Facts
- HQ
- 1301 Second Avenue, Floor 36
- Sectors
- Real Estate
- Founded
- 2006
- Employees
- 13647
- Stage
- Public
ATmosphere Conference Spotlights AT Protocol Enabling Decentralized Social Web with Bluesky and Obama Joins
The ATmosphere Conference in Seattle highlighted the emerging Authenticated Transfer (AT) Protocol, a decentralized social web system enabling users to own their identity and data, exemplified by the Bluesky social network. This protocol aims to disrupt current social apps by allowing interoperable, user-controlled data across multiple apps, with notable figures like Barack Obama joining Bluesky recently.
Rad Power Bikes Names Kathi Lentzsch, Former Bartell Drugs CEO, as New CEO Amid Strategic Retail Shift
Seattle-based e-bike company Rad Power Bikes appointed Kathi Lentzsch, former CEO of Bartell Drugs, as its new CEO amid a strategic shift to retail-focused operations and recent layoffs. Lentzsch replaces Phil Molyneux, who led the company for over two years during a period marked by lawsuits and recalls.
University of Washington Students Pitch AI and Tech Startups After 10-Week Entrepreneurship Course Led by Greg Gottesman
The University of Washington offers a popular 10-week entrepreneurship class led by venture capitalist Greg Gottesman, culminating in student pitches of tech startups at Pioneer Square Labs. The course attracted strong demand, featured high-profile guest speakers like Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and highlighted trends such as AI and computer vision.
Seattle Startups Actual AI, CopyCat, and Esterre Launch Innovative Tech Solutions for Real Estate, Mental Health, and Performance Reviews
Seattle startups Actual AI, CopyCat, and Esterre are innovating in areas like automated performance reviews, browser task automation, and flexible vacation home ownership. These companies are gaining traction with pilot programs, accelerator support, and new business models to serve therapists, real estate, and other industries.
Seattle Startup Tribute Shuts Down After Eight Years Despite Enterprise Interest and Funding Challenges
Seattle startup Tribute, founded by Sarah Haggard, is shutting down after eight years despite having enterprise interest and existing customers, due to unmaterialized deals and funding challenges. The platform evolved from a mentor-matching app to a workplace knowledge tool but ultimately could not sustain financially.
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.
Seattle Startup Flyhomes Launches NeighborVote Tool Showing Neighborhoods' Political Leanings for Homebuyers
Seattle startup Flyhomes launched NeighborVote, a tool allowing homebuyers to see neighborhoods' political leanings based on voting data, aiming to aid informed housing decisions. The feature uses data from MIT Election Data & Science Lab and positions politics like Walk Scores or school ratings in home evaluations.
Seattle Home-Inspection Startup Inspectify Raises $5.3M Led by Munich Re Ventures, Total Funding $23M
Seattle-based home-inspection startup Inspectify raised $5.3 million led by Munich Re Ventures, increasing its total funding to $23 million. The company, founded in 2019, serves 250 enterprise clients and expects to double its revenue and become cash flow positive next year.
Former Techstars Seattle Leader Marius Ciocirlan and Ridwell Co-founder Raise $4M for AI Startup MarkOS to Manage Brand Compliance
Seattle-based AI startup MarkOS, led by former Techstars Seattle director Marius Ciocirlan and co-founders including Ridwell's David Dawson, raised $4 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI software that audits and helps create brand assets for large enterprises. Investors include Ludlow Ventures, Bessemer, and several Seattle firms, with MarkOS focusing on ensuring brand compliance amid rising generative AI content.
Equity Angels Launches Accelerator and Advisory Firm to Support Underrepresented Founders in Real Estate Tech
Equity Angels, founded by Katherine Winston and Kenya Burrell-VanWormer, is a new social impact organization launched to support underrepresented founders in real estate tech by providing a six-month accelerator, fractional executive support, and community building. Their first accelerator cohort of four startups will pitch to investors at the September Blueprint real estate tech conference in Las Vegas.
Chris Bee Joins AI Email Startup Superhuman as CTO; Getty Images Founder Departs Board; Xbox Veteran Larry Hryb Joins Unity
Chris Bee, formerly CTO at Lessen, has joined AI email startup Superhuman as CTO to help expand its enterprise offerings, while several other tech executives changed roles across Pacific Northwest companies. Notably, Getty Images founder Jonathan Klein left the board, and Xbox veteran Larry Hryb joined Unity as director of community.
Gaurav Oberoi’s Lexion Acquired by DocuSign for $165 Million, Marking Third Successful Exit for the Entrepreneur
Serial entrepreneur Gaurav Oberoi, co-founder of AI-based legal tech startup Lexion, will exit successfully as Lexion is acquired by DocuSign for $165 million. Oberoi, known for his customer-centric approach and expertise, has now had three startups acquired, earning strong respect in Seattle’s tech community.
Zillow and Grubhub Veterans Launch Scala Advisors to Support Growth Companies in Seattle
Chad Cohen, former CFO of Zillow Group and Adaptive Biotechnologies, and Ryan Domyancic, ex-Grubhub investor relations analyst, launched Scala Advisors, a Seattle-based firm helping growth-stage companies with finance, operations, and public market readiness. The advisory offers services including capital planning and executive coaching to support scaling businesses.
GeekWire Highlights: Amazon Protests, Tesla Cybertruck Test Drive, Veeam's $1.5B Revenue, OpenPipe's $6.7M Funding, and Washington's Fusion Power Support
GeekWire's most popular technology stories for the week of March 24, 2024, covered topics including Amazon protesters opposing fossil fuel use, Tesla Cybertruck test drives in Seattle, Veeam's headquarters move and revenue milestone, OpenPipe's $6.7M funding round, and Washington state's support for fusion power development.
Techstars Seattle Demo Day 2024 Unveils 24 Startups Poised to Rival 2011 Unicorn Trio Including Discoverist and TalkStack AI
The 2024 Techstars Seattle Demo Day showcased 24 startups, with experts optimistic that this cohort could rival the successful 2011 group that included three billion-dollar companies. Notable startups like Discoverist and TalkStack AI are leveraging AI for personalized retail recommendations and conversation analysis, respectively.
Ben Eidelson Launches Stepchange, a $3M Seattle Venture Fund to Accelerate Carbon-Cutting Tech Adoption
Ben Eidelson, former tech entrepreneur, launched Stepchange, a Seattle-based climate-focused venture fund investing $100,000-$200,000 in early-stage carbon-reducing startups, aiming to deploy $3 million within 18 months. Eidelson also hosts the Climate Papa podcast and engages the community to accelerate climate technology adoption.
Spencer Rascoff - Entrepreneur and Tech Executive
Spencer Rascoff is an entrepreneur and tech executive who co-founded Zillow, Hotwire, dot.LA, Pacaso, Recon Food, Queue, and heyLibby, and who served as Zillow's CEO for a decade. Spencer is an active angel investor and is starting new companies through his Los Angeles venture capital firm and startup studio, 75 & Sunny. He is also on the Board of Directors of Varo Bank. In the spring of 2022, Spencer was a Visiting Professor, where he taught Harvard College's first-ever startup class, "Startups from Ideation to Exit," in the fall of 2019, he co-created and co-taught the Harvard Business School course…
Flyhomes Conducts Another Round of Layoffs Amid Persistent Real Estate Market Challenges
Seattle-based real estate startup Flyhomes has conducted another round of layoffs due to persistent industry challenges, continuing a pattern of workforce reductions since 2022. The company, which raised over $200 million, cited worsening market conditions driven by high mortgage rates and economic headwinds.
Seattle Startup Flyhomes Moves from 9,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Office to Smaller Downtown Space Amid Remote Work Shift
Seattle real estate tech startup Flyhomes vacated its 9,000 sq ft waterfront office near Pier 56 on September 1, relocating to a smaller 4,000 sq ft space downtown due to a shift to remote work. The move follows Flyhomes' multiple layoffs amid a slowing market and increasing Seattle office vacancies.
Rippl Care Hires Jamie Sharp as Chief Medical Officer to Lead Senior Mental Health Program; Other Seattle Tech Startups Announce Key Executive Appointments
Seattle startup Rippl Care appointed Jamie Sharp, former Aetna VP and chief medical officer, as its new chief medical officer to advance its mental health care program for seniors. Additionally, Diego Oppenheimer joined Guardrails AI as co-founder, PitchBook hired Paul Stoddart as CMO, and Tasso appointed Monica Williams as CFO.
EasyKnock Acquires Seattle Home Maintenance Startup Onder; CEO David Krieger Joins as Chief Product Strategy Officer
New York-based EasyKnock has acquired Seattle home maintenance startup Onder, integrating Onder's subscription-based services into EasyKnock's home equity platform. Onder's CEO David Krieger joins EasyKnock as chief product strategy officer amid a challenging venture capital environment prompting the merger.
Teal Acquires Seattle Life-Career Social Startup OwnTrail; Founder Rebekah Bastian to Join as Advisor
Seattle-based life-and-career social startup OwnTrail, launched in 2020 with 6,600 users, is being acquired by Miami-based job platform Teal, with founder Rebekah Bastian joining as an advisor. OwnTrail faced funding challenges despite raising $1.5 million and will make its features free following the acquisition.
Madrona Venture Labs Raises $11M for Fifth Fund to Accelerate AI Startups, Including Generative AI
Madrona Venture Labs raised $11 million for its fifth fund to support AI startups, planning to back 12 new companies with a focus on intelligent applications and generative AI. Since its 2014 founding, the Seattle-based studio has raised $40 million, backed 32 companies, and offers funding and advisory services to early-stage startups.
Seattle Startup Flyhomes Lays Off Staff Third Time in a Year, Workforce Shrinks from 700 to 470 Amid Housing Market Downturn
Seattle real estate startup Flyhomes, led by CEO Tushar Garg, laid off employees for the third time in a year to focus on profitability amid a challenging housing market. The company's workforce has declined from about 700 in November to roughly 470 currently, reflecting broader layoffs in the Seattle real estate tech sector amid declining home prices and sales.
GeekWire Week in Review (May 14, 2023): Top stories include ex-CFO indicted over $35M crypto transfer, Bezos’ $500M yacht, and Amazon legal/personnel news
GeekWire's Week in Review for May 14, 2023 lists the site's most-read stories, including a Seattle startup ex-CFO indicted over an alleged $35M crypto transfer, Jeff Bezos' $500M yacht, and Amazon-related legal and personnel news.
People
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Rich Barton Founder, Co-founder and Co-Executive Chair, Former CEO
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Glenn Kelman Executive, CEO
