PolyDrop turns paint into conductive coatings, wins $10K at UW environmental challenge

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College students are saving the world. Well, maybe not all of them. But the teams that participated in last week’s Environmental Innovation Challenge at the University of Washington are certainly impressive by our standards. Teams from universities and colleges around the Northwest congregated at the UW to pitch their innovations that addressed energy, urban agriculture,… Read More…

From Boeing to Microsoft Bob: Innovation in the spotlight at Seattle’s new history museum

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Seattle’s history is very much tied to innovation, whether it’s Bill Boeing’s early aircraft or Bill Gates’ early software. And those breakthrough technologies — as well as dozens of others — are on full display at Seattle’s new Museum of History and Industry. After years in development and more than $90 million in renovation costs,… Read More…

New Center for Impact and Innovation inks lease at Pioneer Square’s historic Masins furniture building

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For nearly 80 years, the Masin family sold couches, tables and other fine-furniture from its Pioneer Square location. But now — following the closure of the store last fall — a new type of entrepreneurial undertaking is coming to the quirky space at 220 Second Avenue South. The Center for Impact and Innovation — a… Read More…

10 mental traits of truly innovative leaders

Photo via Bigstock

Ever since I was young I’ve always loved thinking of ways to fix things, build products and make money. And, over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many creative and innovative people. I’m talking about people like Whitepages’ Alex Algard, Cheezburger’s Ben Huh and BuddyTV’s Andy Liu. These guys are absolute… Read More…

U.S. Patent chief: New patent reforms are like an ‘intricate Swiss watch’

USPTO director David Kappos speaking at the University of Washington. Photo: Debbie Woo

At the GeekWire Summit on Wednesday, former Swype CEO Mike McSherry received the loudest applause of the day when he strongly suggested that the best way to fix the mobile industry would be to abolish the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Obviously, when you have the entrepreneurs and innovators who are supposed to be benefiting… Read More…

Countdown to GeekWire Summit: Time running out for tickets

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You won’t want to miss this birthday party. GeekWire is turning one on Wednesday, March 7th, and to celebrate the occasion we’re assembling some of the top technologists, entrepreneurs and tech executives for the GeekWire Summit & Anniversary Party. This is the most content-rich event we’ve organized to date, a half-day geek fest and party… Read More…

Google CEO Larry Page pledges to keep innovating (just in fewer buckets)

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Google is doubling down on some of its most important products as it starts the new year, with CEO Larry Page telling investors today during an investor conference call that focus will be key to the search giant’s success moving forward. “There’s so many opportunities for Google today, but to make a real impact in… Read More…

11 things every entrepreneur should know about innovation

(Flickr photo via Chris Samuel)

An innovation that revolutionizes your life is the dream of every entrepreneur. But that dream may die hard if you don’t have the right expectations. What sort of expectations should you have? Well, you can start with these eleven: 1. Innovation demands the right business model Obviously the very first thing you need to do… Read More…

Soak the rich: One entrepreneur’s take on fixing the debt crisis and saving the economy

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Let’s soak the rich. Apparently that’s what most Americans think should happen to reduce the deficit, including Warren Buffett.  A recent CNN poll says that 63 percent of Americans want to raise taxes on the rich. Everyone knows that our federal deficit is unsustainable.  It’s clear to me that one of the biggest bubbles that we’re building is… Read More…