In ‘bittersweet’ decision, Susan Sigl to step down as CEO of the WTIA

Susan Sigl

In a blog post titled “Transitions,” Washington Technology Industry Association CEO Susan Sigl has announced that she plans to step down as head of the organization. “There’s only one place to start with this message: I love Washington’s tech industry,” wrote Sigl. “This is why it’s bittersweet to announce that after three years leading the… Read More…

PCs are not dead and six other tech predictions for 2013

Isilon's Sujal Patel

“Boy, this technology is just really so dull and boring.” Enrique Godreau was joking. As the managing director at GSharp Ventures and a 30-year industry veteran, Godreau knew that this audience would catch the deadpan inflection in his voice. But in case they didn’t, three industry experts spent around an hour last night discussing current technology… Read More…

Videos: Why Seattle’s tech community is so awesome (in the words of Seattleites)

Seattle rainbow

Nearly every week there’s a new survey or study out showcasing how Seattle’s technology community ranks among the top in jobs, wages, venture capital or some other metric. Just today, in fact, the Interactive Advertising Bureau ranked Washington state as having the third most number of employees working in businesses associated with Internet advertising. (Behind New… Read More…

Gubernatorial candidates Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna talk tech (and education)

inslee

Taxes. Health Care. Jobs. Regulatory reforms. Those were some of the topics on the agenda Tuesday morning as Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee spoke at the Washington Technology Industry Association Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, chatting about a wide-range of issues that relate to the state’s burgeoning technology community. But it was another topic that ruled… Read More…

My jinx continues: An unlucky night at the WTIA awards

wtia-iaa1

Well, this confirms it: You’re not going to want to head to Vegas with me (unless you’re ready to lose a lot of money). My unlucky streak picking the winning companies at The Washington Technology Industry Association’s annual Industry Achievement Awards continued tonight, as I accurately picked just two of the six winners. Now, here’s the funny… Read More…

Watch my dog help me make the picks for the WTIA awards

wtia-iaa1

We’ve already made it through Oscar season, and now we’re gearing up for March Madness. But before we get there, I’ve got one piece of business to take care of. The Washington Technology Industry Association is celebrating its 17th annual Industry Achievement Awards on Thursday night at the Showbox Sodo. As in years past, I’ve… Read More…

Appature, Zipline and others nominated for WTIA awards

wtia-iaa1

The Washington Technology Industry Association is gearing up for its big Industry Achievement Awards on March 15th, marking the best-of-the-best in the state’s tech industry. As in year’s past, I’ll be trying my best to pick the winners. (Hopefully, with a little better luck). But, before we get ahead of ourselves, here are the nominees… Read More…

Pittsburgh looks to attract entrepreneurial dreamers (over the age of 45)

pittsburgh2

Last week, I moderated a panel discussion at the TechNW event in which panelists Andy Sack of TechStars, Glenn Kelman of Redfin and Kathy Savitt of Lockerz suggested that Seattle needs to do more to attract and retain young entrepreneurs. I agreed, citing the story of Box.net as a warning sign for the region and noting… Read More…

Hey Seattle, here’s why we’re so gosh darn awesome (Part Two)

seattle-skyline11

Last week, the Washington Technology Industry Association posted some short videos of Seattle area entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, journalists (including yours truly) and others talking about what makes the region’s tech sector unique. We posted the videos under the title: “Hey Seattle, here’s why we’re so gosh darn awesome.” Now, the WTIA — in advance of… Read More…

Hey Seattle, here’s why we’re so gosh darn awesome

seattle-skyline11

The Seattle tech community isn’t perfect, and we’ve certainly been willing to point out and highlight some of the deficiencies. But it’s also important not to lose sight of why so many of us choose to live and work in this mossy-covered corner of the world. That’s part of the reason why I was struck by… Read More…