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.
Investor Spotlight with Jon Turow
Get to know Madrona Partner Jon Turow. Learn why he got into VC, what he looks for in founders, where the opportunities lay for founders when it comes to generative AI, and what he enjoys doing outside the office. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:39) Jon Turow's background (00:01:19) Why venture capital (00:02:27) Why Madrona (00:03:20) Opportunities in generative AI (00:05:35) What Jon looks for in founders (00:07:02) Jon's book recommendations (00:08:58) What Jon does for fun
Likewise Launches ChatGPT Plugin for Personalized TV, Movie, Book, and Podcast Recommendations Backed by Bill Gates
Likewise, an entertainment discovery platform backed by Bill Gates' private office, launched a ChatGPT plugin that provides personalized recommendations for TV shows, movies, books, and podcasts, aiming to reduce users' 23-minute daily search time. The plugin integrates with OpenAI's chatbot to deliver tailored entertainment options accessible via clickable details like ratings and streaming locations.
Microsoft and Helion Energy to Build First Commercial Fusion Power Plant by 2028 in Washington State
Microsoft and Helion Energy have announced an agreement to build the world’s first commercial fusion power plant in Washington state, aiming to operate by 2028. This plant could provide a limitless, carbon-free energy source to power Microsoft’s global data centers, marking a significant step from fusion research toward practical, clean energy production.
Echodyne Teams with Hyundai's Supernal with Minority Investment to Enhance Safety of eVTOL Air Mobility Systems
Echodyne, a radar company backed by Bill Gates, has partnered with Supernal, a Hyundai subsidiary, to enhance the safety of Supernal's eVTOL air mobility systems. Supernal is also making a minority investment in Echodyne to support in-flight and ground-based radar tracking for its electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.
Type One Energy raises $29M seed round to commercialize stellarator fusion; names Christofer Mowry CEO
Type One Energy, a Madison-based fusion startup developing stellarator magnetic-confinement technology, closed a $29 million seed round to commercialize its approach and appointed Christofer Mowry as CEO. The round was co-led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, TDK Ventures and Doral Energy Tech Ventures.
Seattle Teen Launches ClimateJets Tracking Private Jet Carbon Emissions of Ultra-Rich, Bill Gates Ranks 13th
Seattle teen Akash Shendure created ClimateJets, a website tracking carbon emissions from private jets flown by ultra-rich individuals, highlighting the environmental impact and disparity. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ranks 13th with over 3,000 tons of CO2 emissions from 393 flights, despite his climate philanthropy and investments in clean energy.
Seattle Trucking Startup Convoy Lays Off Staff for Third Time and Closes Atlanta Office Amid Automation Shift
Seattle trucking startup Convoy conducted its third round of layoffs within a year and announced the closure of its Atlanta office as part of a shift to automate customer service and improve efficiency. Despite previously raising $260 million at a $3.8 billion valuation and employing over 1,000 people, the company is reducing staff to speed its path to profitability amid broader industry challenges.
Pacific Northwest Startup Funding Drops 35% in 2022, TerraPower Leads Top Rounds with $750M Investment
Venture capital investment in Pacific Northwest startups dropped 35% in 2022, with funding decreasing over 50% in the year's second half amid economic cooling and rising interest rates. Despite this slowdown, some startups like Bellevue-based TerraPower secured significant funding, with its $750 million round leading the top 10 deals that accounted for 44% of total investment in the region.
Bill Gates Embraces Grandfather Role in 2023, Highlights Global Health and Climate Challenges in Annual Essay
Bill Gates reflects on becoming a grandfather in 2023 and emphasizes his focus on combating global challenges such as childhood disease, climate change, and education through his philanthropic work. Despite personal struggles, he remains optimistic about solving major problems and advancing clean energy innovation.
GoodShip, Founded by Former Convoy Leaders, Raises $2.4M to Enhance Trucking Analytics for Shippers
Seattle-based trucking analytics startup GoodShip, founded by former Convoy employees Ryan Soskin and David Tsai, secured $2.4 million in funding led by Fuse to improve supply chain efficiency through data aggregation software. The company targets mid-to-enterprise shippers with a mission to optimize contract business digitally and is part of a growing Seattle logistics tech scene.
Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Partners with PacifiCorp for Feasibility Study on Five Next-Gen Nuclear Reactors Deployable by 2035
TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, announced a feasibility study with PacifiCorp to explore up to five next-generation nuclear reactor sites potentially deploying by 2035. They are also working jointly on a $4 billion demonstration plant in Wyoming, expected to start operation by 2028.
Seattle Trucking Startup Convoy Conducts New Layoffs Amid Economic Pressures Following $260M Funding
Seattle-based trucking startup Convoy has conducted another round of layoffs amid economic uncertainty and supply chain challenges, following a 7% workforce reduction earlier this year after raising $260 million at a $3.8 billion valuation.
Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Hosts 2022 Climate Tech Summit in Seattle Showcasing $2B+ in Decarbonization Investments
The 2022 Breakthrough Energy Summit in Seattle, hosted by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy, brought together 700 climate tech innovators and investors to showcase and support technologies like plant-based dairy proteins and carbon-negative cement. Breakthrough Energy has raised over $2 billion to invest in decarbonization startups and provided an additional $1 billion in grants, aiming to accelerate climate solutions amid global challenges like war and economic recession.
Bill Gates Opens Breakthrough Energy Summit in Seattle Highlighting Climate Tech Progress Since 2015
Bill Gates opened the inaugural Breakthrough Energy Summit in Seattle on Oct. 18, 2022, highlighting significant progress in climate tech since 2015 as private sector involvement has increased. The three-day event features top climate leaders discussing innovations and challenges in combating climate change.
Augment AI, Led by Napster Co-Founder Jordan Ritter, Launches Private Beta of AI-Powered Productivity Tools After $3.5M Seed Round
Seattle startup Augment AI, spun out of AI2 and led by Napster co-founder Jordan Ritter, has launched a private beta of its AI-powered productivity sidekick designed to take meeting notes and organize research. The company raised $3.5 million in seed funding and offers two apps, Meeting Augment and Memory Augment, to enhance workflow integration with tools like Zoom.
Seattle Startup Pattern Computer Develops Rapid COVID-19 Test Using Light Patterns from Saliva with Proprietary AI System
Seattle startup Pattern Computer is developing a rapid COVID-19 test using light pattern analysis from saliva with a proprietary computer system, attracting top biotech and tech experts. The company, founded by notable figures including CEO Mark Anderson, has kept details secret but has garnered significant industry interest.
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raises $750M to develop advanced nuclear reactors and medical tech
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raised $750 million in one of Seattle's largest private funding rounds to develop safer nuclear reactors and medical applications. The company is partnering with GE-Hitachi and funded partly by the U.S. DOE for a 500 MW demonstration reactor planned for Wyoming by 2028.
Seattle Startup Likewise Launches 'The Likewise Arcade' with Bill Gates-Backed $15M to Gamify Movie and TV Streaming
Seattle-based startup Likewise launched 'The Likewise Arcade,' a game platform featuring movie and TV content games like Moviedle and Posterdle, partnering with 12:01 Games. Backed by Bill Gates with $15 million investment, Likewise aims to gamify streaming entertainment by leveraging the popularity of games like Wordle.
Seattle's Zap Energy Raises $160M Led by Bill Gates and Creates Plasma in Fusion Prototype
Seattle startup Zap Energy announced a breakthrough in fusion power by creating plasma in its latest prototype and raising $160 million in funding led by Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The company aims to achieve fusion breakeven by increasing current in its innovative Z-pinch device.
Echodyne Secures $135M Funding Led by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford to Expand Next-Gen Radar Production
Echodyne, a radar technology company backed by Bill Gates and Baillie Gifford, secured $135 million in funding to expand production of its advanced radar systems used in drones, law enforcement, and infrastructure monitoring. The funding boosts its total investment to $195 million as it prepares to launch its next-generation radar with triple the range of its current product.
Omri Gazitt
Omri Gazitt is the co-founder and CEO of Aserto, an authorization startup and his third entrepreneurial venture. He’s spent the majority of his 30-year career working on developer and infrastructure technology, most recently as the CPO of Puppet. Previously, he was the VP and GM of HP’s Cloud Native Platform, and General Manager at Microsoft with responsibilities for Azure, SQL Server, Application Server, and the .NET Framework. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bill Gates Leads $84M Funding Round to Expand Kymeta's Flat-Panel Antenna Production and Market Reach
Bill Gates led an $84 million funding round for Kymeta, a mobile connectivity startup specializing in flat-panel antennas that provide hybrid cellular-satellite connectivity. The investment will support production acceleration and market expansion, especially for defense and satellite broadband users.
SeekOut raises $115M, valuation tops $1B to expand recruiting and internal-employee products
Seattle startup SeekOut raised $115 million to push its valuation past $1 billion, becoming a unicorn, and will use the funds to expand recruiting and internal-employee products. Its recruiting platform, used by over 1,000 companies, aggregates data on 700+ million candidates, has built-in diversity filters, and reports ARR of $25–$50 million after tripling in nine months.
ZeroAvia opens R&D center at Everett’s Paine Field; $5.5M refit and $350K Washington grant support hydrogen-electric powertrain work
ZeroAvia is opening an R&D center at Everett’s Paine Field near Seattle to develop hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrains, with plans to begin customer rollouts in 2024 and potentially build a North American manufacturing hub there. The Paine Field site converts warehouse space into offices and labs, received a $350,000 Washington grant, and will employ 20–30 people initially while ZeroAvia pursues larger-scale manufacturing and powertrains for bigger aircraft.
Napster Co‑founder Jordan Ritter’s Stealth Startup Augment AI Raises $3.45M Seed to ‘Supercharge’ Productivity
Augment AI Corp, a stealthy Seattle startup led by Napster co-founder Jordan Ritter and three other tech veterans, raised a $3.45 million seed round after spinning out of the Allen Institute for AI incubator to build software that aims to "supercharge" personal productivity by better integrating devices and apps.
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
