Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the Founder of Breakthrough Energy, Co-founder and Co-chair of the Gates Foundation, and Co-founder at Microsoft and TerraPower. He founded Breakthrough Energy, Gates Foundation, Microsoft (which went public), and TerraPower, and remains active in all. His expertise includes leadership in technology, philanthropy, and energy innovation.
Bill Gates-Backed Lumotive Raises $45M Series B to Advance Optical Semiconductor 3D Sensor Technology
Lumotive, a Bill Gates-backed semiconductor startup specializing in Light Control Metasurface chips for 3D sensing, raised $45 million in a Series B round to advance AI data center, aerospace, and defense applications. The startup aims to provide a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional LiDAR systems and has raised over $90 million to date.
Convoy Co-Founder Dan Lewis Joins Microsoft as Chief Product Officer for Enterprise AI Solutions
Dan Lewis, former Convoy CEO, has joined Microsoft as chief product officer for Business & Industry solutions and Copilot AI, focusing on enterprise AI initiatives. Lewis returns to Microsoft after leading Convoy to a $3.8 billion valuation before its 2023 shutdown.
Modern Hydrogen Partners with Puget Sound Energy to Deploy Methane Pyrolysis for Industrial Decarbonization
Modern Hydrogen partnered with Seattle utility Puget Sound Energy to deploy methane pyrolysis technology that produces clean hydrogen fuel from natural gas, aiming to help hard-to-electrify industries reduce carbon emissions. This approach offers a climate-friendly alternative amid disruptions to clean energy deployment under President Trump's policies.
GeekWire Podcast Discusses OpenAI's $500B Stargate Project with Microsoft, Madrona’s $770M Fund, and Industry Impact
The GeekWire Podcast covers OpenAI's Stargate Project with Microsoft and others, Satya Nadella's investment remarks, Elon Musk's potential influence on tech policy, and Madrona's $770M new funds boosting Pacific NW startups.
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Achieves First Orbital Launch Amid Schedule Hiccups; Microsoft Creates New AI Division Led by Ex-Facebook Chief; Truveta Raises $320M for Genome Initiative
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin faced multiple scheduling changes before successfully launching its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket to orbit for the first time. Additionally, Microsoft established a new AI division led by a former Facebook engineering chief, and Seattle's Truveta secured $320 million to start a large genome project.
Stoke Space Raises $260M to Advance Fully Reusable Nova Rocket and Build Florida Launch Site
Stoke Space has raised $260 million in a Series C funding round to advance the development of its fully reusable Nova rocket and build a launch complex in Florida, bringing total funding to $480 million. The company recently completed a key test firing of its Zenith rocket engine and aims for a first orbital test flight of the Nova rocket this year.
Washington State Sen. Joe Nguyễn, ex-Microsoft veteran, appointed head of Commerce; Remitly EVP Rene Yoakum retiring
Washington State Senator Joe Nguyễn, a former Microsoft employee and 2024 Public Policy Champion for Innovation, will become director of the Washington Department of Commerce, succeeding Mike Fong. Additionally, Remitly's EVP Rene Yoakum is retiring after over six years, transitioning to a consulting role through 2026.
Modern Hydrogen Raises $25M to Expand Clean Hydrogen and Carbon Tech with Bill Gates Support
Seattle-area clean tech startup Modern Hydrogen raised $25 million to advance its methane pyrolysis technology producing clean hydrogen and solid carbon for industrial uses. Bill Gates, a key investor, supports the company, which has raised over $100 million and plans to expand into new markets with strategic partnerships.
TerraPower Isotopes’ Chris Dunckley Leads Team Extracting Ultra-Rare Actinium-225 from Cold War Waste for Cancer Therapy
Chris Dunckley, director of chemistry and engineering at TerraPower Isotopes, leads a multidisciplinary team extracting the ultra-rare radioisotope actinium-225 from Cold War nuclear waste to develop promising cancer therapies. His leadership and scientific expertise help transform radioactive weapons waste into potentially life-saving medical treatments.
Seattle Emerges as Leading Hub for Supply Chain Software Startups Backed by Amazon and Convoy Veterans
Seattle has become a leading hub for supply chain software innovation, driven by logistics giants like Amazon and startups such as Convoy and Shipium. The region's unique talent pool, supported by global companies and advances in technology, is fostering significant growth and investment in logistics startups.
Ex-Google Director Manish Sainani Launches AI Investment Firm Hushh Technologies; Nathan Brown Named CFO of Treasury4
Manish “Manny” Sainani, former Google director, launched Hushh Technologies, an AI-driven investment management startup, while Nathan Brown became CFO of Treasury4, a fintech company serving corporate finance professionals.
Former Amazon Care Leader Liz Tarullo Raises $3.5M to Launch Magnolia, Virtual Support Startup for Dementia Caregivers
Former Amazon Care leader Liz Tarullo co-founded Magnolia, a Seattle startup offering virtual support for caregivers of dementia and Alzheimer's patients, raising $3.5 million in seed funding led by Village Global. Magnolia aims to transform caregiving by providing guidance and support based on Tarullo's personal caregiving experience and the gaps she identified in existing healthcare services.
Microsoft's Early Focus on Software and Key 1980 Investment Meeting Shaped Its Rise to Tech Giant
This article explores Microsoft's early history, focusing on how its choice to develop software rather than hardware led to its success, highlighting key moments like Bill Gates securing investment support from David Marquardt in 1980. It also commemorates Microsoft's upcoming 50th anniversary with a series reflecting on its past, present, and future.
Aquagga Names Former Intellectual Ventures Executive Dhileep Sivam as CEO to Commercialize PFAS Destruction Technology
Aquagga, a startup developing technology to destroy 99% of PFAS in contaminated water, has appointed Dhileep Sivam, a former Intellectual Ventures executive, as its new CEO to lead commercialization efforts. The company, founded in 2019, has received over $10 million from grants and customers and raised $1.1 million from investors.
Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Isotopes Begins Commercial Production of Cancer-Treating Actinium-225 from Cold War Weapons Waste
TerraPower Isotopes, backed by Bill Gates, became the first commercial-scale producer of actinium-225, a rare radioactive isotope used for precise cancer therapy, sourced from Cold War weapons waste. The company operates its facility in Everett, Washington, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to recover thorium-229 for medical use.
Seattle's Zin Boats Unveils 37-Foot Electric Z11 Tender for Ultra-Rich Megayacht Owners
Seattle-based Zin Boats has developed the 37-foot Z11 electric tender, a high-speed, powerful vessel with advanced battery technology designed to shuttle wealthy clients to megayachts like the hydrogen-powered Project 821. The Z11 serves as a technological platform for various boat styles, showcasing innovations including 400kWh energy storage and joystick steering.
ZeroAvia Raises $150M to Advance Hydrogen-Electric Aviation with Over 2,000 Engine Orders
Sustainable aviation startup ZeroAvia announced a $150 million funding round, bringing its total raised to over $250 million, to advance hydrogen-electric airplane technologies and expand manufacturing. The company has over 2,000 engine orders and partnerships with firms like Alaska Airlines and Airbus while working on powertrains for aircraft up to 80 seats.
Mars Society Hosts 27th Annual Convention in Seattle Highlighting Commercial Space Startups and Mars Technology Institute Plans
The Mars Society's 27th annual convention in Seattle gathers hundreds to discuss Mars exploration, emphasizing commercial space startups and announcing plans for a Mars Technology Institute to foster innovation and investment in space technologies.
Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures Raises $839 Million New Fund for Climate Innovation
Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures is raising a new $839 million fund focused on climate innovations across electricity, transportation, manufacturing, buildings, and agriculture. Since its 2015 launch with industry leaders like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, the initiative has invested nearly $2 billion in over 100 companies.
Zap Energy Raises Nearly $130 Million to Develop Commercial Fusion Power, Total Funding Reaches $330 Million
Zap Energy, a fusion energy startup based in Everett, Washington, is raising nearly $130 million to advance its goal of developing commercially viable fusion power, bringing its total venture funding to approximately $330 million. The company is part of a growing fusion sector attracting billions in investment aiming to create clean, carbon-free energy.
Seattle Startup Forum3 Launches Spok, an AI Marketing Assistant Powered by GPT-4 for SMBs
Seattle startup Forum3, founded by former Starbucks exec Adam Brotman and investor Andy Sack, launched Spok, an AI marketing assistant designed to streamline competitive analysis and content creation for small and medium-sized businesses using GPT-4 and custom marketing data.
American Airlines to Buy 100 Hydrogen Electric Engines from ZeroAvia for CRJ700 Jets
American Airlines plans to purchase 100 hydrogen electric engines from clean aviation startup ZeroAvia to power its regional Bombardier CRJ700 jets, supporting the development of zero-emission aircraft propulsion. ZeroAvia, founded in 2017, is advancing certification of its ZA600 and ZA2000 hydrogen fuel cell engines and has opened a large manufacturing facility in Washington.
Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Starts Construction of First U.S. Sodium-Cooled Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming
Bill Gates-backed nuclear company TerraPower began construction on a sodium-cooled Natrium reactor facility near a retiring coal plant in Wyoming, aiming to start power production by 2030. This project, the first coal-to-nuclear transition globally, is awaiting U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for its advanced reactor design.
Seattle Recruiting Software Startup SeekOut Lays Off 30% of Workforce, Second Round in Eight Months
Seattle-based recruiting software startup SeekOut cut 30% of its workforce last week, marking its second round of layoffs in eight months amid a tech downturn. The company raised $115 million in 2022, was valued at $1.2 billion, but did not disclose exact numbers of employees affected.
GeekWire Week in Review (May 12, 2024): AWS and Google executive moves, Expedia leadership exits, Kyndryl acquires Skytap
A weekly roundup of GeekWire’s most-read technology and startup stories for the week of May 12, 2024, covering major tech moves, executive departures, acquisitions, and new accelerator initiatives in the Seattle area and beyond.
Organizations
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Breakthrough Energy Ventures Founder 2015–present · current
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Gates Foundation Co-founder and Co-chair 2000–present · current
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Microsoft Co-founder 1975–present, Former CEO · current
Education
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Harvard University 1973–1975
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Lakeside School
