What’s next for Seattle’s startup ecosystem as Techstars departs?

Techstars Seattle is done. What does it mean for the city’s startup ecosystem? That’s a question on our minds in the immediate aftermath of the surprising news this week from Techstars to shut down its Seattle program. There’s buzz within Seattle startup circles that something else will fill the void. (Above: The 10th Techstars Seattle cohort at Demo Day in 2019.) Read more

• Related: Techstars CEO Maelle Gavet criticized a blog post penned by Chris DeVore, a longtime Seattle investor who ran Techstars Seattle as managing director from 2014 to 2019.

SPONSOR MESSAGE: BOT or NOT? This special series explores the evolving relationship between humans and machines, examining the ways that robots, AI and automation are impacting our work and lives: Read more.

"Home run in the first inning": That’s how Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen described the re-emergence of Convoy’s technology, less than four months after the Seattle startup collapsed and sold its assets to San Francisco-based logistics giant Flexport. “I’m so proud to see Convoy’s technology platform and marketplace relaunch this week within Flexport,” said Convoy co-founder and former CEO Dan Lewis . Read more. 

Washington state’s burgeoning battery hub in Moses Lake drew a visit this week from U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell. Their tour included stops at companies working on next-generation materials for lithium ion batteries. (Above: Group14's new factory takes shape.) Read more.

Startup fundings:

• OpenTug , a Seattle-based marketplace and software platform for marine transportation logistics, raised $3.1 million to boost its tech and grow its network of shippers and service providers.
• Healionics Corporation , a Seattle medical technology company, raised $5.5 million to complete ongoing human trials of its artificial blood vessel for kidney dialysis patients.

High school students in Washington state’s class of 2029 might need to demonstrate some competency in computer science in order to graduate if a bill making its way through the legislature becomes law. Only 10 states in the U.S. have such requirements. Read more. 

Hot Links:

• Madrona managing director Matt McIlwain offers a framework for business models as it relates to selling AI-related software. (LinkedIn)
• Jeff Bezos is investing in Figure AI, a startup backed by OpenAI and Microsoft that is developing human-like robots. (Bloomberg)
• Review: Amazon’s new Echo Hub control panel is an easy-to-use, intuitive, affordable way to manage smart home devices. (The Verge)
• Amazon’s workforce in Seattle has dropped by 10,000 employees from its 2020 peak of 60,000 due to layoffs, turnover and growth in neighboring Bellevue, Wash. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

SPONSOR MESSAGE: 87% of young people are talking to their parents about online risks, says new research from Microsoft. However, greater awareness of safety features and tools is needed.

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