Startups

Learn to code for less than $2,000? New bootcamp offers study-from-home training

by Lisa Stiffler on April 2, 2020April 2, 2020 at 2:13 pmComment

From Ludo Fourrage’s point of view, the tech bootcamp model was too narrow. Fourrage, who worked for 18 years at Microsoft in roles that included leading a digital learning program,… Read More

Coding bootcamp Coding Dojo trims staff, launches volunteer program to help small businesses

by Taylor Soper on April 2, 2020April 2, 2020 at 4:05 pm1 Comment

Bellevue, Wash.-based engineering bootcamp operator Coding Dojo is laying off staff and moving its education content online in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The company let go of seven employees… Read More

Life insurance startup Jenny Life raises $3.5M, sees huge engagement spike due to COVID-19

by Taylor Soper on April 2, 2020April 2, 2020 at 9:58 am1 Comment

Many tech startups are seeing a decline in business activity due to the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s not the case for Jenny Life, a Seattle life insurance startup that is experiencing… Read More

Seattle robotics company steps in to help after UW student’s startup dream is stalled by COVID-19

by Kurt Schlosser on April 2, 2020April 2, 2020 at 12:25 pmComment

Rob Sinclair was excited to be taking time off from work and the corporate world to go back to school. With a desire to learn more about building a startup… Read More

Building a recession-era startup: 4 advantages and 1 annoying thing I learned

by Aaron Goldfeder on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 at 3:29 pm1 Comment

My startups seem to be timed with market collapses and Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia sharing some kind of “end of days” message. Last time it was the Great… Read More

Seattle marketing software startup Usermind lays off 15 employees

by Taylor Soper on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 at 5:30 pmComment

The layoffs continue hitting tech companies. Seattle marketing software startup Usermind said today it let go of 15 employees due to economic impact from the COVID-19 crisis. The cuts affected… Read More

Video

Seattle techies launch The Aigency, a talent agency for robot actors

by Taylor Soper on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 at 12:11 amComment

Seattle entrepreneurs Forest Gibson and Jared Cheshier today launched The Aigency, a new talent agency for robot actors. The company connects film production studios, event organizers, and other media groups… Read More

Shiftboard merges with SchedulePro to offer more robust workforce scheduling software

by Taylor Soper on March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 at 1:50 pmComment

Seattle-based Shiftboard is merging with Vancouver, B.C.-based SchedulePro to beef up its workforce scheduling application. Both companies sell similar software and say the combination will leverage strengths of each product.… Read More

Pet care startup Rover lays off 41% of workforce due to COVID-19 impact

by Taylor Soper on March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 at 11:18 am 3 Comments

Seattle-based startup Rover laid off 41% of its workforce today due to the economic impact and uncertainty from the COVID-19 outbreak. Rover put an additional 9% of staff on standby.… Read More

Seattle startup Tomorrow sees app usage increase as interest in legal wills surges in COVID-19 crisis

by Karina Mazhukhina on March 30, 2020March 31, 2020 at 10:21 amComment

Seattle startup Tomorrow is seeing a surge in activity with its legal will-creating app amid the novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 770,000 globally. The company helps make… Read More

Textio raises $12M as Seattle startup looks to reach job candidates with writing technology

by Kurt Schlosser on March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 at 9:36 amComment

Seattle-based augmented writing startup Textio has closed a $12 million funding round as the company looks to expand beyond the enterprise market. The news comes on the heels of cutbacks… Read More

GeekWire Calendar Picks: How to not be weird on Zoom; breaking the glass ceiling; and more

by Nicole Tanner on March 29, 2020March 30, 2020 at 12:04 pmComment

— Since the coronavirus outbreak, many employees have been working from home. That means meetings and appointments over video conferencing software. It can be difficult to make sure you’re presenting… Read More

‘Canary in a coal mine’: Seattle marketing tech startup Amplero shuts down, lays off 17 employees

by Taylor Soper on March 29, 2020March 29, 2020 at 9:48 pm 12 Comments

The future was bright for Amplero. The Seattle marketing tech startup entered 2020 with positive momentum and plans to nearly triple its revenue. But then the COVID-19 outbreak brought the… Read More

Seattle teenagers debut SMS text alert service for COVID-19 stats, set sights on screening tool

by Karina Mazhukhina on March 27, 2020March 30, 2020 at 8:37 am1 Comment

Two University of Washington students just released a SMS COVID-19 tracker and have plans for a coronavirus screening tool. Nikolas Ioannou and Sage Khanuja are the teenagers behind Spira, which… Read More

Textio lays off 30 amid COVID-19; Seattle startup hopes its AI writing tech will aid all job seekers

by Kurt Schlosser on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 at 3:02 pm 7 Comments

Textio, the Seattle startup whose augmented writing platform helps companies use language that attracts the right job candidates, laid off 30 employees on Friday, or 20 percent of its team.… Read More

Bright.md raises $8M for virtual healthcare service that can help with COVID-19 related care

by Karina Mazhukhina on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 at 1:18 pmComment

Bright.md raised more money for its AI-powered virtual healthcare service as the Portland, Ore.-based startup helps screen patients with COVID-19-like symptoms. B Capital and Seven Peaks Ventures led an $8… Read More

GeekWire 200 startup leaders share leadership advice on navigating the COVID-19 crisis

by Taylor Soper on March 27, 2020March 31, 2020 at 4:18 pmComment

There is no coronavirus playbook. Company leaders are facing an unprecedented crisis as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads worldwide and impacts businesses across multiple industries. Seattle was the initial epicenter of… Read More

To further address bias in writing, Textio adds features to highlight ageism and ableism

by Kurt Schlosser on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 at 11:23 am1 Comment

Textio’s augmented writing work to help companies use the right language to find the right people for jobs — while eliminating bias — is expanding to include features related to… Read More

During run on toilet paper, Cloud Paper is on a roll with its tree-free product and a worthy donation

by Kurt Schlosser on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 at 9:24 am1 Comment

Toilet paper is a popular item these days, as the coronavirus outbreak has created a run on the household staple and led to empty store shelves across the country. Cloud… Read More

Video

Learn to code for less than $2,000? New bootcamp offers study-from-home training

Coding bootcamp Coding Dojo trims staff, launches volunteer program to help small businesses

Life insurance startup Jenny Life raises $3.5M, sees huge engagement spike due to COVID-19

Seattle robotics company steps in to help after UW student’s startup dream is stalled by COVID-19

Building a recession-era startup: 4 advantages and 1 annoying thing I learned

Seattle marketing software startup Usermind lays off 15 employees

Seattle techies launch The Aigency, a talent agency for robot actors

Shiftboard merges with SchedulePro to offer more robust workforce scheduling software

Pet care startup Rover lays off 41% of workforce due to COVID-19 impact

Seattle startup Tomorrow sees app usage increase as interest in legal wills surges in COVID-19 crisis

Textio raises $12M as Seattle startup looks to reach job candidates with writing technology

GeekWire Calendar Picks: How to not be weird on Zoom; breaking the glass ceiling; and more

‘Canary in a coal mine’: Seattle marketing tech startup Amplero shuts down, lays off 17 employees

Seattle teenagers debut SMS text alert service for COVID-19 stats, set sights on screening tool

Textio lays off 30 amid COVID-19; Seattle startup hopes its AI writing tech will aid all job seekers

Bright.md raises $8M for virtual healthcare service that can help with COVID-19 related care

GeekWire 200 startup leaders share leadership advice on navigating the COVID-19 crisis

To further address bias in writing, Textio adds features to highlight ageism and ableism

How two Seattle startups are helping doctors uncover hidden trends in COVID-19 cases

‘America needs our help’: Q&A with OfferUp CEO Nick Huzar after Seattle-area startup lands $120M

OfferUp raises $120M, will acquire rival Letgo; OLX Group to own 40% of combined entity

Concure Oncology raises $2.5M for breast cancer treatment that fights tumors with radioactive seeds

Recycling startup Ridwell collecting hygiene supplies and more to help groups during COVID-19

Leafly lays off additional 91 employees, eliminating more than 50 percent of staff in 2020

8 tips: How startups can survive the COVID-19 economic crisis

Photo booth startup hit hard by loss of live events pivots to gift boxes to try to ‘Keep Your City Smiling’

Seattle’s coffee tech startups try to keep cup half full as they help partners weather coronavirus

Seattle startups forced to temporarily lay off workers due to impact from COVID-19 outbreak

What you need to know about the CARES Act: A small business virtual roundtable

ONLINE EVENT: Microsoft 45th Anniversary Online Celebration

POSTPONED: Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit Seattle