Nick Hanauer
Nick Hanauer is Founder and CEO at Civic Ventures, President and Co-Founder at League of Education Voters, and Partner at Second Avenue Partners. He founded Civic Ventures, League of Education Voters, Gear.com, and aQuantive, with aQuantive having been acquired. His expertise includes entrepreneurship, venture capital, authorship, civic activism, and philanthropy.
GeekWire Week in Review: Bill Gates Pledges $200B, Statsig Hits $1.1B Valuation, Seattle Startups Raise Millions in May 2025
This GeekWire Week in Review highlights top tech stories including Bill Gates' $200 billion philanthropy pledge, Seattle startups raising significant capital, and the emergence of new AI-driven unicorn Statsig valued at $1.1 billion. It also covers local news like a controversial Washington EV tax and cultural moments involving Seattle figures.
Washington Senate Passes SB 5096 25-24 as Tech Industry and Progressives Clash Over Proposed Capital-Gains Tax
Washington state's tech community is sharply divided over SB 5096, a proposed capital-gains tax targeting large gains that startups warn would hurt recruitment and competitiveness; the state Senate passed the bill 25-24 and it now moves to the House. Progressive groups and analysts counter that other tech-leading states tax capital gains and say the WTIA's claims are false, noting many startups received federal PPP aid.
Tanium CEO Orion Hindawi Says Talk of Washington Tax Hikes Will Drive Businesses Away; Calls Seattle 'Freeze' 'Garbage'
Tanium CEO and co-founder Orion Hindawi, who moved his $9 billion company to Seattle, warned at a Washington tech event that talk of raising Washington state taxes—especially capital gains taxes—will deter businesses from relocating to the state and dismissed Seattle's 'freeze' reputation as 'complete garbage.'
By Nick
Nick Hanauer Critiques Progressive Taxation and Calls for Defining Which Capitalism America Supports
Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer argues that the debate should focus on which form of capitalism America supports, responding to Chris DeVore’s call for Democrats to embrace capitalism. Hanauer critiques current progressive tax policies in Washington state as counterproductive, while emphasizing that capitalism is not a monolith but has many variations.
Organizations
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Civic Ventures Founder and CEO 2014–present · current
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League of Education Voters President & Co-Founder 2001–present · current
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Second Avenue Partners Partner 2000–present · current
Education
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University of Washington BA, Philosophy · 1981
