10 Seattle Startups to Watch
Image via Deborah Jackson
All eyes are on Seattle. It seems like they have been for a while now, haven’t they? Seattle is always at the forefront when it comes to the most exciting cities in the US, if not the world.
Seattle is a mover and a shaker. What comes to your mind if you think of Seattle? The space needle? Grey’s Anatomy? Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Boeing? Microsoft? Amazon? The list goes on and on.
Of course, all of those are renowned Seattle references, including one of the most iconic television shows set in the Emerald City. The emerald color is associated with the area’s lush environment and evergreen trees. It’s also synonymous with the now iconic Starbucks Green.
Yes, the java juggernaut was founded here. It’s hard to believe now that Starbucks was once a startup. Other local brands that are now part of most of our lives are Amazon, Microsoft, and Costco.
So, there must be something about this place. Seattle is a tech startup hotbed with some of the country’s most innovative companies.
And it’s not hard to figure out why, but we’ll take a closer look. We’re looking at Seattle tech startups and why these companies choose Seattle as their starting point.
Then, we’ll check up on the Seattle tech startup history, list the best startups in Seattle, and finish with startups to watch.
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Seattle Tech Startups
There are many reasons why Seattle is a tech startup hotbed, and we’ll tell you how we got here in the next section. Startups often choose Seattle to start their business for a diverse set of reasons.
The city offers many advantages for tech startups, but of course, the success of the business depends on a variety of factors, including the startup’s product or service, target market, and specific industry trends.
However, in this list, we will assume all factors are favorable, and the business can thrive in the city based on the following points.
Tech Ecosystem
Seattle has a thriving and nurturing tech ecosystem in place with a rich history of successful tech companies. This ecosystem provides startups with access to experienced talent, networking opportunities, venture capitalists, accelerators, and incubators.
Seattle is a tech cluster that has had a huge influence on the city’s culture and economy. This network creates great knowledge exchange systems that support partnerships.
Talents
Go Dawgs! The University of Washington is a major research institution that offers local companies highly skilled and very diverse talents.
Of course, there are other fantastic schools with top tech programs. Because of them, startups can pretty much pick the top of the top from amazing programs from all industries.
Startups can also collaborate with institutions like UW for innovative research and cutting-edge projects.
Workforce
The Seattle workforce is known globally for its professionals because they have been at the center of where it happened and still happens.
This means that workers from Seattle bring years of experience in the tech industry. They know how to scale companies and form strong networks. Startups can profit from proven strategies and challenge navigation plans.
Investors
Startups can also profit from access to investors in the city. Seattle boasts a powerful investment community that is ready to support startups.
We are talking angel investors and venture capital firms. Microsoft, Amazon, and the like have given investors more confidence.
Seattle Life
There is a great quality of life in the city. It attracts people to its beautiful natural surroundings and urban center alike. This is perfect for startup employees who are looking for a supportive work-life balance.
Seattle also has a well-developed infrastructure that supports tech companies. From public transportation to high-speed internet and the city’s ports for global trade, this city has it all. Plus, it’s a short plane ride down to Silicon Valley, another tech cluster.
More Seattle Benefits
The tech industry is just one part of Seattle’s economic DNA. There are top healthcare, research, and aerospace companies in the city, which means there is plenty of opportunity for cross-industry collaborations.
The Seattle startup ecosystem is inclusive for newcomers. And Seattle has so much cultural appeal that it attracts and supports forward-thinkers and creative minds.
Seattle Tech Startup History
You now know why doing business here is great, but it didn’t just happen overnight. Let’s look back to where it all started and where we are now today.
The Seattle startup scene is world-renowned and is rooted in the city’s history of innovation, tech, and entrepreneurship. There are some key events and people that have fostered innovation in Seattle.
The Start
In the ’70s and ’80s, Boeing and Microsoft became major tech influences. Microsoft became the driving force in the tech world and attracted talent to the region. Capital followed. This is the foundation for the Seattle tech culture.
Boom
The dot-com boom led to new startups and further expansion in the tech industry that started in the 90s. Microsoft continued its strong dominance.
Diversity
The 2000s marked a period of diversification in the startup scene. It wasn’t just about tech anymore.
We’re talking biotech, healthcare, clean energy, and other industries that gained prominence in Seattle.
And then there came Amazon.
Investments
The 2010s brought more investments. The Seattle startup scene was thriving. Venture capital firms saw what Seattle could do and bring, so they poured lots of funding into the startup scene full of talent and ideas.
Seattle Now
Seattle’s startup scene today is about inclusion, diversity, and equity. There is still a long way to go, but we’ve seen major progress in this thriving city.
There are startups that focus on social impact, sustainability, and more causes that have gained traction. Seattle is and will remain a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem.
Are you ready to see what Seattle has to offer?
Best Startups in Seattle
Rebellyous Foods
The Seattle startup asks if one little nugget changes the world. Tens of millions of dollars in investments suggest so.
Seattle is a hotspot for vegan food, so it’s absolutely no surprise that a company out of the Emerald City is changing the chicken game.
At Rebellyous Foods, they create delicious, juicy, and budget-friendly 100% plant-based chicken nuggets, tenders, and patties accessible to all. Rebellyous delivers on a variety of fronts, including texture, flavor, and pricing.
You won’t believe it’s not real chicken. The company’s mission centers on advancing meat alternatives by leveraging food manufacturing technology and large-scale production to achieve cost parity with conventional animal-based meat.
Rebellyous Foods achieves these goals through specially crafted food items, high-end manufacturing automation, intelligent production centers, and innovative, energy-efficient manufacturing tools.
Outbound AI
AI is in all of our lives now, and we want to highlight a Seattle-based startup that is making strides in the AI realm.
Outbound AI, which was founded in 2021, is revolutionizing cloud tech to increase and enhance productivity for healthcare professionals and institutions.
That’s the simple mission, and in reality, it is assisting healthcare professionals with a pioneering healthcare Conversation AI. Basically, Outbound AI will provide virtual agents that assist with phone-based admin tasks such as billing and other revenue-related tasks.
Outbound AI is backed by a team of health vets and several top venture capital firms.
DexCare
We are staying in the healthcare industry with another smash startup. DexCare is a special tech platform that helps medical institutions like hospitals to manage their digital services better.
DexCare is essentially the brain behind all the different online tools that hospitals use. The company ensures that hospitals have the right resources to meet the needs of patients while also making good decisions.
With companies like DexCare, operations will be more efficient and more effective without losing the quality of care. Moreover, the company’s technology allows people to get online health care more easily.
Starfish Space
This is not a new Disney+ Star Wars series, but still ambitious to its core. Starfish Space is a Seattle startup in the aerospace industry that is getting a lot of attention.
The company’s focus is to develop advanced solutions for orbit-based tugs and specialized vehicles for satellite and vehicle maintenance and refueling. Yep, even space travel is becoming more efficient.
The startup, which was established in 2019, has secured major funding and is enhancing the advancement of its cutting-edge tech and services.
Swiftly
Aka, the future of retail tech, the company claims. And by the startup funding numbers, Switfly is definitely a startup to mention here.
Swiftly, the Seattle-based startup that was founded in 2018, has been turning heads in the tech sector by providing comprehensive retail solutions to businesses. Their turnkey solutions enhance store efficiency and increase profits.
With Swiftly, retailers become more competitive in the e-commerce world. The company’s tools empower businesses to seize market opportunities and build on market share.
Moreover, the platform supports customer retention and loyalty. By incorporating AI effectively to improve digital customer relationships, Swiftly is at the tech forefront.
Karat
Karat is a Seattle startup that is changing the HR game. Employers could benefit from an improved interview process, and this is exactly what Karat has come to be known for.
Karat, established in 2014, operates within the HR sector, delivering cloud-based solutions to enhance interview processes for businesses.
Their solutions streamline candidate interviews, reducing inefficiencies in hiring and ensuring the acquisition of top-tier talent for organizational progress and excellence.
Zeacon
This startup’s aim is simple: It wants to empower people to take control of their content. Zeacon offers an Interactive Video Community Platform, revolutionizing the way videos are experienced.
With Zeacon, individuals can effortlessly upload their videos while seamlessly incorporating interactive clickable elements, transforming passive viewing into an engaging and participatory experience.
This innovative approach empowers users to interact directly with the video content, fostering deeper engagement and meaningful connections.
Furthermore, Zeacon provides invaluable real-time data insights, offering creators the tools needed to continuously enhance their content based on audience interactions and preferences. Content improvement: Unlocked.
Startups To Watch
Check out our picks for Seattle’s best startups. There are many we are interested in, but we wanted to give you a glimpse at some of the top watches we would like to see more of.
They encompass viable and exciting industries and have delivered on promising missions.
Mozart Therapeutics
With a new round of funding, this company is one to watch for sure.
Mozart Therapeutics is a biotech company focused on creating treatments for autoimmune diseases. From Crohn’s disease to Ulcerative Colitis and other conditions, this company is revolutionizing its field.
The team’s expertise lies in developing biologics that target specific immune cells called CD8 T cells. These types of cells play a vital role in autoimmune conditions.
The company, established in 2020, is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions in the field of biotechnology.
Umoja Biopharma
Positive data is pouring in from this Seattle Startup. Umoja Biopharma is at the forefront of groundbreaking immunotherapy research, which has received great funding.
The company is dedicated to revolutionizing cancer treatment through new and innovative tech. Research has been conducted at Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Purdue University.
Nori
We’re excited about this one. Nori is removing CO2 from the atmosphere. With the current climate and outlook, this company has a sustainable aim.
Nori operates as a carbon removal marketplace dedicated to mitigating climate change. Their mission revolves around simplifying the funding of projects that extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
By partnering with enterprises and individuals, Nori facilitates the achievement of climate targets through the purchase of carbon removals.
The startup’s collaboration efforts extend to farmers, compensating them for carbon removal initiatives featured on their platform. Initially focused on soil-storing regenerative agriculture projects, Nori plans to diversify into additional methodologies.
She’s A Given
She’s A Given is also a Seattle-based company with global reach. If you have any questions about starting or growing your own business, we can assist you by providing top-tier virtual assistants.
Feel free to reach out, and we will take it from there.
