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.
ServiceNow to Acquire Seattle Data Observability Startup Era Software, Integrating It Into Lightstep
ServiceNow announced plans to acquire Seattle-based Era Software, a startup specializing in managing observability data, integrating its technology into ServiceNow's Lightstep platform. Era, founded in 2019, raised $15.2 million and has 40-50 employees expected to join ServiceNow; financial terms were not disclosed.
QorusDocs Raises $10M Led by WestRiver Group to Advance Sales Proposal Software
Bellevue-based startup QorusDocs raised $10 million in a funding round led by WestRiver Group to enhance its software for creating and managing sales proposals, which integrates with Salesforce and Microsoft. The company, founded in 2012 with 70 employees, has raised a total of $18 million and serves clients including Teladoc Health, Hitachi, CDW, and major global law firms.
Portland Trail Blazers End StormX Jersey Sponsorship After One Season, Seek New Partner
The Portland Trail Blazers are ending their jersey sponsorship with Seattle-based crypto startup StormX, a deal that started in the 2021-22 season and was intended to last five years. The team announced on September 30, 2022, that they are seeking a new jersey partner amid the broader market challenges facing crypto companies.
RealPage Acquires Seattle Apartment Property Management Startup Knock Founded in 2014
RealPage, a real estate technology company backed by Thoma Bravo, is acquiring Seattle-based startup Knock, which provides software for apartment property managers. Knock, founded in 2014 and serving over two million units, will retain its brand post-acquisition, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Amazon Web Services Licenses Batfish Network Testing Tool from Seattle Startup Intentionet, Retaining Open Source Status
Amazon Web Services signed a licensing deal with Seattle startup Intentionet, creators of the Batfish open source network testing tool, which AWS will now manage. Intentionet’s enterprise product predicts network change impacts to prevent outages, and fewer than 12 employees will join Amazon without it being an acquisition.
Seattle Startup Artly Raises $8.3M to Expand AI-Powered Robotic Coffee Baristas Led by Ex-AWS Engineer Meng Wang
Artly, a Seattle-based startup led by ex-AWS engineer Meng Wang, raised $8.3 million to expand its AI-powered robotic coffee baristas. The company, which operates five profitable stores and partners with MUJI, aims to scale specialty coffee service with robotics while creating elevated STEM and barista jobs.
Portland Travel Startup TrovaTrip Raises $15M Series A Led by Madrona After 10X Booking Growth
TrovaTrip, a Portland-based group travel marketplace founded by Nick Poggi and Lauren Schneider, raised $15 million in a Series A led by Madrona Venture Group after reporting 10X booking growth last year. The platform, which partners with social media travel hosts and tour operators, has over 15,000 travelers booked across 500 itineraries in 49 countries.
Seattle Blockchain VC Bloccelerate Raises $20M for Second Fund Amid Crypto Market Slowdown
Seattle-based blockchain VC firm Bloccelerate is raising a second fund and has secured $20 million so far, building on its original $12 million fund from 2020. Despite a slowdown in blockchain and Web3 startup funding during the crypto market downturn, Bloccelerate and other firms like Andreessen Horowitz continue to invest heavily in the space.
Madrona Venture Group Raises $690M Across Two Funds to Support Startups in Seattle and Nationwide
Madrona Venture Group has raised $690 million across two funds, marking its largest ever, to back startups primarily in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide. The firm plans about 40 venture investments with increased capital per company amid a strong U.S. venture market.
ExtraHop Hires Four New Executives After $900M Bain Capital Acquisition; Madrona and USAFacts Also Name Key Leaders
Seattle-based cybersecurity company ExtraHop, recently acquired for $900 million by Bain Capital and Crosspoint Capital, appointed four new executives including CFO Matt Parson and CMO Christine Nurnberger. Other regional tech moves include Madrona Venture Group hiring a new managing director and USAFacts appointing Michelle Broderick as CMO.
Madrona Venture Group Opens Silicon Valley Office to Expand Investments Beyond Pacific Northwest
Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group is expanding beyond the Pacific Northwest by opening its first Silicon Valley office to increase investments outside its home region. Since 2019, the firm has raised over $261 million for an acceleration fund targeting more mature companies across North America, with about 15% of its portfolio now outside the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle E-commerce Startup InsightLeap Acquired by San Diego Software Consultancy Ecliptic Ideas
Seattle-area e-commerce startup InsightLeap, founded in 2018 by Rishi Talwar and Hajime Furukawa, was acquired by Brendan Ronan of software consultancy Ecliptic Ideas. The company, generating six-figure annual revenue, was bootstrapped by its founders, who expressed satisfaction with the undisclosed deal.
Seattle VC Firm Fuse, Led by Three Under-40 Partners, Raised $170M and Seeks $250M for Second Fund
Seattle venture capital firm Fuse, led by three general partners all aged 35 or younger, raised $170 million for its first fund and is currently raising $250 million for its second. The firm focuses on early-stage Pacific Northwest software startups and is notable for both its youthful leadership and sizable funds.
Amperity cuts 13 roles (3% of staff) amid reorganization while planning continued hires and investments
Seattle customer-intelligence startup Amperity laid off 13 employees (about 3% of its 375-person workforce), primarily from its talent acquisition team, while saying it will continue hiring and invest in growth. CEO Barry Padgett attributed the cuts to organizational alignment with strategic growth plans; the company became a unicorn in July 2021 after a $100 million raise and values at $1 billion.
Gravity Payments CEO Dan Price Resigns Amid Assault and Reckless Driving Charges, COO Tammi Kroll Named Successor
Dan Price, former CEO of Gravity Payments known for raising the company's minimum wage to $70,000, resigned amid misdemeanor assault and reckless driving charges. He pleaded not guilty and will be replaced by COO Tammi Kroll.
Ex-Amazon VP Andrew Hamel Joins Booster as CTO Amid Multiple Pacific Northwest Tech Executive Moves
Andrew Hamel, former Amazon VP, joined mobile energy startup Booster as CTO, bringing extensive tech leadership experience. Several other Pacific Northwest tech firms also made key executive hires, including 1Password, Peek, Pie Insurance, Paymentus, and Opendoor.
Seattle Accounting Software Startup Lockstep Acquired by British Enterprise Software Giant The Sage Group
Seattle-based startup Lockstep, which automates B2B accounting processes and has over 300 customers, will be acquired by British enterprise software company The Sage Group. The 130 Lockstep employees will join Sage while retaining the Lockstep brand, though financial terms were not disclosed.
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raises $750M to develop advanced nuclear reactors and medical tech
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, raised $750 million in one of Seattle's largest private funding rounds to develop safer nuclear reactors and medical applications. The company is partnering with GE-Hitachi and funded partly by the U.S. DOE for a 500 MW demonstration reactor planned for Wyoming by 2028.
Deel Acquires Seattle Visa Automation Startup Legalpad to Enhance Global Workforce Solutions
Seattle-based startup Legalpad, which automates visa applications for international employees, has been acquired by San Francisco payroll and compliance company Deel. Deel, valued at $12 billion after a $50 million funding round, aims to combine forces with Legalpad to better solve global workforce immigration challenges.
Rajat Bahri Named CFO of Icertis Amid $5 Billion Valuation; Pacific Northwest Tech Firms Announce Key Executive Hires
Rajat Bahri, former CFO of ID.me, has joined Icertis as CFO, replacing Curt Anderson, amid recent investments valuing Icertis at $5 billion. Additionally, several key tech and startup executives have taken new roles across Pacific Northwest companies including CommerceIQ, Waabi, Limeade, and AdaptX.
Seattle Startup Leaders Rate Economic Impact from -1 to 8 Amidst Shaky Market at Allen Institute AI Event
Seattle tech startups reported varying impacts from economic uncertainty at an Allen Institute AI-hosted event, with some scaling back while others find growth opportunities. Startup leaders rated the economic impact between -1 and 8, reflecting differing industry challenges and company stages.
Spotnana Secures $75M Series B Led by Durable Capital to Build 'AWS for Travel Industry'
New York City startup Spotnana raised $75 million in a Series B funding led by Durable Capital Partners LP to develop an open platform for business travel technology, with investments from Madrona Venture Group and others. The company aims to rebuild travel industry infrastructure and anticipates a strong post-pandemic recovery in business travel.
Glowforge Raises $43M Series E Led by DFJ Growth, Expands Sales to Schools and International Markets
Seattle-based 3D laser printer startup Glowforge raised $43 million in a Series E round led by DFJ Growth, aiming for profitability in 2022 with over $100 million revenue in 2021. CEO Dan Shapiro highlighted expanded sales to schools, international growth, and retail partnerships as key business developments.
Techstars CEO Maelle Gavet Highlights Economic Downturn Challenges and Startup Support Role Amid $2.5B Raised by Accelerated Firms
Maelle Gavet, CEO of Techstars, warns of a significant market reset in the tech industry due to an economic downturn but highlights Techstars’ role in helping startups build resilient businesses and secure funding. Since launching in 2006, Techstars has accelerated nearly 3,000 startups, with its Seattle program producing over 130 companies that have raised $2.5 billion collectively.
Tacoma Venture Fund, led by Dennis Joyce, is investing a $12.3M first fund to back nearly 20 early-stage startups in Tacoma area
Tacoma Venture Fund, founded two years ago, is investing a $12.3 million first fund to back nearly 20 early-stage startups—with a focus on the Tacoma, Washington area south of Seattle—to address a capital shortage in the local startup ecosystem.
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
