T.A. McCann
T.A. McCann is the founder and CEO at Lev and Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs, also serving as a board member at GSSN powered by Morrow and hosting a podcast for the Microsoft Alumni Network. He previously founded Gist.com, Rival IQ, and Senosis, all of which were acquired, and is recognized for his expertise as an entrepreneur, investor, athlete, and coach.
Lev names startup veteran Jay Bartot as CTO to build its ‘AI co-founder’ and productize PSL playbook
Lev, a Pioneer Square Labs spinout building an 'AI co-founder' for entrepreneurs, named veteran startup builder Jay Bartot as CTO to help productize the venture-studio playbook and launched Lev Learn, a free guide to startup terminology.
Jacob Colker announces Seattle startup gathering at Showbox Market thanking J.P. Morgan, Google, Fenwick & West and Pilot.com
Jacob Colker thanks sponsors, Seattle founders, and the AI House team after a gathering at the historic Showbox Market, expressing enthusiasm for the local startup community.
T.A. McCann Becomes CEO of Lev, AI-Powered Startup Spun Out From Pioneer Square Labs with $1M Investment
T.A. McCann, after eight years as managing director at Pioneer Square Labs, is now CEO of Lev, an AI-powered co-founder platform designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs by automating guidance and validation. Lev, spun out from PSL and backed with over $1 million in investment, aims to scale founder support using AI tools for ideation, validation, and company formation.
Seattle Startup Casera Launches AI Tool to Streamline Hospital Case Management and Reduce Patient Stay Delays
Seattle-based healthcare startup Casera is developing AI software that assists hospital case managers by automating coordination tasks to reduce patient stay delays and operational costs. Spun out from Pioneer Square Labs, Casera integrates with existing communication tools to ensure timely follow-ups and task completion, aiming to improve hospital patient flow.
Pioneer Square Labs Debuts Lev, an AI Co-Founder to Evaluate and Develop Startup Ideas
Seattle’s Pioneer Square Labs launched Lev, an AI co-founder tool that helps early-stage entrepreneurs evaluate and develop startup ideas by mapping PSL’s company-building process into software. Lev offers structured workflows, asset generation, and plans to add team-building and fundraising features.
T.A. McCann of Pioneer Square Labs Explains AI Agents' Impact on Startup Strategies and Company Creation
Investor T.A. McCann of Pioneer Square Labs discusses how AI agents are transforming startups by automating complex functions, shifting focus from product to distribution and data, and enabling one-person billion-dollar companies. The podcast also explores AI-powered tools and the future of AI agent interactions impacting business operations.
Julie Sandler to Shift from Managing Director to Venture Partner at Pioneer Square Labs in Late 2024
Julie Sandler, managing director at Pioneer Square Labs since 2017, will transition to a venture partner role in late 2024 while continuing to engage with the firm and its portfolio. She will also chair the Washington Roundtable next year, reflecting her ongoing influence in the Pacific Northwest tech and business communities.
Vivek Ladsariya Joins Pioneer Square Labs as Managing Director, Moves from Bay Area to Seattle
Vivek Ladsariya, a veteran Bay Area investor with experience in enterprise technology startups, has moved to Seattle to become managing director at Pioneer Square Labs, playing a key role in their Ventures arm and Studio. He aims to focus on technically driven enterprise software infrastructure startups, especially those delivering real automation, enhancing Seattle's venture capital ecosystem.
Pioneer Square Labs' T.A. McCann Highlights AI's Crucial Role in Startup Success on Shift AI Podcast
T.A. McCann, managing director of Pioneer Square Labs, discusses on the Shift AI Podcast the critical importance of AI in startup pitches and shares insights from his background in sailing and entrepreneurship on building AI-first products. He emphasizes storytelling skills and embracing new technologies as key to success in venture-backed startups.
Vulcan Capital renamed Cercano Management and spun off as independent firm managing Allen-era assets
Vulcan Capital, the investment arm created to manage late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s holdings, has been spun off and renamed Cercano Management, a privately held firm working with multiple investors and family foundations. Cercano, based in Bellevue, will remain connected to Allen’s estate, continues Vulcan’s low-profile approach, and was recently disclosed as an investor in a $5.9 million round for Seattle startup Pendulum.
Pioneer Square Labs raises $100M Fund II to back 30+ Pacific Northwest startups with $1–3M initial checks
Seattle-based Pioneer Square Labs raised $100 million for its second venture fund, exceeding its $80 million target due to strong institutional demand, and will invest across more than 30 early-stage Pacific Northwest companies with initial checks of $1–3 million. The firm operates a startup studio (raised $29 million) and a venture fund model that splits capital roughly half to studio spinouts and half to external startups.
Pioneer Square Labs spins out 25 startups in five years; six launched during pandemic surge
Seattle startup studio Pioneer Square Labs (PSL) spun out 25 startups in five years — six during a six-month pandemic stretch — by rapidly testing ideas, though it has yet to produce a breakout unicorn and faces criticism over founder dilution.
Nine ex-Microsoft founders say Satya Nadella’s cultural shift helped turn Microsoft alumni into more successful startup builders
Former Microsoft employees once struggled to raise startup funding and adapt to startup life because of the company’s pace, bureaucracy and internal politics, but Satya Nadella’s post-2014 cultural changes have shifted perceptions. Today Microsoft veterans are increasingly prominent in Seattle startups, with their experience building platforms and brand recognition seen as both an advantage and a potential blind spot for new founders.
Organizations
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Lev Founder and CEO 2026–present · current
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Microsoft Alumni Network Podcast host - Beyond the Blue Badge - founder stories from Microsoft Alumni 2020–present · current
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GSSN powered by Morrow Board Member 2019–present · current
Education
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Purdue University BS, Mechanical Engineering · 1984–1989
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Elston High School 1980–1984
