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.
Debate on 'Founder Mode' Leadership Highlights Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Microsoft's Satya Nadella Approaches
The article discusses the debate on 'Founder Mode' leadership sparked by Brian Chesky and Paul Graham, contrasting hands-on founder involvement with traditional management approaches. Examples from Jeff Bezos and Satya Nadella illustrate different leadership styles at Amazon and Microsoft, highlighting no one-size-fits-all model.
F5's Kara Sprague Named CEO of HackerOne, Replacing Marten Mickos on November 4
Kara Sprague, formerly chief product officer at F5, was named CEO of cybersecurity company HackerOne, replacing Marten Mickos on November 4. F5 announced new C-suite appointments and is conducting an external search to replace Sprague.
West Point Grads Rob Hammond and Eddie Kang Launch Gray Line Partners Investing $11.5M in AI-Driven SaaS Growth
Gray Line Partners, a new Seattle-based early growth equity firm led by West Point graduates Rob Hammond and Eddie Kang, invests in SaaS companies with $2-$10 million ARR that prioritize efficiency and sustainable growth. Leveraging AI technologies, Gray Line aims to boost profitability and reduce reliance on heavy venture capital, recently leading an $11.5 million round for AI-driven security company Actuate.
Supio, Founded by Ex-Microsoft Engineers, Raises $25M Series A for AI Legal Tech Platform Optimizing Data Analysis in Plaintiff Cases
Seattle-based legal tech startup Supio, founded by ex-Microsoft engineers Kyle Lam and Jerry Zhou, raised $25 million in Series A funding to enhance its AI-powered platform that helps lawyers efficiently analyze case data, particularly in personal injury and mass tort plaintiff law. The company, with 27 employees and plans to double its workforce, charges subscription fees based on case volume and boasts successful use in complex cases such as a TorHoerman Law victory against Abbott Labs.
Seattle Tech Vet Peter Horadan Named CEO of Vouched to Lead AI-Driven Identity Verification Amid Rising Deepfake Concerns
Peter Horadan, an experienced Seattle tech executive formerly with Avalara and Lockstep, has become CEO of identity verification startup Vouched. He aims to leverage AI to address rising challenges in online identity verification amidst deepfakes, while co-founder John Baird transitions to chief strategy officer.
Otto Startup, Led by Expedia Veteran and Madrona Chairman, Raises $6M to Develop AI Assistant for Business Travel Booking
Seattle-based startup Otto, led by Expedia veteran Michael Gulmann and chaired by Steve Singh of Madrona Ventures, is developing an AI virtual assistant using GPT-4 to simplify business travel booking. The company raised $6 million in a seed round led by Madrona and aims to offer its product for free while earning revenue through booking facilitation.
Pack Ventures Seeks $30M for Second Fund to Invest in University of Washington-Linked Startups
Pack Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on University of Washington-linked startups, raised $5 million for its first fund and is now aiming to raise $30 million for a second fund to expand its investments. The firm has established a preferred partnership with UW and co-invests with other Seattle VCs in companies across life sciences, software, and healthcare sectors.
GeekWire 200 Updates Top Pacific Northwest Tech Startups Featuring Chainguard's $140M Raise and $1.1B Valuation
The GeekWire 200 ranking updates the top privately held tech startups in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, highlighting companies like Chainguard that raised $140 million and reached a $1.1 billion valuation. The list spans various industries and regions including Oregon and British Columbia, emphasizing the area's strong B2B enterprise software and consumer tech sectors.
Devin Lammers Named CEO of TerraClear to Drive Growth After $15M Series A for Rock-Clearing AI Technology
Devin Lammers was appointed CEO of TerraClear, a rock-mapping and picking startup, to lead its market expansion following a $15 million Series A funding round. TerraClear develops AI-driven technology to help farmers remove large rocks from fields, addressing a common agricultural challenge.
ITpipes Raises $20M from Trilogy Search Partners and Miramar Equity to Enhance Sewer and Storm System Management
ITpipes, a software company helping municipalities manage underground sewer and storm system inspections, raised $20 million from Trilogy Search Partners and Miramar Equity Partners. The company, used by over 300 municipalities, aims to improve maintenance of aging water infrastructure with its pipeline inspection software.
Submittable Acquires WizeHive, Lays Off 40 Employees Amid Integration
Submittable acquired WizeHive to expand its social impact software offerings, integrating their services but laying off 40 employees in the process. Submittable, which raised $47 million in 2022 and is led by CEO Thor Culverhouse, now has 302 employees following the acquisition.
Seattle Startup HouseAmp Raises $12.4M to Expand Home Improvement Financing Platform
Seattle-based startup HouseAmp raised $12.4 million to expand its fintech platform that helps homeowners secure funding for home improvements before selling. The company, founded in 2020 and led by CEO Rick Hennessey, plans growth following successful trials with lenders.
Microsoft, Amazon, AI, the economy, and another bad tech ad
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we take a closer look at the earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon this week, as a litmus test for artificial intelligence demand and the state of the economy. We also consider the implications of Boeing's new CEO being based in the Seattle region, discuss a new AI tool that aims to streamline marketing tasks, and weigh in on the backlash to Google's Olympics ad for its Gemini AI chatbot Microsoft capital spending soars to $19B, betting big on AI, as Azure growth underwhelms Wall Street Amazon sales come up short, profits nearly double…
Seattle's AI2 Incubator to Open 'AI House' Downtown with $800K State Support to Boost AI Startup Ecosystem
Seattle's AI2 Incubator is launching the 'AI House,' a new downtown hub for AI startups and entrepreneurs, supported by $800,000 in state funding and city leadership. The space aims to foster AI collaboration and help revitalize Seattle's downtown economy.
Startup 425 Launches Free 15-Week Accelerator for First-Time Entrepreneurs Across Six Seattle-Area Cities
Startup 425, supported by six Seattle-area cities, launched a free 15-week accelerator program for first-time entrepreneurs, including non-venture-scale small business owners. The program emphasizes supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities and requires participants to be based in one of the six cities.
Pioneer Square Labs Assembles Expert Technical Advisory Board Featuring Seattle Tech Leaders to Support Early-Stage Startups
Pioneer Square Labs has formed a new Technical Advisory Board comprising leading technology researchers, executives, and startup veterans to support its early-stage startups, with a focus on AI and technology innovation. The board includes prominent figures from the University of Washington, Microsoft, Google, and other notable tech companies.
Seattle Startup Gable Raises New Funding to Enhance Developer and Data Team Collaboration Amid AI Boom
Seattle startup Gable, which helps developers and data analysts collaborate by providing real-time data change visibility, is raising a new funding round to support growth amid increasing demand driven by AI and data quality needs. Founded last year, Gable has 19 employees, paying customers, and previously raised a $7 million seed round led by Zetta Venture Partners, Crane Venture Capital, and Essence Venture Capital.
Protect AI Acquires Bangalore-Based SydeLabs to Enhance Generative AI Security Capabilities
Seattle cybersecurity startup Protect AI acquired Bangalore-based SydeLabs, a startup specializing in securing generative AI systems, adding nine employees to its team. This acquisition follows Protect AI's recent $35 million funding round and earlier acquisition of Laiyer AI, enhancing its capabilities in monitoring machine learning systems.
Seattle Startup Forum3 Launches Spok, an AI Marketing Assistant Powered by GPT-4 for SMBs
Seattle startup Forum3, founded by former Starbucks exec Adam Brotman and investor Andy Sack, launched Spok, an AI marketing assistant designed to streamline competitive analysis and content creation for small and medium-sized businesses using GPT-4 and custom marketing data.
Former Techstars Seattle Leader Marius Ciocirlan and Ridwell Co-founder Raise $4M for AI Startup MarkOS to Manage Brand Compliance
Seattle-based AI startup MarkOS, led by former Techstars Seattle director Marius Ciocirlan and co-founders including Ridwell's David Dawson, raised $4 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI software that audits and helps create brand assets for large enterprises. Investors include Ludlow Ventures, Bessemer, and several Seattle firms, with MarkOS focusing on ensuring brand compliance amid rising generative AI content.
Seattle’s Terrantic Raises $3.5M Seed Round to Optimize Food Growers’ Yield and Quality Using AI
Seattle-based agtech startup Terrantic raised $3.5 million in seed funding to develop AI-driven software that helps food growers and processors optimize product quality and yield. Initially focused on apples, Terrantic's platform centralizes data to improve storage and reduce waste, with plans to expand to other crops like cotton.
Seattle Tech Week Returns July 29 with Focus on AI Innovation and Healthcare, Backed by Madrona Ventures
Seattle Tech Week returns starting July 29, featuring panel discussions and networking events centered on AI innovations and healthcare advancements in the Seattle tech ecosystem, coordinated by Madrona Ventures and other sponsors. The event highlights Seattle’s strong presence in AI and biotech sectors with sessions led by local tech giants, researchers, and startups.
Chainguard Raises $140M Series C, Achieves $1.12B Valuation Becoming Seattle's Newest Cybersecurity Unicorn
Seattle-based cybersecurity startup Chainguard raised $140 million in a Series C round, reaching a $1.12 billion valuation and becoming a unicorn. Founded in 2021, the company focuses on securing software supply chains for major clients and has rapidly grown its customer base and revenue.
Seattle-Based Oisín Biotechnologies Raises $15M Series A First Close Led by AbbVie Ventures to Develop Age-Related Disease Therapies
Seattle startup Oisín Biotechnologies raised the first close of a $15 million Series A round led by AbbVie Ventures to develop therapies targeting age-related diseases by eliminating fat cells and building muscle mass. Founded in 2016 by CEO Matthew Scholz and others, Oisín spun out OncoSenX in 2018, which focuses on solid tumor treatments.
Kestra Medical Technologies Raises $196M to Expand Commercialization of FDA-Approved Wearable Defibrillator
Kestra Medical Technologies raised $196 million to accelerate commercialization of its FDA-approved Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator, designed to meet female cardiac patients' needs. The funding round was co-led by Andera Partners, Ally Bridge Group, Longitude Capital, and Omega Funds, increasing total funding to $496 million.
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
