Mike Ross, Tableau’s director of global real estate, accepts the Geekiest Office Space award for the company at the 2019 GeekWire Awards. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)

Editor’s note: The GeekWire Awards are now virtual on July 23.

It takes more than a ping-pong table to attract the next talented tech professional. Office spaces across the Seattle region boast a variety of modern amenities and design perks these days, and companies big and small are sparing no expense in trying to stand out among the pack.

Awards 2020 geekiest office jllAt the 2020 GeekWire Awards, five finalists are competing for the title of Geekiest Office Space — a coveted feather in the recruiting and retention cap. The companies are: Create33, doxo, Highspot, Rover and Sonos.

Community voting is now open in 13 GeekWire Awards categories, and these votes will be factored in with feedback from more than 20 judges. On May 19 we will announce the winners live on stage at the GeekWire Awards — presented by Wave Business — in front of more than 800 geeks at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.

Data visualization software company Tableau took home the 2019 Geekiest Office Space award.

Keep scrolling for images and descriptions of this year’s finalists. Cast your votes below and grab your tickets. This category is presented by JLL.

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Create33

This entrepreneur center is the brainchild of Madrona Venture Group, and sits just a floor below the Seattle VC firm in the Wells Fargo Center. The space includes co-working desks, 24 conference rooms, an event space, a production studio, startup training rooms and a kitchen. Take a closer look.

(GeekWire Photos)

doxo

Views, dogs and data — with a quirky twist. That’s how they sum up the office space at doxo, the startup with a passion for making it easier to pay your bills. Office walls are decorated with a mix of fun posters and big screens with data dashboards for all to watch. Holidays are a busy time, so doxo celebrates around Groundhog Day instead. And they celebrate on Fridays, too, with a happy hour that starts at 4.

(doxo Photos)

Highspot

Come for the snacks and the views of Puget Sound, stay for the LEED-certified office space with a living plant wall and in-house barista. Highspot’s 12 guiding principles, which support the culture of the AI-powered sales software company, are physically represented throughout the space — painted in murals, displayed in a wall-size plaque with employee names, and wrapped around pillars that support the building. “Culture is the catalyst for company success,” CEO Robert Wahbe says. “We are committed to creating an environment where people are free to bring their full selves to the office every day.”

 

(Highspot Photos)

Rover

It’s one thing to attract humans with your fancy new office, but it better be up to snuff for the dogs. Four-legged friends are the reason pet-sitting startup Rover is even a business, and in a new HQ, staff and dog coexistence and comfort is key. Easily cleanable surfaces and sturdy furniture, custom-built gate solutions and dog-related amenities can be found throughout the space. Breakout zones and quiet areas are also available for employees who need a break.

 

(Unispace Photos for Rover)

Sonos

The Seattle offices for the wireless home audio company look like they could be home to a record label, with framed album cover art and large images of rock icons gracing the walls. But the sound is what makes the space — specifically as it relates to the 50 Sonos speakers, strategically placed throughout to provide a soundtrack to the company’s culture. Twenty-six conference rooms are all named for Seattle-based bands or music venues and there are quotes from famous artists stenciled onto hallway walls. Take a closer look.

(Unispace Photos for Sonos)
A big thanks to our longtime awards presenting partner, Wave Business, for supporting this fun community event. Also, thanks to gold and category sponsors: BECU, BCRA, Blink UX, EY, JLL, Premera, Slalom, WSGR and First Tech Federal Credit Union. And to our supporting sponsors Bader Martin, Flyhomes, Moz, Funko, Killer Visual Strategies and Tagboard. If interested in sponsoring a category or another component of the GeekWire Awards, please contact us at advertising@geekwire.com.
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