Kevin Lisota
Kevin Lisota is currently Co-Founder at Akari Photo Tours and works as a photographer and videographer at Kevin Lisota Photography, as well as a photographer at GeekWire. He founded Akari Photo Tours, which is still running, and has expertise in photography, videography, guiding, and instruction.
2024 GeekWire Awards on May 9 in Seattle to Honor Over 50 Pacific Northwest Tech Innovators
The 2024 GeekWire Awards event will be held on May 9 in Seattle to honor top innovators and leaders in tech from the Pacific Northwest, with over 50 finalists across multiple categories. Tickets are limited and the ceremony features awards, a dinner, and entertainment.
2024 GeekWire Awards CEO of the Year Finalists Include Leaders from Lexion, Common Room, Edge Delta, Statsig, and Mason
The 2024 GeekWire Awards CEO of the Year finalists are software veterans leading startups focused on enterprise solutions such as AI-powered contract management, data analysis, and A/B testing. These finalists include Gaurav Oberoi of Lexion, Linda Lian of Common Room, Ozan Unlu of Edge Delta, Vijaye Raji of Statsig, and Nancy Xiao of Mason.
Apptio Co-Founder Sunny Gupta Reflects on Building a $4.6 Billion Tech Business Following Key CIO Insight
Sunny Gupta, co-founder of Apptio, shared how a pivotal question from a CIO about managing technology costs inspired him to found the company, which pioneered Technology Business Management. Apptio went public in 2016, was acquired by Vista Equity Partners for nearly $2 billion in 2019, and then bought by IBM in a $4.6 billion deal in 2023.
Guardrails AI, co-founded by Diego Oppenheimer, raises $7.5M seed funding to improve AI safety
Guardrails AI, a San Francisco startup co-founded by Diego Oppenheimer, raised $7.5 million in a seed round to help companies manage AI application risks with its open source platform. The company aims to enable safer, more reliable AI development, led by CEO Shreya Rajpal and backed by investors including Zetta Venture Partners and Factory.
Washington State Commerce Leads Six Tech Companies, Including Artly, to CES 2024 in Las Vegas
The Washington State Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of six innovative tech companies, including Seattle-based robotic barista maker Artly, to the CES 2024 event in Las Vegas from Tuesday to Thursday. The delegation emphasizes companies with global business potential and is partially funded by a U.S. Small Business Administration grant to boost international sales.
Zulily Shuts Seattle Headquarters and Two Warehouses, Laying Off Over 792 Employees in 2023
Zulily is closing its Seattle headquarters and two warehouses in Nevada and Ohio, resulting in layoffs of over 792 employees. The company, recently acquired by Regent private equity, has faced financial difficulties including lawsuits for unpaid invoices and multiple rounds of layoffs in 2023.
No New Seattle Unicorns in 2023 as Venture Capital Slows and Former Unicorn Convoy Collapses
Seattle saw no new unicorn startups in 2023 amid a broader venture capital slowdown following a boom during the pandemic, with some existing unicorns like Convoy collapsing and others cutting costs or staff. This trend reflects a global decrease in new unicorns, dropping from 619 in 2021 to only 64 through Q3 2023.
Amazon Exec Dave Limp Named New CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Space Venture
Dave Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services, will become CEO of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture starting December. The current CEO Bob Smith is retiring but will remain through January to support the transition.
Seattle Robotic Coffee Startup Artly Raises Over $518K on StartEngine at $100M Valuation
Seattle-based robotic coffee startup Artly raised over $518,000 through an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine at a $100 million valuation, enabling non-accredited investors to buy shares. CEO Meng Wang highlighted crowdfunding's alignment with Artly's consumer-focused mission and noted investor support despite initial resistance to this fundraising route.
Friends and Family Establish $250K Richard Tait Award Fund to Support Young Entrepreneurs
Friends and family of the late Seattle entrepreneur Richard Tait are raising $250,000 to create the Richard Tait Spirit of Innovation Award, providing $10,000 annually to support young entrepreneurs. Tait, a Microsoft veteran and board game creator, passed away in June 2022 from COVID-19 complications.
AltPep Raises $52.9M to Advance Early Detection and Treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
AltPep, a University of Washington spinout developing tests and treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, raised $52.9 million in Series B funding to advance clinical trials and regulatory approval for its early detection blood test. The company targets toxic oligomers linked to Alzheimer’s and a related protein in Parkinson’s, aiming to enable early screening and preventive treatment.
Convoy Co-founder Grant Goodale Steps Down as Chief Experience Officer After Eight Years Amid Company Growth and Layoffs
Grant Goodale, co-founder of Seattle-based trucking startup Convoy, is stepping down as chief experience officer after eight years to spend more time with his family. Convoy, valued at $3.8 billion, aims to optimize trucking logistics but recently faced layoffs amid economic challenges.
Humanly Raises $12M to Expand AI Recruiting Software Used by Microsoft and Seattle Storm
Seattle-based recruiting automation startup Humanly raised $12 million to expand its AI-powered hiring software, which is used by clients like Microsoft and Seattle Storm. The company is enhancing its SMS chatbots and generative AI tools to improve efficiency, reduce bias, and maintain consistent candidate data throughout the hiring process.
Bobby Wagner, NASA Astronaut Kayla Barron, and 'Love is Blind' Star Share Teamwork Wisdom at 2023 GeekWire Awards
At the 2023 GeekWire Awards in Seattle, Seattle Seahawks linebacker and Fuse venture partner Bobby Wagner, NASA astronaut Kayla Barron, and a 'Love is Blind' star shared insights emphasizing teamwork, culture, and empowerment with the Pacific Northwest tech community.
Seattle VC Firm Ascend Raises $25M Second Fund to Boost AI Investments Amid Market Downturn
Seattle-based pre-seed venture capital firm Ascend, led by Kirby Winfield, raised a $25 million second fund focused on doubling down on artificial intelligence investments amid a challenging startup funding environment. Winfield, who has backed over 70 startups, predicts a further valuation correction but remains committed to early-stage investing.
Washington State Tech Companies Including Amazon, HaptX, and Elektrobit Showcase Innovations at CES 2023 in Las Vegas
CES 2023 is returning to Las Vegas with about 100,000 expected attendees, featuring a range of Washington state companies from startups to giants like Amazon showcasing innovations in tech fields such as AR/VR, IoT, automotive software, and more. GeekWire highlights key exhibitors including Amazon, Ant Reality, Bluetooth SIG, Elektrobit, HaptX, and Heybike among others.
Rad Power Bikes CEO Mike Radenbaugh Steps Down, Phil Molyneux Named Successor Amid Company Challenges
Rad Power Bikes CEO Mike Radenbaugh is stepping down and will be replaced by Phil Molyneux, former Sony Electronics president, while Radenbaugh stays on as chairman. The company, valued at $1.65 billion in 2021 and having raised $304 million last year, has faced layoffs, lawsuits, and a large product recall recently.
Jim Cramer Recommends Ex-T-Mobile CEO John Legere for Twitter CEO Role, Elon Musk Declines
Jim Cramer proposed John Legere, former T-Mobile CEO known for his social media engagement, as Twitter CEO after Elon Musk's acquisition, but Musk rejected the idea. Legere's approach at T-Mobile heavily involved Twitter for customer interaction and corporate strategy.
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.
OceanGate's Stockton Rush Leads Crewed Submersible Dives to Titanic, Plans Expanding Deep-Sea Exploration Frontiers
OceanGate's president Stockton Rush has pioneered crewed submersible dives to the Titanic wreck, aiming to inspire public interest in ocean exploration. The company plans to expand its deep-sea ventures beyond Titanic expeditions, combining scientific research with commercial tourism.
2022 GeekWire Summit Returns to Seattle's Block 41 with In-Person and Virtual Access October 6-7
The 2022 GeekWire Summit will be held on October 6-7 at Block 41 in Seattle, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options with a lineup including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. Registered attendees can access live streams and on-demand sessions, and the event features business casual attire with a Mariners apparel theme on Friday.
Paresh Rajwat Appointed Meta's Pacific Northwest Office Head Amid Metaverse Expansion and Company-Wide Cutbacks
Paresh Rajwat has been named Meta's new head of office for the Pacific Northwest, overseeing more than 8,000 employees in the region as part of Meta's metaverse expansion. Despite company-wide layoffs and reduced growth projections amid economic challenges, Rajwat remains optimistic about the Pacific Northwest's critical role in Meta's future.
Four Startup CEOs Finalists to Compete Live at GeekWire Summit After Winning Season 3 Elevator Pitch
The four finalists of GeekWire’s Elevator Pitch Season 3—Amina Moreau of Radious, Devin Miller of SecureSave, Erin Quick of PairTree, and Katherine Sizov of Strella Biotechnology—will compete live at the GeekWire Summit on October 6-7. Each CEO delivered a 32-second pitch in Seattle’s Smith Tower to win their episodes, previewed on the GeekWire Podcast.
GeekWire Elevator Pitch Final Episode Features Seattle Sustainability Startups Competing for 2022 Summit Finale Spot
The final episode of GeekWire's Elevator Pitch features three Seattle-area sustainability startup CEOs pitching their innovations in a timed elevator ride, with the winner advancing to the live finale at the 2022 GeekWire Summit on October 6. The startups include Strella Biotechnology, BattGenie, and Aquagga, focusing on produce ripeness sensing, battery longevity, and PFAS destruction respectively.
GeekWire’s Elevator Pitch S3 Features PairTree, Spot Tot, and Welcome Home CEOs Pitching Consumer Startups
GeekWire's Elevator Pitch season three features three consumer startup CEOs—Erin Quick of PairTree, Robin Waterman of Spot Tot, and Ashley Michael of Welcome Home—pitching their companies to a panel of judges in Seattle's Smith Tower. The season's finale will occur on October 6, 2022, at the GeekWire Summit.
Organizations
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Akari Photo Tours Co-Founder 2023–present · current
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Kevin Lisota Photography Photographer / Videographer 2014–present · current
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GeekWire Photographer · current
Education
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Tokyo Institute of Technology Chemical Engineering · 1993–1994
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University of Wisconsin-Madison BS, Chemical Engineering/East Asian Studies
