Nate Bek
Nate Bek is Principal at Ascend, where he also serves as Senior Associate and Head of Research. He has expertise in deeptech and applied AI, and previously worked as a reporter at GeekWire.
Flyhomes Acquires Seattle’s Loftium to Expand Host-to-Own Real Estate Services
Flyhomes has acquired Seattle-based host-to-own real estate platform Loftium, expanding its home-buying services while retaining Loftium’s team and operations amid a challenging market. Loftium’s unique model enables buyers to use rental income from Airbnb hosting to finance down payments, a program launched a year ago.
Glowforge Launches Magic Canvas AI Image Generator for 3D Laser Printing Creations
Glowforge launched Magic Canvas, an AI-powered image generator that creates artwork from text prompts optimized for 3D laser printing on materials like wood and acrylic. The tool simplifies the design process by producing copyright-free images ready for engraving and cutting.
Seattle Food Automation Startup Picnic Lays Off Employees Amid Tech Downturn, Keeps Domino's Partnership
Seattle-based food automation startup Picnic, maker of a pizza-making robot, is laying off employees amid the tech industry downturn to reduce costs and extend its cash runway. Despite staffing cuts, Picnic maintains partnerships with Domino's and several universities, with plans for further installations in the U.S. and Canada.
Seattle Startup Whalesync Raises $1.8M to Expand No-Code Data Sync Tool for Businesses
Whalesync, a Seattle-based startup founded by Curtis Fonger and Matthew Busel, raised $1.8 million to develop a no-code data syncing tool for businesses. The platform simplifies syncing data across software apps and is used by hundreds of customers, competing with companies like Zapier and HubSpot.
Seattle Startup Valid8 Financial Raises $1.25M Debt to Support Forensic Accounting in Major White-Collar Crime Cases
Seattle startup Valid8 Financial offers a forensic accounting platform used by lawyers, CPAs, and government agencies to analyze money flows in white-collar crime cases and financial disputes. Founded in 2017, Valid8 recently raised $1.25 million in debt financing and serves clients like law and CPA firms as well as six states for fraud investigations.
Startups Shift to Venture Debt Amid Slowing Venture Capital, Raising $29B+ in 2022
As venture capital funding slows, startups increasingly consider venture debt and loans to extend cash runways without diluting ownership, despite the risks of repayment and financial scrutiny. In 2022, tech companies raised over $29 billion in venture debt across more than 2,100 deals, highlighting a significant shift toward alternative financing.
Ex-Apple Engineers Launch Seattle's XetHub with $7.5M Seed to Accelerate AI Application Development
Seattle-based startup XetHub, founded by three former Apple engineers, raised $7.5 million in seed funding to develop a data storage platform for AI and machine learning application developers. The company aims to streamline code writing and deployment for intelligent applications, targeting businesses adopting AI beyond major tech players.
Samsung Ventures Leads $13 Million Investment in Lumotive to Expand Production of 3D Sensor Chips for Autonomous Vehicles
Seattle-based startup Lumotive secured $13 million in funding led by Samsung Ventures to expand production of its Light Control Metasurface chips used in 3D sensors for autonomous vehicles and robots. The investment increases Lumotive's total funding to over $56 million and supports both current chip deployment and future product development.
KKR-Backed Alchemer Acquires Seattle Startup Apptentive to Expand Mobile Feedback Tools
Alchemer, backed by private equity firm KKR, acquired Seattle-based Apptentive to integrate mobile customer feedback capabilities into its survey platform. Apptentive CEO Robi Ganguly will join Alchemer's executive team while most Apptentive employees transition to Alchemer.
SirionLabs Raises $25M More in Series D, Totaling $110M to Enhance AI-Powered Contract Management
SirionLabs, a Seattle-based contract lifecycle management startup, raised an additional $25 million in its Series D round, totaling $110 million. The company uses AI and natural language processing to manage contracts and plans to invest in product innovation and enterprise integrations.
Pacific Northwest Startup Funding Drops 35% in 2022, TerraPower Leads Top Rounds with $750M Investment
Venture capital investment in Pacific Northwest startups dropped 35% in 2022, with funding decreasing over 50% in the year's second half amid economic cooling and rising interest rates. Despite this slowdown, some startups like Bellevue-based TerraPower secured significant funding, with its $750 million round leading the top 10 deals that accounted for 44% of total investment in the region.
Former Starbucks Exec Adam Brotman and Investor Andy Sack Raise $10M for Forum3 to Expand NFT Loyalty Tech
Seattle tech veterans Adam Brotman and Andy Sack raised $10 million to launch Forum3, a startup offering NFT-based customer engagement tech designed to simplify blockchain use for consumer brands. Forum3 aims to provide a white-labeled version of Starbucks' NFT loyalty program, Odyssey, removing cryptocurrency barriers for users.
Seattle’s Banzai to Go Public via SPAC with 7GC Holdings and Acquire Hyros for $110 Million
Seattle marketing software startup Banzai announced it will go public via a SPAC merger with 7GC Holdings and pay $110 million to acquire marketing optimization company Hyros after the deal closes. Founded in 2016, Banzai has pivoted to provide an end-to-end video engagement marketing platform and now employs 94 people.
Rad Power Bikes Conducts Third Layoff in 2023 Amid Economic Downturn and Operational Challenges
Rad Power Bikes is conducting its third round of layoffs in 2023 to reduce costs amid an economic downturn, having previously cut 163 jobs this year from its nearly 500 employees. The Seattle-based company has faced multiple challenges including lawsuits and product recalls, while also recently launching a new three-wheeled electric bike.
Seattle Health Benefits Startup Pebble Launches with $17.3M Funding Including $12M Seed Round to Serve Small Businesses
Seattle-based startup Pebble, which uses AI to create health benefits plans for small businesses, has publicly launched and secured $17.3 million in total funding, including a $12 million second seed round. The company aims to provide startups and small businesses access to comprehensive health benefits similar to those of large firms, helping them attract and retain talent.
Seattle Startup Keyplay Raises $3M Led by MHS Capital to Launch Sales Lead Aggregation Platform
Seattle startup Keyplay, co-founded by Adam Schoenfeld, raised $3 million led by MHS Capital to launch a subscription platform that aggregates and scores sales leads. The platform integrates multiple data sources to help sales teams identify potential accounts and currently serves eight customers with plans to expand offerings by mid-2023.
Singapore's Aizen Acquires Seattle AI Startup Kurvv to Enhance Equipment Failure Prediction Capabilities
Seattle-based AI startup Kurvv, known for its equipment failure prediction tools, is being acquired by Singapore-based fintech AI firm Aizen. The acquisition will integrate Kurvv's technology into Aizen’s offerings, though Kurvv’s branding and most employees will not continue post-acquisition.
FTX Collapse Sparks Industry Turmoil as Seattle Crypto Startups Secure $30M Funding Amid Market Downturn
The collapse of FTX caused significant disruption in the crypto industry, impacting companies like BlockFi and Genesis, and leading to a decline in venture capital investments in crypto startups. Despite these challenges, Seattle-area crypto startups have secured about $30 million in funding this year, with optimism persisting among local crypto leaders.
Seattle Startup JetMeds Develops Smart Collar That Automatically Applies Topical Pet Medicine, Launching in 2024
JetMeds, a Seattle-based startup founded in 2023, is developing a smart collar that automatically applies micro-doses of topical medicine to pets, improving treatment consistency and efficacy. Their 5-month study demonstrated complete flea protection using only 25% of the typical monthly dose, with the product planned for launch in 2024.
iSpot.tv Leads $16M Investment in TVision, Secures Exclusive Tech Rights and Board Seat
Seattle-based ad-tech firm iSpot.tv is leading a $16 million investment in New York-based TV ad measurement company TVision, gaining exclusive licensing rights to TVision's technology and a board seat for iSpot's CEO. This move supports iSpot's strategy to compete with Nielsen by expanding its measurement capabilities amid recent acquisitions and a $325 million funding round that valued iSpot over $1 billion.
Seattle Startup MotherDuck Launches Serverless Analytics Platform With $47.5M Funding Led by Andreessen Horowitz
Seattle-based startup MotherDuck, founded by Jordan Tigani, unveiled its serverless data analytics platform built on DuckDB and announced $47.5 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company aims to enable analysts to query data across multiple sources and plans a public beta release in March 2023.
Seattle AI Startup Spiral Raises $1.25M to Expand Customer Feedback Analysis Software and Team
Seattle startup Spiral raised $1.25 million to enhance its AI software that analyzes customer feedback, planning to expand its team to 12 by early 2023. Spiral targets medium-to-large companies in sectors like banking and fintech, currently serving over 12 clients amid increased demand.
Seattle Healthcare Analytics Startup Abett Raises $6.5M to Boost Employer Benefits Data Software
Seattle healthcare analytics startup Abett, founded by former Amazon employee Mike Hanlon, raised $6.5 million to enhance its software that helps large employers analyze spending on employee health benefits using legally accessible data.
Jane Park Launches Tokki Sustainable Gift-Wrap Startup, Raises Funds via StartEngine Equity Crowdfunding
Veteran entrepreneur Jane Park has chosen equity crowdfunding on StartEngine to raise capital for her sustainable gift-wrap startup Tokki, highlighting its lower barriers and broader investor participation compared to traditional venture capital. Park, who previously raised over $50 million for Julep Beauty from major investors, values crowdfunding for connecting with end users and offering an alternative fundraising method.
LeadScorz Secures $5.6M Series A to Expand AI Sales Lead Analysis Platform
LeadScorz, a Seattle-based AI startup analyzing digital sales leads, raised $5.6 million in a Series A funding round to expand and hire more staff. Founded by Pat Murphy in 2018, the company targets large marketers and integrates with major CRM systems to improve lead scoring amid evolving customer preferences.
Organizations
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Ascend Principal 2026–present, Senior Associate / Head of Research 2025–present, Associate 2024–2025 · current
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GeekWire Photographer · current
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GeekWire Reporter 2022–2023 · past
Education
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University of Hawai‘i - Shidler College of Business Bachelor's degree, Finance · 2020–2022
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University of Hawaii Bachelor of Arts - BA, Journalism · 2019–2022
