Taylor Soper

Amazon reportedly set to lay off up to 30,000 corporate employees in massive workforce cut The sweeping workforce reduction is intended to reduce expenses and compensate for over-hiring during the pandemic, according to a report from Reuters.

Amazon is reportedly preparing to lay off as many as 30,000 corporate employees in a sweeping workforce reduction intended to curb expenses and compensate for over-hiring during the pandemic.

Seattle mayor says Microsoft and Amazon have a ‘moral obligation’ to give back to the city Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell addresses the crowd at an Amazon event in 2024. (GeekWire File Photo / Taylor Soper) Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has a message

His comments reflect a delicate balance faced by Harrell and other city leaders — ensuring that Seattle's global tech corporations continue to bolster the economy and tax base, while addressing the ripple effects on housing, transportation, and communities.

Seattle vs. Toronto: As Mariners and Blue Jays battle on the field, which city has the better tech hub? Seattle and Toronto are squaring off on the baseball diamond this week in the American League Championship Series. But how do the two cities fare in a battle over tech bragging rights?

Seattle and Toronto are squaring off on the baseball diamond this week in the American League Championship Series. But how do the two cities fare in a battle over tech bragging rights?

‘Seis the moment’: Earthquake monitors measure shaking during Mariners’ epic playoff win in Seattle The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, which monitors earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington and Oregon, installed a sensor inside T-Mobile Park to record seismic energy during the American League Di...

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network @pnsn1.bsky.social, which monitors earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington and Oregon, installed a sensor inside T-Mobile Park to record seismic energy during the American League Division Series game.

Microsoft to provide free Copilot tools for Washington state schools amid debate over AI’s role in learning Microsoft Elevate Washington is a sweeping new initiative that will provide free access to AI-powered software and training for all 295 public school districts and 34 community and technical colleges ...

Microsoft is bringing artificial intelligence to every public classroom in its home state — and sparking new questions about its role in education.

‘We build shit’: Washington state leans on innovative culture to thrive amid national turmoil From left: A panel discussion at the 20th anniversary event for the Washington State Academy of Sciences included Babak Parviz, CEO at New Days; Elizabeth

Amid political polarization and uncertain federal research policy, Washington leaders are betting on stability through a unique innovation ecosystem rooted in the state’s institutions and businesses.

In new memo, Microsoft CEO addresses ‘enigma’ of layoffs amid record profits and AI investments Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at the company's 50th anniversary event. (GeekWire File Photo / Kevin Lisota) Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed the

In a new memo to employees, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged the disconnect between recent layoffs and the company’s record investments in AI infrastructure and talent, calling it the “enigma of success” in a fast-changing economy.

‘Massive productivity booster’: Seattle developers on how Cursor is changing the way they code Kevin Leneway, principal AI software engineer at Pioneer Square Labs, writes code with Cursor during a meetup in Seattle on Tuesday. (GeekWire Photo /

‘Massive productivity booster’: Seattle developers on how Cursor is changing the way they code www.geekwire.com/2025/massive...

How to land a tech job in the AI era: Founders, recruiters, professors share advice for grads
www.geekwire.com/2025/how-to-...

Microsoft cuts nearly 3% of global workforce, about 6,000 jobs, in latest push for efficiency Microsoft began laying off thousands of employees, targeting less than 3% of its global workforce in a move to streamline operations and reduce management layers.

Microsoft cuts nearly 3% of global workforce, about 6,000 jobs, in latest push for efficiency — by @toddbishop.bsky.social

Palo Alto Networks to acquire Seattle cybersecurity startup Protect AI From left: Protect AI CTO Badar Ahmed; President Daryan Dehghanpisheh; and CEO Ian Swanson. (Protect AI Photo) Cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks to acquire Seattle cybersecurity startup Protect AI www.geekwire.com/2025/palo-al... via @geekwire.com

‘A real blow’: Washington state sales tax on tech and digital services rattles industry The Washington state capitol in Olympia. (GeekWire File Photo / John Cook) A host of tech-related businesses will soon be subject to Washington’s retail

‘A real blow’: Washington state sales tax on tech and digital services rattles industry www.geekwire.com/2025/washing... via @geekwire.com

Seattle crosswalk buttons hacked to sound like Jeff Bezos, who tells pedestrians, ‘don’t tax the rich’ An audio-enabled crosswalk button in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood that's been altered to sound like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is speaking.

Seattle crosswalk buttons hacked to sound like Jeff Bezos, who tells pedestrians, ‘don’t tax the rich’ www.geekwire.com/2025/seattle... via @geekwire.com

Mark Cuban backs Seattle startup developing TikTok competitor (Skylight Social Image) With the future of TikTok up in the air, two engineers from Seattle just landed funding from Mark Cuban for their short-form video

@mcuban.bsky.social backs Seattle startup @skylight.social developing TikTok competitor

Shopify arrives in Amazon’s backyard with new Bellevue office (Shopify Image) There's another tech giant in town. Canadian e-commerce behemoth Shopify has inked a deal for office space in Bellevue, Wash., becoming

Canadian e-commerce behemoth Shopify has inked a deal for office space in Bellevue, Wash., becoming the latest tech company to tap into the Seattle region’s deep talent pool.

Seattle is poised for massive AI innovation impact — but could use more entrepreneurial vibes Stastig CEO Vijaye Raji (left) and Acquired podcast co-host Ben Gilbert speak on stage at the Seattle Startup Summit on Friday. (GeekWire Photo / Taylor

Instead of applauding a 10-year anniversary at Microsoft, for example, perhaps the reaction should be instead to ask “when are you going to do something interesting,” said Gilbert, a former Microsoft program manager.

New startup hubs supercharge Seattle’s tech scene — just in time for the AI boom The new AI House in Seattle held a launch party on Wednesday, celebrating the opening of its 108,000 square-foot startup hub at Pier 70 that serves as

In less than a year, two new startup community groups have emerged in Seattle, adding physical hubs to a tech ecosystem that is bursting with talent but is often criticized for being siloed and fragmented.

Microsoft@50 recap: Company faithful mark first 50 years and look to future at GeekWire event Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer takes the stage at GeekWire's Microsoft@50 event at Town Hall in Seattle on Thursday. (GeekWire Photo / Taylor Soper)

GeekWire hosted hundreds of longtime Microsoft employees, key executives, company faithful and tech community members Thursday night in Seattle at Microsoft@50, a GeekWire event to mark the company’s 50th anniversary.

How to stream Seattle Mariners games with team’s new app T-Mobile Park in Seattle, home of the Mariners. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser) Seattle Mariners fans have a new way to watch their favorite baseball

How to stream Seattle Mariners games with team’s new app

Why startups should pay attention to ‘vibe coding’ — and approach with caution (BigStock Image) There's a trendy new term going around startup circles that is sparking questions about how AI coding tools could change the way early

Why startups should pay attention to ‘vibe coding’ — and approach with caution

College students get a taste of startup life inside dynamic UW entrepreneurship class Team "Stimma" pitches at Pioneer Square Labs on Wednesday in front of Seattle venture capitalists. (GeekWire Photo / Taylor Soper) Best class ever? That

College students get a taste of startup life inside dynamic University of Washington entrepreneurship class www.geekwire.com/2025/college...

GeekWire Breaking News in Technology & Business

Zillow responds to Rocket’s planned $1.75B acquisition of Redfin https://www.geekwire.com/2025/zillow-responds-to-rockets-planned-1-75b-acquisition-of-redfin/

GeekWire Breaking News in Technology & Business

Could Zillow buy Redfin? New rentals partnership brings real estate rivals closer together https://www.geekwire.com/2025/could-zillow-buy-redfin-new-rentals-partnership-brings-real-estate-rivals-closer-together/

GeekWire 200 update: Here are the hot tech startups moving up our list for Q1 2025 The latest update to the GeekWire 200 reveals which companies are growing quickly and making moves up our list of top-ranked Pacific Northwest tech

The latest update to the GeekWire 200 reveals which companies are growing quickly and making moves up our list of top-ranked Pacific Northwest tech startups.

GeekWire Breaking News in Technology & Business

Seattle mayor says he has ‘grave concerns’ about Trump administration https://www.geekwire.com/2025/seattle-mayor-says-he-has-grave-concerns-about-trump-administration/

Amazon and Seattle: Mayor Bruce Harrell on tech giant’s full return to office, and relationship with city Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, left, speaking with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell at an event in Seattle last year to announce new funding for affordable housing

In an interview with GeekWire this week, Harrell explained how he’s navigating a delicate balance faced by many city leaders — ensuring that the local corporate giant continues to bolster the economy and tax base, while addressing the ripple effects on housing, transportation, and communities.

Wealth tax proposal in Washington state reignites debate over taxes and tech talent migration (Bigstock Photo) Do taxes that target wealthy residents drive away entrepreneurs and businesses? That's the question being debated again in Washington

Do taxes that target wealthy residents drive away entrepreneurs and businesses?

That’s the question being debated again in Washington state after Gov. Jay Inslee this week proposed a new wealth tax to help generate revenue for government programs and address a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall.

Bellevue real estate brokers bullish about Amazon’s new return-to-office policy as Microsoft moves out The view from street level at one of Amazon's new office towers in Bellevue, Wash. (GeekWire Photo / Kurt Schlosser) Real estate brokers are excited about

Real estate brokers are excited about Amazon’s new mandate that goes into effect next month, requiring employees in the office five days per week.

Microsoft will take $800 million charge on Cruise investment as GM exits robotaxi business GM announced this week that it will no longer pursue the Cruise robotaxi business. (Cruise Photo) Microsoft will take an $800 million charge on its

Microsoft will take an $800 million charge on its investment in the Cruise robotaxi business after General Motors announced it would no longer fund the initiative as part of a shift in its autonomous driving strategy.

Story by @toddbishop.bsky.social www.geekwire.com/2024/microso...

Protect produce: New startup in Seattle aims to make food last longer with high-tech fridge Tomorrow says its technology can make produce, such as lettuce, last longer in the fridge. (Tomorrow Photo) Buying fresh produce and cooking at home can

Buying fresh produce and cooking at home can be a healthy proposition, but storing food in the fridge can lead to waste when the berries go bad and cucumbers lose their crunch.

Now a new Seattle startup is coming out of stealth mode with a potential solution to spoiled food.