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.
AI House hosts Demo Day in Seattle with 25 startups pitching to investors flown in from Boston, New York, Colorado and the Bay Area
AI House hosted a demo day in Seattle where 25 early-stage startups—many outside the incubator’s portfolio—pitched to investors flown in from Boston, New York, Colorado, the Bay Area and other cities to increase outside capital for local founders. Organizers aimed to showcase diverse Seattle startups, from revenue-generating companies to ambitious technologists, and attracted both national and local venture investors.
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.
Taylor Soper Named Director of Seattle’s AI House at AI2 Incubator After 13 Years at GeekWire
Taylor Soper is leaving GeekWire after more than 13 years as a reporter and editor to become director of AI House at AI2 Incubator, a key hub for AI founders and researchers in Seattle. His deep connections in the Seattle tech scene and editorial leadership will support his new role in the AI community.
Nectar Social Founders Move AI Startup from Seattle to Palo Alto Citing Bay Area’s Faster Tech Pace
The co-founders of AI startup Nectar Social are relocating their company from Seattle to Palo Alto to embrace the faster, more intense work culture of Silicon Valley, sparking debate about tech work pace and culture. The move highlights contrasting attitudes toward tech in Seattle, with some locals expressing relief and opposition to the high-pressure style favored in the Bay Area.
GeekWire Startup Radar spotlights 2024 Seattle AI startups including AlsonAI and InnoMat with VC assessments from WestRiver’s Anthony Bontrager
GeekWire’s Startup Radar highlights early-stage Seattle companies focused on AI across space robotics, storytelling, and supply chain, featuring VC viewpoints from Anthony Bontrager of WestRiver Group. Spotlights include AlsonAI (generative AI storytelling) and InnoMat (AI-driven material selection), both founded in 2024 and currently bootstrapped.
Chris DeVore Reflects on Techstars Seattle Closure and Future of Local Startup Scene
Chris DeVore, former managing director of Techstars Seattle, reflects on the accelerator's closure and discusses its evolution and impact on Seattle's tech community. He expresses optimism about Seattle's entrepreneurial future despite the end of Techstars Seattle amid organizational shifts in the broader Techstars network.
Techstars Seattle Accelerator Ends After Launching 160+ Startups and 3 Unicorns in Restructuring Move
Techstars Seattle, which launched over 160 startups and created three billion-dollar companies, announced its closure this week as part of a broader restructuring. The accelerator, operational since 2010, partnered with major firms like Microsoft and Amazon but is now shutting down to focus on cities with more venture capital activity.
Seattle Startup Flyhomes Moves from 9,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Office to Smaller Downtown Space Amid Remote Work Shift
Seattle real estate tech startup Flyhomes vacated its 9,000 sq ft waterfront office near Pier 56 on September 1, relocating to a smaller 4,000 sq ft space downtown due to a shift to remote work. The move follows Flyhomes' multiple layoffs amid a slowing market and increasing Seattle office vacancies.
Bite of Seattle Attendees Complain About Seattle Startup CHEQ's Mobile Ordering App Causing Delays and Errors
At the Bite of Seattle food festival, attendees criticized the Seattle startup CHEQ's mandatory mobile ordering app for its glitches, double charges, and longer wait times, despite the company promoting it as a tool for efficiency. While some users found the app convenient, many expressed frustration over user-unfriendliness and limited accessibility.
Silicon Valley Bank Urges Customers to Return Deposits After Collapse, Backed by U.S. Government
Silicon Valley Bank, now backed by the U.S. government, is urging customers to return their deposits after its recent collapse, assuring them of full protections. The newly formed Silicon Valley Bridge Bank is operational, making new loans, honoring credit facilities, and seeing some customers already returning funds.
Seattle Startup Nvirovate Raises $850K to Commercialize Soy-Based Compostable Adhesives Cutting 70% Greenhouse Gases
Seattle startup Nvirovate is commercializing a soy-based, compostable adhesive to replace petroleum-based glues in shipping labels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70%. Founded in May 2021, Nvirovate recently secured $850,000 in angel investments to expand into the $80 billion global tape and label market.
Seattle Startup JetClosing to Shut Down on June 15 After Six Years Digitizing Home Closing Process
JetClosing, a Seattle startup founded in 2016 to digitize the home closing process using technology, is shutting down on June 15, 2022. The company struggled amid a cooling housing market and strong competition despite offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent services.
GeekWire updates Seattle list as Highspot raises $248M at $3.5B; SeekOut and Icertis added to 16 local unicorns
GeekWire updated its list of Seattle-area 'unicorn' startups (privately held companies valued at $1B+) after additions and a valuation change for Icertis, noting recent entrants like SeekOut and Highspot, which raised $248 million at a $3.5 billion valuation. The article highlights that the Seattle cohort includes 16 unicorns, none led by a female or Black CEO, and that many CEOs have Microsoft backgrounds amid a global surge in unicorns and venture funding.
Simon Yu, ex-Bomba Fusion owner, leads crypto startup StormX and lands Portland Trail Blazers sponsorship
Seattle entrepreneur Simon Yu closed his Korean-Mexican food truck Bomba Fusion and pivoted to cofound StormX, a fast-growing crypto startup he launched in 2015; recently StormX secured a sponsorship deal with the Portland Trail Blazers as Yu reflects on his journey from financial hardship to startup success.
Port of Seattle and Washington Maritime Blue Launch Second Cohort of Maritime Accelerator, Moving Into New Maritime Innovation Center
The Port of Seattle and nonprofit Washington Maritime Blue launched a second-year maritime startup accelerator to connect regional maritime heritage with modern innovation, replacing WeWork Labs with Maritime Blue for mentorship and programming. The Port will provide space in a new Maritime Innovation Center at Fishermen’s Terminal, with construction expected to start this year.
U.S. Venture Capital Tops $150B in 2020; Pacific Northwest Raises $4.4B as VC Appetite for Disruption Persists
Despite the pandemic and economic recession, U.S. venture capital investment hit a record above $150 billion in 2020, with the Pacific Northwest raising $4.4 billion (up 15% year-over-year). GeekWire’s John Cook interviews Seattle tech veteran Mike Davidson, who characterizes venture capital as attracted to disruption and offers analysis on why investment climbed.
GeekWire Podcast: Seattle startup CEOs optimistic for 18 months; Amazon launches Amazon Explore; Spencer Rascoff launches Pacaso
GeekWire Podcast reports Seattle startup CEOs are optimistic about the economy for the next 18 months, Amazon launched a virtual tourism service called Amazon Explore, ex-Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff introduced Pacaso for shared second-home ownership, and the GeekWire Summit will be held virtually Oct. 13–29.
GeekWire Podcast: Bill Gates on COVID-19’s permanent work shift; Vicis assets sold for $2.85M; LEGO and Nintendo launch interactive Super Mario set
The GeekWire Podcast covers Bill Gates on how COVID-19 will permanently change work (while preserving in-person schooling), the resurrection of Seattle helmet maker Vicis through a $2.85M asset sale, and a collaboration bringing Super Mario into LEGO physical sets, plus tech and COVID-related business headlines.
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
