Lisa Stiffler
Lisa Stiffler is a journalist who covers nonprofits, companies, and researchers applying technology to environmental, energy, health, transit, education and other societal challenges; she has worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, freelanced for The Seattle Times, and written for outlets including Seattle's Child, Sightline Institute, NPR, MSNBC, Smithsonian Magazine, GeekWire and CoMotion News.
Rad Power Bikes Launches $2,499 RadTrike Three-Wheeled E-Bike Shipping January 2023 Amid Leadership Changes
Rad Power Bikes announced the RadTrike, a three-wheeled electric bike available for pre-order at $2,499 and shipping starting January 2023, aiming to provide accessible cycling options. The company recently underwent leadership changes and faced operational challenges including layoffs, lawsuits, and a product recall.
Seattle Startup Nvirovate Raises $850K to Commercialize Soy-Based Compostable Adhesives Cutting 70% Greenhouse Gases
Seattle startup Nvirovate is commercializing a soy-based, compostable adhesive to replace petroleum-based glues in shipping labels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70%. Founded in May 2021, Nvirovate recently secured $850,000 in angel investments to expand into the $80 billion global tape and label market.
Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator Launches Second Cohort Including Carbon Capture and Propulsion Startups
The Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator announced its second cohort featuring five startups and one community organization focusing on maritime technology innovations like bladeless propulsion and carbon capture. The incubator supports these companies with mentorship, networking, and programming to drive economic growth and diversity in Washington state's maritime sector.
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 Startup Koidra and Four U.S. Universities Awarded $3.77M USDA Grant for AI Indoor Farming Tech
Seattle-based indoor agriculture startup Koidra received a $3.77 million USDA research grant to advance AI-driven indoor farming technologies, collaborating with four U.S. universities over four years. Founded by former Microsoft scientist Kenneth Tran, Koidra applies model-based reinforcement learning to optimize plant growth, building on successes like winning the Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge.
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.
Seattle Startup Lithos Secures $6.29M Seed to Expand Basalt-Based Carbon Removal for Agriculture
Seattle agtech startup Lithos raised $6.29 million in seed funding to scale its carbon removal technology that spreads crushed basalt rock on cropland to capture carbon and improve soil nutrients. The company, launched in March and serving over 1,000 acres, sells carbon credits to corporations and shares revenue with farmers.
Unified Women’s Healthcare Acquires Menopause Telehealth Startup Gennev to Expand Care Network
Unified Women’s Healthcare acquired Seattle telehealth startup Gennev, which focuses on menopause care, allowing Gennev to scale further within a large network of specialists. Gennev, founded by Jill Angelo in 2016, offers products and services for perimenopause and menopause, operating independently within the Florida-based parent company's platform.
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.
Seattle Startup PairTree Launches Mobile App to Connect Expectant Moms With Adoptive Families Nationwide
Seattle startup PairTree launched a mobile app to connect expectant mothers with families interested in adoption, offering a more accessible, affordable, and quicker private domestic adoption process. Since 2020, over 4,500 adoptive families and 450 birth moms have registered, with the platform emphasizing open adoptions and donating 5% of net profits to support birth mothers.
Rad Power Bikes Launches First E-Bike Subscription in Berlin via Partnership with Cycle
Rad Power Bikes, a leading North American e-bike company, has launched its first subscription rental plan in Berlin through a partnership with German company Cycle, offering RadRunner and RadWagon models for about €79.90 monthly. This pilot project in Europe aims to gather insights for global expansion as Rad continues growing following significant recent investments and increased demand.
Seattle Startup Tribute Loses $3M Seed Funding When Lead Investor Bails Out, Receives $250K from Engage
Sarah Haggard's Seattle startup Tribute lost a $3 million seed funding round when the lead investor backed out, causing major setbacks including key staff departures. However, partial investment from Engage and interest from its partners enabled Tribute to continue pursuing opportunities and pivot its business model.
Seattle Startup DroneSeed Uses FAA-Approved Drones to Replant Thousands of Wildfire-Damaged Acres, Raises $36M in Funding
DroneSeed, a Seattle startup, uses FAA-approved heavy lift drones to replant forests over hundreds of acres damaged by wildfires in the U.S. Since 2019, it has reseeded thousands of acres and recently secured $36 million in venture capital to scale its efforts. Partnering with One Tree Planted, DroneSeed aims to support reforestation and benefit from growing carbon credit markets.
Seattle Cannabis Startup Polite Launches Science-Backed THC and CBD Products Focusing on Health Since 2020
Seattle-based cannabis startup Polite offers science-backed, health-focused THC and CBD products launched in 2020 and 2022, aiming to reframe cannabis as a polite self-care solution. The company partners with physicians to study patient outcomes and emphasizes medical benefits over recreational use.
Tom Alberg, Early Amazon Investor and Seattle Tech Champion, Dies at 82
Tom Alberg, a Seattle business leader and early Amazon investor who was pivotal in Pacific Northwest tech growth and co-founded Madrona Venture Group, died peacefully at 82. He was also notable for his roles in aerospace law, McCaw Cellular Communications, and helping launch the Alliance of Angels.
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.
Group14 Technologies Secures $400M Series C Led by Porsche to Scale Advanced Silicon-Carbon Battery Anode
Group14 Technologies raised $400 million in Series C funding led by Porsche AG to commercialize its silicon-carbon composite battery anode technology, which improves lithium-ion battery performance by 50%. The company plans to quickly scale production to meet demand from automotive, aviation, and consumer electronics sectors.
Coinstar Founder Jens Molbak Champions 'Tri-Sector Innovation' with NewImpact Nonprofit Since 2020
Jens Molbak, founder of Coinstar and NewImpact, pioneered a business model integrating private, public, and nonprofit sectors to create social impact, promoting 'tri-sector innovation' through his nonprofit NewImpact. His experience with Coinstar inspired a new way of doing business that benefits multiple sectors simultaneously.
Evok Innovations Raises $150M for North American Clean-Tech Investments with Seattle Partner Naynika Chaubey
Evok Innovations, a Vancouver-based venture capital firm specializing in clean technology, has raised $150 million of a $300 million fund to invest in North American clean-tech startups. Seattle-based partner Naynika Chaubey, who joined Evok in November, has a background in deep tech and clean power investments and co-founded two startups.
Avalanche Energy, Founded by Blue Origin Vets, Raises $5M to Develop Small-Scale Fusion Device, Achieves First Neutron Fusion
Avalanche Energy, founded by former Blue Origin executives Robin Langtry and Brian Riordan, is developing a small-scale fusion energy device and recently raised $5 million in seed funding. The Seattle-based startup has generated its first neutrons via fusion and secured an international patent, aiming for a simpler, scalable fusion solution.
Armoire opens Armoire Go in Seattle using RFID-tagged garments for contactless pickups, returns and swaps
Seattle clothing rental startup Armoire opened Armoire Go, a high-tech physical store that uses RFID-tagged apparel and a contactless tablet-and-table system to let subscribers pick up, return, try on, and swap items quickly. The store aims to combine online convenience with in-person experience, improve operational efficiency, and required hand-sewing RFID tags into about 75,000 garments before launch.
Allumia raises $7.5M Series A2 to underwrite no-money-down commercial energy-efficiency upgrades
Seattle-based energy-efficiency startup Allumia raised $7.5 million in a Series A2 led by JW Asset Management, bringing total funding to $10 million to finance no-money-down commercial equipment upgrades. The company underwrites 5–7 year loans for lighting, refrigeration and HVAC projects ($50,000–$5M), provides rebate and performance monitoring, and serves customers nationwide including warehouses, stadiums and retail chains.
Nonprofit TisBest Has Enabled $51M in Donations Through Customizable Biodegradable Charity Gift Cards
Nonprofit Seattle startup TisBest, which issues customizable biodegradable charity gift cards redeemable at the recipients chosen charities, has facilitated $51 million in donations since its founding despite early setbacks. The founders credit mission-driven persistence, celebrity endorsements, and partnerships (including $4 million in giveaway cards from Ray Dalio) for the companys growth and environmental and philanthropic impact.
Goodbill raises $3.4M seed to fight medical billing errors, launches free COVID test-claim tool
Seattle startup Goodbill, founded by Patrick Haig and Ian Sefferman, helps patients identify and dispute medical billing errors and launched a free tool to submit COVID-19 rapid-test reimbursement claims after new federal coverage rules. The company raised $3.4 million in a December seed round led by Founders’ Co-op, with participation from Maveron, Liquid 2 Ventures and several angel investors.
Aigen raises $4M seed from NEA to build solar‑powered, AI robots that remove weeds and regenerate soil
Aigen, a Kirkland, Washington ag‑tech startup building solar‑powered, AI-driven robots that autonomously identify and remove weeds while aiding soil regeneration, raised $4 million in seed funding led by NEA. The two‑founder company—Rich Wurden and Kenny Lee—has five employees, is testing prototypes with Idaho sugar beet farmers, and plans alpha then beta trials through 2023.
Organizations
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CoMotion News Reporter · current
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GeekWire Reporter · current
