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Category: Seattle

Early stage venture capital firm Founders’ Co-op turns 15

The startup world is often seen as one of constant change. And that’s because it generally is. But every once in a while, there’s an entity that manages to stay the course. Remaining consistent. And ideally, solvent. And those few and far between, steadfast entities are critical. Because it’s those elements of a startup ecosystem that provide the tentpole-esque support that ensures the ever changing elements can do what they do. And that the community will survive. From my perspective, that’s what Founders’ Co-op has done over the last 15 years for startups throughout the Pacific Northwest.

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Vancouver startup RealWear acquires Seattle startup and Pioneer Square Labs alum Genba

It’s always nice to see local startups continuing to grow. And sometimes, the best way to efficiently continue that expansion can be picking up companies with complementary technologies. Which is what happened this week as Vancouver, Washington, startup RealWear announced the acquisition of Seattle startup Genba.

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Seattle VC Flying Fish — which has been active in Portland — has a new $70 million fund for AI/ML startups

Seattle VC firm Flying Fish has a new cache of dry powder for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning startups. And given that they’ve been active in Portland in the past, that could mean good news for AI/ML startups seeking early stage funding.

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With apologies to Toad the Wet Sprocket… Startup on the ocean? Apply to Maritime Blue Accelerator

Even in a midst of a global pandemic, it’s difficult to forget the negative impact of climate change. And the ocean — and its overall health — will play a significant role in working to reverse the destruction we, as humans, have done to the planet. That’s why I’m excited to see what startups wind up in the Maritime Blue Accelerator.

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There’s a new pre-Seed fund in the Pacific Northwest. Meet Startup Haven Venture Fund.

In order to sustain a vibrant startup investor ecosystem, funds need to start, find success, and raise more funds. And should that success cause them to grow beyond their previous stage focus, then new funds need to start to backfill the gaps. So as many of the early stage funds in the Pacific Northwest achieve success and move downstream to Seed and Series A investments, it’s nice to see new funds stepping up to take the opportunity to support pre-Seed startups. Like the new Startup Haven Venture Fund.

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A decade of GeekWire

I always like seeing startups celebrate milestones. I truly believe that there’s so much hard work, stress, anxiety, and difficulty in building a company, that we owe it to ourselves to celebrate the bright spots. No matter how seemingly insignificant. Which is why — contrary to their stance on the newsworthiness of anniversaries — I am incredibly happy to see GeekWire celebrating a decade of covering the Pacific Northwest technology community.

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Seattle-based investor Founders’ Co-op closes largest fund yet

While Founders’ Co-op is headquartered in Seattle, the fund regularly puts money to work in Portland. So when I hear the news that they have more money to put to work, I always remain hopeful that they’ll continue that trend of investing here. Because Founders Co-op has $50 million to invest from their latest fund.

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