Here’s a roundup of interesting startup links I came across today:
Local tech scenes have changed – by Alex Danco – a16z
The single most important question for whether local startup scenes are viable or not is, “How much career risk does A-list talent take on by staying here rather than going to SF?”
Former Kraken exec Todd Humphrey launches firm to improve customer experiences in sports and beyond – GeekWire
Less than five minutes after meeting with Todd Humphrey at a Seattle coffee shop, the longtime tech exec is already sizing up the customer. He quickly assesses how coffee drinkers interact with each other and their technology devices, and wonders why they’ve come to this particular location.
Building the Future of Civic Service: Seattle AI Hackathon Recap
One of the ways we’re turning that plan into action is through our Civic Innovation Hackathon Series. With the support of our partners AI2 Incubator, We Build With AI, Bolt.New, and Ada Developers Academy, these events have created a hands-on environment where anyone can contribute to how we address the challenges our communities face. And with each hackathon, the momentum keeps growing. Over 170 people registered and 18 teams competed at the November 6 Customer Service Hackathon!
ChatGPT launched three years ago | TechCrunch
On November 30, 2022, OpenAI introduced a new product to the world, innocuously describing it as “a model called ChatGPT which interacts in a conversational way.”
Free Money — Oregon Venture Fund
Multnomah County, for example, has one of the highest combined long-term capital gains tax rates in the country – comparable to San Francisco and Manhattan. However, OVF investors living in these high-tax areas often owe nothing on their OVF proceeds. That’s real after-tax value.
Portland’s Black Earth United apparel line takes sustainable path – Portland Business Journal
With a $65,000 grant from Prosper Portland, Rice intends to bring sewing machines and deadstock fabric materials to Black makers’ homes to create Black Earth United’s third line.
How to Add a Chatbot to Your Website: DIY AI Chatbot Guide
If you’re wondering how to add a chatbot to your website, you’re not alone. Every business today wants instant, automated, round-the-clock support. But with so many tools, platforms, and AI options out there, choosing the right approach can feel overwhelming.
Google, Nvidia, and OpenAI – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
The heroes of the AI story over the last three years have been two companies: OpenAI and Nvidia. The first is a startup called, with the release of ChatGPT, to be the next great consumer tech company; the other was best known as a gaming chip company characterized by boom-and-bust cycles driven by their visionary and endlessly optimistic founder, transformed into the most essential infrastructure provider for the AI revolution. Over the last two weeks, however, both have entered the cave and are facing their greatest ordeal: the Google empire is very much striking back.
I love AI. Why doesn’t everyone? – by Noah Smith
The difference between our views of old and new technologies isn’t necessarily irrational. Old technologies present less risk — we basically know what effect they’ll have on society as a whole, and on our own personal economic opportunities. New technologies are disruptive in ways we can’t predict, and it makes sense to be worried about that risk that we might personally end up on the losing end of the upcoming social and economic changes.
The Merger Playbook: Crossbeam’s CEO Breaks Down Every Detail of the Deal That Worked
A founder’s firsthand account of how he merged with a competitor to materially change the trajectory of his company.
Where unicorns fear to tread — building businesses that are better for the world
A short history of Zebras Unite, one of the systems change ventures I co-created in the last 10 years. We are working on a book about zebras that’s slated to come out in 2026.
