder, Co-founder, Executive Officer, Director, Co-Founder, President, Chief Customer Officer at Yoodli
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Varun Puri Founder, CEO and Cofounder, Executive Officer, Director
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Jacob Colker First Investor / Incubator
