John Cook
John Cook is the Co-founder and Publisher of GeekWire, a media company where he continues to serve. He previously co-founded Tech Flash, also in media, and has held reporting roles at several publications. His expertise is in media executive leadership.
Fortune: Ineffable Intelligence names six nonfounders as cofounders, including four ex-DeepMind hires and an InstaDeep executive
Ineffable Intelligence granted the title of cofounder to six people—four from Google DeepMind, one from InstaDeep, and one from a Seattle venture firm—despite none having founded the ten-month-old London startup, which has no product and a $5... valuation reported by Fortune.
Bezos and Liverpool FC, a Meta vet's AI startup, Auger's Dallas move, and the demise of Microsoft's AI blob
This week: What should Liverpool FC fans expect from Jeff Bezos as a member of the storied club's new minority ownership group? We consult the Amazon leadership principles for the answer. Plus, a tip and an SEC filing lead to a scoop on a former Meta AI director's new startup, the GeekWire Editorial Board convenes to decide whether Dave Clark's Auger stays on the GeekWire 200 after moving its HQ to Dallas, and Microsoft quietly semi-retires its AI blob. Bezos and Liverpool FC Group including Jeff Bezos buys minority stake in Liverpool FC, with option to become controlling owner —…
GeekWire reports: Seattle Tech Week 2026 — AI dominates 250+ events as investors and job-seekers flock to Seattle
GeekWire's Todd Bishop reports from Seattle Tech Week 2026, where AI dominated conversations across more than 250 events and drew significant Bay Area investor interest and job-seeking attendees. Panels and speakers from OpenAI, Mistral AI, Ascend, Oumi and others highlighted debates about foundation models, enterprise data access, and the rush to build on third-party AI.
Microsoft’s Latest Layoffs Impact Xbox Amid Seattle Startups’ Rise, GeekWire 200 Highlights Hardware Growth
The GeekWire founder open house highlighted Microsoft's recent layoffs, including major changes at Xbox, and noted the surprising growth of hardware companies within the GeekWire 200. The event was supported by Delta Air Lines, Prime Team Partners, WTIA, and ALLtech.
GeekWire Founder Open House Spotlights Microsoft’s 4,800-Job Cuts, Xbox Overhaul and Hardware Surge on GeekWire 200
GeekWire’s founder open house covers Microsoft’s latest layoffs and Xbox overhaul, the rise of hardware companies on the GeekWire 200, and discussions with founders about how AI is reshaping product development and company operations.
Fusion energy: Wishing upon a star in a jar — Introducing 'Positive Charge' from GeekWire
This week on the show, we're sharing the debut of Positive Charge, a new GeekWire podcast from reporter Lisa Stiffler and producer Laura Scott about the innovations that could help save the planet. In this episode, they dig into the high-stakes race to harness the power of the sun and make fusion energy real, visiting two Seattle-area startups chasing this dream, and asking whether limitless clean power is finally within reach. Also out this week: their debut episode on the "forever chemicals" in our water and the companies figuring out how to destroy them. Follow Positive Charge wherever you get…
Temporal, $5 Billion Bellevue Startup, Named Crystal Palace Front-of-Shirt Sponsor for 2026/27 EPL Season
Temporal, a Bellevue-based developer tools startup valued at $5 billion, will be the front-of-shirt sponsor for Crystal Palace Football Club starting in the 2026/27 English Premier League season. This sponsorship deal aligns with the Premier League's new ban on gambling company logos on shirts, opening opportunities for new sponsors like Temporal.
2026 GeekWire Awards Celebrate Innovation with Luis Poggi and Tracy Drinkwater Among Honorees
The 2026 GeekWire Awards honored innovators reshaping work, building, and learning with highlights including STEM Educator of the Year Tracy Drinkwater and CEO of the Year Luis Poggi. The event featured finalists discussing AI and innovation, plus a trivia segment celebrating 15 years of GeekWire Awards history.
Seattle Startups Navigate AI-Driven Shift with Fewer Venture Deals, Amazon Bets, and Allbirds’ AI Infrastructure Pivot
Seattle-area startups face new challenges as the AI era drives fewer but larger venture investments, with regional tech hub definitions blurring and workforce reductions occurring among leading companies. Amazon is making strategic bets, and Allbirds is shifting focus toward AI infrastructure amid these changes.
Taylor Soper Named Director of Seattle’s AI House at AI2 Incubator After 13 Years at GeekWire
Taylor Soper is leaving GeekWire after more than 13 years as a reporter and editor to become director of AI House at AI2 Incubator, a key hub for AI founders and researchers in Seattle. His deep connections in the Seattle tech scene and editorial leadership will support his new role in the AI community.
Anthropic Acquires Seattle AI Startup Vercept Amid Investor Feud as Research Warns of AI Job Crisis by 2028
Anthropic acquired Seattle startup Vercept, raising questions about AI startup competition and ecosystem impact, while a research paper warns of AI-driven white-collar job losses by 2028. Additionally, revelations include Microsoft's past Epstein connections and a retrospective on the original Xbox unveiling.
Cleveland's Mayor, Seattle's Future: What happens when a city's economy shifts
GeekWire brought Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Seattle tech veteran Charles Fitzgerald together on the phone Thursday after a guest column warning Seattle not to repeat Cleveland's past mistakes sparked a big response — including from Bibb himself. What followed was a constructive conversation about what cities should do when the economic ground shifts beneath them. Plus: a Seattle-to-Cleveland trip may be in the works. Related Links A warning to Seattle: Don’t become the next Cleveland Cleveland mayor responds to GeekWire guest column, calls Ohio city a ‘case study of what’s possible’ Mayor Bibb on LinkedIn: "For decades, national narratives…
Amazon Announces $200 Billion AI Infrastructure Investment Amid Microsoft Market Value Drop and AI Industry Insights from Oren Etzioni
Amazon plans $200 billion in capital expenses this year mainly to expand AI infrastructure, while Microsoft experiences a significant market value drop due to OpenAI reliance. AI expert Oren Etzioni discusses AI agents, deepfakes, and AI industry dynamics in a GeekWire Podcast interview.
Amazon's big bet, a 'MySpace for bots', and a conversation with AI veteran Oren Etzioni
Upcoming GeekWire Podcast Live Event: Join us from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb 12 at Fremont Brewing for a live recording of the GeekWire Podcast with Todd Bishop and John Cook. Free for Fremont Chamber members, $15 otherwise. Register here. This week on the show: Andy Jassy tells Wall Street that Amazon is planning $200 billion in capital expenses this year, mostly to build out AI infrastructure, and investors give it a thumbs down. Microsoft's financial results beat expectations but the company loses $357 billion in market value in a single day after investors learn the extent of…
Unsealed Documents Reveal AWS as OpenAI's Original Partner Before Microsoft; Satya Nadella Debuts New AI Catchphrase
Newly unsealed court documents reveal that Amazon Web Services was OpenAI's original partner before Microsoft, as discussed on the GeekWire Podcast. The episode also covers Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's new AI catchphrase, Elon Musk's comments on aliens, and developments in Seattle-area physical AI startups.
Microsoft's private OpenAI emails and Satya Nadella’s new AI catchphrase
Newly unsealed court documents reveal the behind-the-scenes history of Microsoft and OpenAI · including a surprise: Amazon Web Services was the Silicon Valley AI lab's original partner. Plus, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella debuts a new AI catchphrase at Davos, startup CEO Dave Clark gets attention for his "wildly productive weekend," Elon Musk talks aliens, and the latest on physical AI startups in the Pacific Northwest, including Overland AI and AIM Intelligent Machines. With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop; edited by Curt Milton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff Bezos Launches $6.2B AI Startup Project Prometheus as Amazon Pilots Package-Return Kiosks in Seattle Goodwill Stores
Jeff Bezos launches Project Prometheus, a $6.2 billion AI startup, Amazon pilots package-return kiosks at Seattle Goodwill stores, and a debate arises over upgrading an old car with new tech on the GeekWire Podcast.
Seattle Hardware Firms Glowforge and Rad Power Bikes Face Financial Collapse Amid Pandemic Boom and Overfunding
Seattle hardware companies Glowforge and Rad Power Bikes, once pandemic-era boomers, face severe financial struggles due to manufacturing challenges and overfunding. Their difficulties highlight a broader regional trend of high hopes and tough realities in consumer hardware startups.
Amazon Lays Off 14,000 Amid Seattle AI Boom; GeekWire Podcast Debates Tech Bubble and Cascadia Rail Plan
Amazon announced layoffs of 14,000 employees amid an AI boom reshaping Seattle's tech scene, raising questions about whether the AI surge is a true revolution or a bubble. The GeekWire Podcast also discussed the vision and challenges of the proposed Cascadia high-speed rail connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C.
University of Chicago Student Maddie Stoll Chronicles Seattle GeekWire Internship Featuring Microsoft Protest and Startup Interviews
Maddie Stoll, a University of Chicago student from London, shares her immersive GeekWire internship experience in Seattle, highlighting diverse stories from protests at Microsoft's campus to startup interviews and cultural contrasts with London and Chicago.
Seattle Tech Over 15 Years: Amazon's Massive Growth, Microsoft’s Revival, and Silicon Valley’s Expansion into the City
Over the past 15 years, Seattle's tech scene has transformed significantly, with Amazon growing massively, Microsoft making a strong comeback, and the startup community becoming more distributed. Additionally, major Silicon Valley companies established engineering centers in Seattle, intensifying talent competition and driving up salaries.
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.
Stargate, OpenAI and Microsoft; BlueSky in Seattle; and Madrona's big new funds
This week, we delve into the Project Stargate announcement by OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank, in conjunction with President Trump, and assess the implications for OpenAi's relationship with Microsoft. We explain what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella really meant with his CNBC zinger about the Stargate investment, and consider how Elon Musk's involvement in the new administration could play out in the tech industry. PLUS, we discuss Madrona's big new funds and the potential impact on startup activity in the Pacific NW, and find a revealing piece of Microsoft history on an old CD-ROM. Related stories: Microsoft and OpenAI tweak the terms…
GeekWire Podcast Discusses Uber's Possible Expedia Acquisition, Steve Ballmer Profile, and AI Future with Microsoft Research President
The GeekWire Podcast explores Uber's potential acquisition of Expedia, highlighting Dara Khosrowshahi's roles in both companies, features a '60 Minutes' profile of Steve Ballmer and Silicon Valley history, and discusses AI's future with Microsoft Research president Peter Lee.
'Seattle Freeze' Social Dynamic Criticized and Debated at WTIA FullConTech; Industry Leaders Call for Action in Seattle Startup Scene
Discussion about the 'Seattle Freeze' social dynamic resurfaced at the WTIA FullConTech conference, highlighting challenges for startup founders in Seattle. Industry leaders debated the issue, with some urging focus on actionable solutions over complaints.
Organizations
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GeekWire Co-founder and Publisher, GeekWire 2011–present · current
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GeekWire Co-founder and Publisher, GeekWire · current
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Tech Flash Co-founder 2008–2011 · past
Education
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Gettysburg College BA, History · 1990–1994
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Wooster High School
