Taylor Soper
Taylor Soper is Director of Community and Programming at AI House and serves as a board member at the University of Washington, Board of Student Publications. He previously held editorial and reporting roles at GeekWire and Major League Baseball, with expertise in technology startups, programming, and community building.
Coinme Sues Coinstar for Misappropriating Trade Secrets to Launch Competing Crypto Platform CINQ
Coinme filed a lawsuit against Coinstar accusing it of misusing trade secrets and confidential information to develop and launch a competing crypto-buying platform called CINQ at Coinstar kiosks. This dispute has led to a significant drop in Coinme’s transaction volumes as Coinstar allegedly promotes CINQ preferentially, causing customer confusion and loss of business for Coinme.
OpenAI Opens Bellevue Office Near Microsoft HQ Following $6.5 Billion Funding Round
OpenAI has opened a new office in Bellevue, Washington, near Microsoft’s headquarters, to leverage local engineering talent and strengthen their partnership. This move follows OpenAI's $6.5 billion funding round and expansion of offices globally including New York, Paris, and Singapore.
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.
Pioneer Square Labs' Greg Gottesman Forecasts Generative AI Will Transform Venture Capital Operations by 2033
Greg Gottesman of Pioneer Square Labs predicts venture capital will fundamentally change in the next 5-10 years, increasingly leveraging generative AI to provide startups with more than just funding, including operational and coding support. Sheila Gulati of Tola Capital adds that early-stage investing is becoming more democratized, with a broader investor pool amid the recent AI-driven revival in venture capital.
Former SeaChange Investors Launch VentureUs Angel Group to Back Early-Stage Pacific Northwest Startups
A group of former SeaChange investors in Seattle have launched VentureUs, an angel investing group focusing on pre-seed and seed startups in the Pacific Northwest. VentureUs streamlines decision-making through an investment board and plans to invest $100,000 to $400,000 in 6-10 startups annually.
Thinkie Launches $250 Brain-Training Wearable Headband with fNIRS Tech and $15/Month App Subscription
Seattle startup Thinkie launched a $250 wearable headband using fNIRS technology to train and monitor brain activity via games, supported by a $15/month app subscription. Initially targeting seniors, they are now expanding to consumers and joined AARP’s AgeTech accelerator.
Seattle Deepfake Detection Startup Loti Raises $6.65M Seed Round with Khosla Ventures and Others
Seattle-based startup Loti, founded in 2022, raised a total of $6.65 million in its seed round led by FUSE and Bling Capital, including new investment from Khosla Ventures. Loti leverages facial and voice recognition to detect and take down deepfakes and fake social media accounts misusing public figures' likenesses.
Voyager Capital’s James Newell Calls for More Risk-Taking Angel Investors in Seattle Startup Ecosystem
James Newell of Voyager Capital highlights Seattle's need for more angel investors willing to make riskier startup bets and write 'low-conviction' checks, a practice common in Silicon Valley but less so in Seattle's culture. He notes the lack of experienced angel investors and the region's understated approach to investing as barriers to a more vibrant startup ecosystem.
Aviel Ginzburg and Team Launch Foundations to Foster Seattle’s Startup Community with In-Person Support Network
Foundations, a new startup community group led by Aviel Ginzburg and others in Seattle, aims to create a supportive 'serendipity factory' for early-stage founders by fostering in-person connections among entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors. The group hosted a launch party in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood to build a vibrant local tech startup ecosystem.
Nvidia Acquires Seattle AI Startup OctoAI for Over $250 Million, Ending Its Service Offering by October 31
Nvidia has acquired Seattle-based AI startup OctoAI, which helps run generative AI models efficiently, for a price potentially exceeding $250 million including retention incentives. OctoAI is winding down its services by October 31, marking Nvidia's continued expansion in AI amid rising regulatory scrutiny.
LinkedIn's Top 50 Startups List Includes Seattle's Chainguard, Truveta, and Statsig
LinkedIn's annual Top 50 startups list includes three Seattle-area companies—Chainguard (No. 39), Truveta (No. 42), and Statsig (No. 47)—recognized for strong employee growth and talent attraction. All three are also highly ranked on GeekWire 200, highlighting their prominence in the Pacific Northwest startup scene.
Seattle Freeze and Pessimistic Culture Challenge City’s Startup Growth, Say Local Entrepreneurs
Seattle's startup scene struggles with a culture known as the 'Seattle Freeze' and a 'celebration of pessimism,' creating challenges like passive-aggressiveness and discouragement among entrepreneurs. Industry leaders at a Washington Technology Industry Association event noted that this social dynamic hinders networking, investment, and the enthusiasm needed for startup growth.
Seattle Startup Outgo Raises $15M and Secures $50M Credit Facility to Speed Cash Access for Trucking Carriers
Outgo, a Seattle-based startup providing banking services to trucking carriers, raised $15 million in a previously undisclosed funding round alongside a $50 million credit facility. The company offers finance software helping carriers access cash within hours and manages invoice processing with lower fees than traditional factoring companies.
Seattle Startup SoundGTM Launches B2B Referral Marketplace to Scale Sales with $325K Funding
Seattle startup SoundGTM, founded by Jenn Steele and Kevin Boehm, launched a referral marketplace platform to help B2B companies boost sales by connecting them with go-to-market professionals on a pay-for-success model. The company, backed by $325,000 in funding and a small team, operates with an annual subscription and commissions paid upon milestone achievements.
Sportsbox AI’s Motion Capture Tech Helps Bryson DeChambeau Win 2023 U.S. Open, Aims to Reach Everyday Golfers
Sportsbox AI, a Bellevue-based startup founded in 2020, developed motion capture technology that helped golf pro Bryson DeChambeau analyze and improve his swing, contributing to his 2023 U.S. Open victory. The app is now being marketed beyond coaches to everyday golfers seeking detailed swing analysis through smartphone video.
OfferUp Partners with Thumbtack to Launch Home Services Marketplace Connecting Consumers with Local Businesses
OfferUp is expanding its marketplace to include home services by partnering with Thumbtack, connecting users with local repair and maintenance businesses. The company aims to offer a one-stop-shop for local needs and plans to introduce direct posts on its platform early next year.
Seattle Startup Edera Raises $5M Seed to Innovate Kubernetes and AI Container Security
Seattle-based startup Edera, founded in April 2024, raised $5 million in seed funding led by 645 Ventures and Eniac Ventures to develop container security solutions for Kubernetes and AI workloads using a novel virtualization approach. The female-founded company offers Protect Kubernetes and Protect AI products that isolate workloads for enhanced security without requiring special infrastructure.
Athira Pharma Lays Off 70% of Workforce, Cuts $13.4M Annually Amid Failed Alzheimer’s Trial and Restructuring
Seattle-based biotech Athira Pharma is laying off 49 employees, about 70% of its workforce, as part of restructuring and cost-cutting after unsuccessful Phase 2/3 trial results. The company aims to focus on its ALS treatment ATH-1105 and expects to save $13.4 million annually, with leadership changes effective October 1.
Seattle Startup Arzeda Raises $38M to Advance Protein Design for Industrial and Agricultural Applications
Seattle-based protein design startup Arzeda raised $38 million in its latest funding round, bringing total investments to $86 million to develop enzymes for industrial and agricultural uses. The company works with major partners like Unilever, BP, and Gore-Tex makers, and was the first spinout from the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design.
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.
Ascend Launches Seattle-Focused Co-Founder Matching Program at Annual Founders Bash
Ascend, an early stage venture firm, launched a Seattle-focused co-founder matching program at its annual Founders Bash, emphasizing the importance of selecting co-founders with complementary skills and past working experience. Entrepreneurs highlight trust and proven partnerships as key factors for startup success.
Seattle Startup Amperity Cuts 13% of Workforce Amid Industry Challenges Under Interim CEO Chris Jones
Seattle startup Amperity is laying off 13% of its workforce amid challenging economic conditions impacting the enterprise software industry, following previous layoffs in recent years. The company aims to prioritize its go-to-market strategy and operational efficiency under interim CEO Chris Jones.
Center Startup Lays Off 8 Employees Amid Reorganization After $30 Million Funding
Bellevue-based corporate expense software startup Center laid off 8 employees, about 4% of its 164-person workforce, as part of a business reorganization. The company, which raised $30 million in December and serves over 1,500 customers, described the cuts as aligning its team with business priorities.
Seattle Biotech Startup ZipBio Raises $4M Seed Round to Develop AI-Designed Compressed Proteins for Therapeutics
Seattle biotech startup ZipBio launched with $4 million in seed funding led by NFX to develop AI-driven compressed proteins for therapeutics. Founded by Roee Farber and others, ZipBio operates in Seattle and Tel Aviv.
Seattle’s Revefi Raises $20M Series A Led by Icon Ventures to Launch AI Data Engineer Product Raden
Seattle startup Revefi raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Icon Ventures to develop its new AI-powered product, Raden, which optimizes data warehouse usage. The company has seen 800% revenue growth and plans to expand its AI data engineering platform.
Organizations
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AI House Director of Community and Programming 2026–present · current
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University of Washington, Board of Student Publications Board Member 2016–present · current
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AI House Director of Community and Programming · current
Education
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University of Washington Executive Development Program, Business Administration and Management, General · 2021–2022
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University of Washington Bachelor, Business, Journalism · 2008–2012
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Foster School of Business B.A., Business Administration · 2008–2012
