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 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.
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.
Modern Electron files for $30M raise to scale heat-to-electricity converters, led by CEO Tony Pan and CTO Max Mankin
Modern Electron, an Intellectual Ventures spinoff, is raising $30 million per an SEC filing to commercialize its heat-to-electricity converters that capture wasted heat from furnaces, hot water tanks and industrial sources. The Bothell, Washington startup previously raised about $40 million including backing tied to Bill Gates, and is led by co-founders CEO Tony Pan and CTO Max Mankin.
Uplevel to Trial Permanent Four-Day Workweek, Giving All Employees Fridays Off to Combat Burnout
Seattle startup Uplevel, a 27-person remote spinout of Madrona Venture Labs, will trial a permanent four-day workweek (Fridays off) starting after the holidays to boost productivity, mental health and culture, with the experiment running through the first quarter and including monthly check-ins.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates) leads $65M funding for Stoke Space’s fully reusable-rocket program
Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures is leading a $65 million investment in Stoke Space to support development of fully reusable rockets aimed at cutting launch costs and enabling faster, lower-cost access to satellites for climate-monitoring applications.
Amazon’s $2B Climate Pledge Fund Invests in Hippo Harvest and Amogy to Cut Grocery and Shipping Emissions
Amazon’s $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund has invested in two climate tech startups — Hippo Harvest, which develops closed-loop greenhouse systems using robotics and ML to cut water use and emissions, and Amogy, which converts ammonia into power for heavy transport — part of Amazon’s push to reach net zero by 2040. The moves aim to reduce emissions across Amazon’s grocery stores and shipping operations amid rising company emissions.
BattGenie selected for Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL, awarded $250,000 non-dilutive funding
BattGenie, a University of Washington spinoff, won $250,000 in non-dilutive funding and access to R&D resources after being selected for the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL; the company develops software to improve fast charging and extend life of lithium batteries for EVs, consumer electronics and battery manufacturers.
General Fusion raises $130M with Bezos Expeditions participation, total funding reaches ~$300M as firm readies UK fusion demonstration plant
General Fusion raised $130 million, bringing its total funding to about $300 million, with participation from Jeff Bezos’s Bezos Expeditions; the company will use the funds to advance its fusion technology, build a Fusion Demonstration Plant near London, and expand research facilities in Vancouver and Tennessee.
Deal mania reshuffles GeekWire 200: M&A, IPOs and SPACs push top firms out while Blue Origin stays No. 1
A surge of M&A, IPO and SPAC activity — labeled 'deal mania' — reshuffled the GeekWire 200 rankings, removing several top-10 companies that went public or were acquired and creating openings for new entrants; Blue Origin remains No. 1 while more deal-making and rule changes about private equity-owned companies promise further shake-ups.
Helion Raises $500M — Potential $1.7B More — to Build Polaris Fusion Generator, Aiming for 2024 Demonstration in Everett, Wash.
Helion Energy raised $500 million (with up to $1.7 billion more contingent on milestones) to build its Polaris fusion generator and finish a demonstration facility in Everett, Wash., aiming to operate in 2024 and move toward commercializing fusion power.
Echodyne wins $20M, five-year DHS CBP contract to expand EchoGuard radar deployment at U.S. borders
Echodyne won a $20 million, five-year contract from DHS Customs and Border Protection to expand deployment and explore new uses of its compact EchoGuard radars at U.S. borders and ports, after already delivering 30 systems under the IDIQ agreement.
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
