When Dan Shapiro invented Robot Turtles, a board game that teaches kids to code, he had no intention of becoming the man behind the most-funded board game campaign in Kickstarter history. He created the game because he thought his children would enjoy it — and then “accidentally” raised $631,230 on the crowdfunding platform.
Robot Turtles, which uses playful characters and graphics to simulate the fundamentals of programming, is now on the shelves of Target retail stores everywhere. Before his board game endeavor, Shapiro founded several startups and worked for Microsoft and Google.
Seattle techies interested in hearing the story behind the reluctant board game mogul should stop by WeWork Seattle for a fireside chat with the man himself. General Assembly is hosting the event on Monday, August 25 at 8 pm. Snacks and beer will be provided. Register for free here.
That’s just one of our selections from the GeekWire Calendar — our curated list of the top tech events in the Pacific Northwest.
Keep reading for more highlights and check out the calendar for more.
Startup Grind Seattle
This month’s installment of Startup Grind Seattle will feature a fireside chat with Rahul Sood, the General Manager and Partner of Microsoft Ventures. Prior to his tenure with Microsoft, Sood spent 18 years working with multiple startups. Stop by before the chat for refreshments and networking opportunities.
When & Where: Aug. 26, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dice Cabana at SURF, Seattle.
The Responsible Entrepreneur: How much difference can you make with a business?
Women of TiE, a group of female entrepreneurs and professionals, invite the Seattle tech community to stop by their advocacy-minded inaugural event. Guests will hear from four entrepreneurs leading organizations that have “changed the course of an industry, a social system, a cultural belief or the effect of governing agreements—through how they ran their business.” Tickets can be purchased for $25 here and refreshments are included.
When & Where: Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Bellevue City Hall, Bellevue.
Pitch Karaoke!… A Startup Weekend Gathering
As part of the upcoming Startup Weekend, Up Global is hosting an unconventional pitch night. Volunteers from the crowd will be asked to pitch imaginary startups without any preparation. The event is an opportunity to overcome fears of public speaking, educate attendees on the critical elements of a 5-minute pitch, and give practice to entrepreneurs in a low-pressure environment. For $1, guests gain admission, beer, and snacks. Register here.
When & Where: Aug. 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Startup Hall (aka Condon Hall), Seattle.
Press Start, Turbo Edition III
Ltd. Gallery is offering a unique opportunity to check out the intersection of gaming and art. This free exhibit will feature work from over 40 artists paying tribute to the modern classics of video games. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out the exhibit until September, but there’s an opening reception Friday August, 29. Guests are invited to stop by to enjoy complimentary beverages, Killer Instinct gameplay on XboxOne consoles, and a live DJ. RSVP here.
When & Where: Aug. 29, 7:00p.m – September 27. Ltd. Art Gallery, Seattle.
Mark your calendar for our biggest event of the year: The GeekWire Summit. Early-bird rates expire soon, so don’t snooze, grab those tickets here!
Contact GeekWire’s Monica Nickelsburg at monica@geekwire.com. Listings for this feature are picked from the GeekWire Calendar, where you can submit free listings for technology-related events in the Pacific Northwest.
