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.
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.
ZeroAvia Opens 136,000 sq. ft. Manufacturing Facility in Everett, Washington to Sell Hydrogen-Electric Aviation Components
ZeroAvia opened a 136,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington, to produce and sell hydrogen-electric airplane engine components. The company is pursuing certification for engines powering 20- to 90-seat aircraft and aims to lead in commercial aviation propulsion systems.
Microsoft’s Early Dominance from 1975-95 Driven by PC Timing, DOS Platform, and Profitable Software Model
Microsoft became dominant from 1975-95 by timing the PC revolution, pioneering a high-margin software business model, and strategically owning the platform through DOS. The company, led by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, successfully leveraged early profitability and bold bets like focusing on Windows, all without relying on external capital.
Bill Gates Visits Modern Hydrogen, Demonstrates Carbon-Sequestering Asphalt From Hydrogen Fuel Technology
Bill Gates visited climate tech startup Modern Hydrogen in Woodinville, Washington, where he helped fill a pothole using carbon-trapping asphalt made from solid carbon produced in hydrogen fuel creation. Modern Hydrogen develops methane pyrolysis reactors that convert natural gas into clean hydrogen and solid carbon for industrial uses, with demo reactors deployed to customers in Oregon and Miami.
Former Convoy Engineers Launch Manifold Freight Startup to Build Spot Freight Marketplace in Seattle
Andrew Huff and Oliver Jones, former Convoy engineering leaders, launched Manifold Freight, a Seattle startup in Y Combinator focused on creating a spot freight marketplace that helps carriers find shipments without taking load risks. Manifold aims to reduce reliance on brokers and load boards that take high fees by charging carriers a usage fee based on fleet size.
Mission Zero Technologies unveils modular DAC unit claiming 3–5× lower energy use and lower-cost plants
UK startup Mission Zero Technologies has developed a modular direct air capture device that uses a water-based solvent and electrodialysis to extract CO2, claiming 3–5× lower energy use and lower costs by using off‑the‑shelf components and compatibility with intermittent renewables.
Bill Gates-backed TerraPower to Submit NRC Application and Break Ground on Natrium Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming in 2024
TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, is advancing the development and deployment of its Natrium small modular nuclear reactor, with plans to submit a certification application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission this month and begin construction of a demonstration plant in Wyoming this spring. The company is positioned to be the first to bring next-generation nuclear technology to the U.S. and is exploring potential large-scale sales internationally.
Anoop Gutpa - CEO and Co-founder at SeekOut
Anoop Gupta is the CEO and Co-Founder of SeekOut, an AI-powered Talent Intelligence Platform helping organizations recruit, retain, and grow talent. Anoop started SeekOut after an 18-year career at Microsoft. During his tenure, Anoop was the Corporate Vice-President of the multibillion-dollar Unified Communications Group (Skype + Exchange). He was TA to Bill Gates, advising on technology and product strategy, and as a Distinguished Scientist at MSR, he led work on AI, Natural User Interfaces, and Telepresence. Prior to Microsoft, Anoop was a tenured professor at Stanford University and he holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University. See…
Bill Gates-backed Graphyte Develops $100-per-Ton Plant-Based Bricks for 1,000-Year Underground Carbon Storage
Graphyte, backed by Bill Gates-led Breakthrough Energy Ventures, has developed affordable plant-based bricks that can store carbon underground for up to 1,000 years at under $100 per ton, meeting the Biden administration's climate funding goals. The technology uses waste biomass compressed into stable blocks for scalable, long-term carbon storage.
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.
Convoy CEO Dan Lewis Discloses Near-M&A Deals Before Trucking Startup's Shutdown Amid Freight Recession
Convoy CEO Dan Lewis revealed on LinkedIn that the company reached advanced stages of two potential M&A deals before shutting down amid a prolonged freight recession and declined investor interest. The Seattle-based trucking startup, which had about 500 employees before the shutdown, had raised $260 million at a $3.8 billion valuation 18 months earlier.
What the heck happened at Convoy?
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we examine the market forces, debt, and other dynamics that put the digital freight marketplace Convoy out of business, bringing one of the Seattle region's top startups to the end of the road. Related coverage: ‘The markets crushed us’: In tearful farewell to employees, Convoy execs reflect on shutdown Convoy collapse: Read CEO’s memo detailing sudden shutdown of Seattle trucking startup Convoy raised $260 million just 18 months ago, at a valuation of $3.8 billion. Its investor list was a who's who of tech moguls and celebrities, including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff…
Seattle Trucking Startup Convoy Shutters After 8 Years Amid Freight Recession, Lenders Pull Funding
Convoy, a Seattle-based digital trucking marketplace co-founded by CEO Dan Lewis, abruptly shut down after eight years due to a freight recession and lack of funding, leading to layoffs without severance. Executives expressed shock and grief during a company-wide video call, explaining that they exhausted all options to save the company but lenders withdrew the final funds.
Seattle Trucking Marketplace Convoy Pauses Shipments and Considers Sale Amid Market Recession
Seattle-based trucking startup Convoy has paused shipments and is reportedly winding down operations amid a freight market recession and financial struggles, with layoffs and potential sale talks ongoing. The company, valued at $3.8 billion last year, faces stiff competition and market headwinds, and plans to share more details on its transition later this week.
Earth Finance Acquires Molecule, Appoints Timothy Zenk as Managing Director; Hires Jennifer Sullo After $14M Raise
Earth Finance acquired Seattle-based climate advocacy firm Molecule, with its founder Timothy Zenk joining as managing director to lead renewable fuels and public policy teams. Earth Finance, which recently raised $14 million and was co-founded by former Washington state Senator Reuven Carlyle, also hired Jennifer Sullo, a former Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan executive.
Seattle Recruiting Startup SeekOut Cuts 7% Staff Amid Restructuring, Plans Growth to 225 Employees in 2024
Seattle-based recruiting software startup SeekOut laid off 16 employees (7% of its workforce) in a restructuring but plans to grow its team to 225 employees by year-end. The company, valued at over $1.2 billion after raising $115 million last year, uses AI technology and serves over 1,000 clients including Salesforce and McKinsey.
Peregrine Hydrogen, Spawned from Bill Gates-Backed Orca Sciences, Raises $7.8M to Develop Clean Industrial Hydrogen Tech
Peregrine Hydrogen, a startup spun out of Bill Gates-backed Orca Sciences, raised $7.8 million to develop cost-competitive, clean hydrogen production technology for industrial chemicals. The funding round was led by Bidra, with participation from Gates Frontier and others.
ZeroAvia Raises Largest Funding Round with Investment from Airbus, Amazon, Bill Gates, Alaska Airlines to Develop Hydrogen Aircraft Engines
ZeroAvia, a clean aviation startup developing hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion, has raised its largest funding round co-led by Airbus and others to support engine certification. The company is partnering with Alaska Airlines to retrofit planes and aims to offer engines for 20-seat aircraft by 2025.
Seattle Trucking Startup Convoy Hires Investment Bank to Explore M&A Amid Market Challenges
Seattle trucking startup Convoy has hired an investment bank to explore potential M&A options, including a sale, merger, or strategic investment, amid market challenges and multiple layoffs. Founded in 2015 and valued at $3.8 billion, Convoy aims to increase platform volume to reach profitability.
Convoy CEO Dan Lewis Shares Leadership Insights as Startup Raises $260M at $3.8B Valuation Amid Layoffs
Convoy CEO Dan Lewis discussed his leadership philosophy emphasizing conviction and consistency at GeekWire’s Views and Brews event while highlighting the company's growth, funding, and recent layoffs amid economic challenges. Founded in 2015, Convoy automates trucking transactions and recently raised $260 million at a $3.8 billion valuation.
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.
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
