Kurt Schlosser
Kurt Schlosser is a photographer and reporter associated with GeekWire and Recompose, mentioned in multiple GeekWire articles.
Agnes Kim announces ViaJiin: LLC formed months before July layoff, first orders shipped this month
Agnes Kim began building ViaJiin nine months before being laid off, forming an LLC, running supplier talks and focus groups while still employed; she announced the company two days after the layoff, shipped first orders this month, and has no co-founder, hand-packing every box.
Motorola Solutions Leads $125M Round for Brinc to Expand 911 Drone Manufacturing and HQ
Seattle-based emergency-response drone maker Brinc raised $125 million in a round led by Motorola Solutions to expand manufacturing, bring new products to market, and move into a larger Seattle headquarters and factory later this year. The funding comes amid U.S. restrictions on Chinese-made drones; Brinc’s valuation has nearly doubled from $480 million a year ago, bringing total funding to over $280 million.
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.
Zuckerberg's yacht, Meta's layoffs, a robot pizza flameout, and a reality check on AI expenses
This week on the show: Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht arrives in Seattle the same day Meta discloses nearly 1,400 local layoffs, robot pizza startup Picnic flames out and sells to a mystery buyer, and corporate America confronts the rising cost of AI, including the leaderboard-gaming practice known as "tokenmaxxing." And we return to the theme of billionaire yachts for our trivia challenge. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seattle Startup Boundless Reports H-1B Reforms Favor High Earners, Imposing $100,000 Fee, Raising Hiring Costs
New H-1B visa rules favor higher-wage international workers by giving them better lottery odds and imposing a $100,000 fee per application, making hiring more expensive for startups and rural employers. Seattle startup Boundless Immigration reports these reforms address previous criticisms but create challenges for entry-level international hires.
GeekWire Awards to Honor AI House and UW’s Center for an Informed Public for Advancing AI and Media Literacy on May 7
The GeekWire Awards will honor AI House and the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public for their contributions to AI innovation and education on misinformation. The awards ceremony will be held on May 7 at Showbox SoDo in Seattle, recognizing impactful community initiatives in the Pacific Northwest.
Ara Partners to acquire Sedron Technologies with up to $500M to scale sewage and dairy-waste treatment facilities
Washington wastewater startup Sedron Technologies is being acquired by Ara Partners, which will invest up to $500 million to scale deployment of its sewage and dairy-waste treatment facilities that produce fertilizer and clean energy.
Rec Room, Seattle Social Gaming Platform Valued at $3.5B, Shuts Down June 1 Amid Profitability Challenges
Seattle-based social gaming platform Rec Room, once valued at $3.5 billion, will shut down on June 1 after a decade in operation due to difficulties in achieving profitability. This ends the run of one of Seattle's most notable startup unicorns.
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.
GeekWire Podcast, Live from Fremont: Seahawks, AI, and Seattle's Future
We're live this week in the "Center of the Universe" in Seattle for a special recording of the GeekWire Podcast, presented by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at Fremont Brewing Co. Fresh off the Seahawks' Super Bowl victory, we debate some potential ownership groups for the Seahawks and Sonics — from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to Costco's Jim Sinegal. (Who wouldn't want $1.50 hot dogs and sodas at Lumen Field or Climate Pledge Arena?) Then we dig into the debate over Seattle's tech future, sparked by angel investor Charles Fitzgerald's GeekWire column, "A warning to Seattle: Don't become the…
Seattle Faces Risk of Decline Like Cleveland Due to Civic Complacency and Strained Tech-Government Relations Amid AI Competition
The article warns that Seattle could follow Cleveland’s decline if it fails to address civic complacency, strained government-tech relations, and lack of focus on future industries, especially in the evolving AI landscape. Cleveland, once a powerhouse city, experienced rapid economic and population decline due to similar issues, serving as a cautionary example.
Carta: Seattle Ranked No. 6 in 2025 U.S. Cities for Startup Capital Raised with Nearly $2 Billion
Carta’s 2025 city rankings show Seattle remained sixth in the U.S. for startup capital raised with nearly $2 billion (2.9% of Carta-tracked funding), similar to its 2024 position. Major Seattle-area rounds included TerraPower ($650M), Stoke Space ($510M), Helion Energy ($425M), and others across software, AI, hardware, and fintech.
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.
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’s Tech Sector Struggles with Microsoft and Amazon Layoffs, $146M Budget Deficit Projected
Seattle's tech scene faces challenges due to layoffs at Microsoft and Amazon, leading to decreased retail spending, restaurant closures, and a projected $146 million city budget deficit. Despite these setbacks, the AI boom may alter hiring trends and create new opportunities for startups in the region.
Paul Allen’s Estate Launches $3.1B Fund for Science and Technology, Highlighting His Legacy and Philanthropy
Paul Allen's estate has launched a new $3.1 billion Fund for Science and Technology, reviving interest in the late Microsoft co-founder's legacy, philanthropy, and vision. A 2011 interview reveals his motivations behind philanthropy, his relationship with Bill Gates, and his diverse passions.
Seattle Shield Initiative Proposes Raising B&O Tax Exemption to $2M, Increasing Rates for Large Tech Firms Starting November Vote
Seattle voters will decide in November on the Seattle Shield initiative, which raises the B&O tax exemption from $100,000 to $2 million, relieving small businesses but increasing taxes for larger ones. For tech startups, this means early-stage companies pay less in taxes, while those scaling past $2 million in revenue will face higher rates.
GeekWire 200 Survey Finds 59% of Seattle Startup CEOs Plan Moderate Hiring Growth Amid AI-Driven Productivity Gains
A GeekWire 200 survey reveals that most Seattle-area tech startup CEOs plan moderate hiring growth while nearly 90% report productivity gains from AI tools. Companies remain cautious about headcount increases as they assess AI's impact amid broader market volatility.
VCs Urge Startups to Focus Long-Term Despite $3 Trillion Market Loss from Trump’s Tariff Announcement
Venture capitalists advise startups to maintain a long-term focus despite uncertainty caused by President Trump’s new tariffs, which triggered a $3 trillion market value loss. While tariffs pose short-term challenges for hardware and manufacturing startups, many emphasize resilience and product-centric growth strategies.
Seattle Emerges as Leading Hub for Supply Chain Software Startups Backed by Amazon and Convoy Veterans
Seattle has become a leading hub for supply chain software innovation, driven by logistics giants like Amazon and startups such as Convoy and Shipium. The region's unique talent pool, supported by global companies and advances in technology, is fostering significant growth and investment in logistics startups.
Seattle Rises to Third in U.S. SaaS Startup Funding Rankings, Fifth in Overall Capital Raised
Seattle ranked third in SaaS startup funding based on Carta data for the first time, highlighting its growing strength in software innovation driven by major companies and AI talent. The city's overall funding position improved to fifth place nationally, signaling increased investment across tech sectors.
Ex-Amazon CEO Dave Clark Launches AI-Powered Supply Chain Startup Auger with $100M Funding
Dave Clark, former Amazon and Flexport CEO, founded Auger, a supply chain technology startup with $100 million in Series A funding from Oak HC/FT. Auger offers an AI-powered platform aimed at improving decision-making for large companies with complex global supply chains.
Samantha Holloway, Tech Startup Co-Founder, Becomes Co-Owner and Executive Chair of Seattle Kraken NHL Team
Samantha Holloway, co-founder of tech startup GoSpotCheck, leverages her entrepreneurial experience to lead the NHL's Seattle Kraken as a co-owner and chair of the executive committee. She joined as a minority investor in 2021 and is one of the few female principal owners in the league.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Mandates Full-Time Office Return and Reduces Managers by 15% by Early 2025
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that starting January 2025, employees will be required to work from the office five days a week, reversing the work-from-home flexibility adopted during the pandemic. Additionally, Amazon plans to reduce the number of managers to increase individual contributors by 15% by the end of Q1 2025 to foster streamlined decision-making and collaboration.
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