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GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.
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Inside the plan to save Zulily, with the star of CNBC's 'The Profit'
This week on the GeekWire Podcast: The rise, fall, and revival of Zulily. We revisit one the most prominent ecommerce brands to come out of Seattle, explain its decline, and consider a plan by Beyond Inc., led by investor and entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, to acquire its brand assets and relaunch the site.
With GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper and co-founder Todd Bishop.
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AI's transparency problem: Tech leaders advocate for new insights into training data
Artificial intelligence is a powerful technology that promises to reshape the future, but it also poses many risks. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of regulation and oversight of the data used to train AI models. A new nonprofit, the Seattle-based Transparency Coalition (transparencycoalition.ai) aims to address this issue.
The co-founders of the group, veteran startup founders and technology leaders Rob Eleveld and Jai Jaisimha, join us on this episode of the GeekWire Podcast to discuss their reasons for starting the organization, and their goals to help shape emerging legislation and public policy in this area.
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Audio editing by Curt Milton.
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AI's trust problem: Richard Edelman on the risk to the tech industry
A new report points to a crisis of trust in innovation, and the risk that rapid technological change — especially in the field of artificial intelligence — will fuel increased populism and polarization across societies.
Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, discussed these and other findings from the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer during visits last week with the global communications firm's clients in tech-heavy Seattle and San Francisco. GeekWire sat down with Edelman during his visit to the firm's downtown Seattle office for this episode of the GeekWire Podcast.
He discusses the shift in trust from top-down authority figures to local relationships, with employees and consumers expecting companies to take a stand on important issues.
Edelman suggests that businesses and technology leaders need to focus on implementation, adaptation, and acceptance of innovation, and to be transparent and clear in their communication with the public.
He calls for collaboration between businesses, government, NGOs, and media to ensure that innovation is well-managed and benefits society as a whole.
Related links
Access the full 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer report.
Edelman: 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Reveals Innovation has Become a New Risk Factor for Trust
Richard Edelman: Technology Industry Watch Out, Innovation at Risk
Axios: Public trust in AI is sinking across the board
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How Microsoft, Amazon, and T-Mobile use big bets to build durable businesses
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, our guests are John Rossman and Kevin McCaffrey, authors of the new book, "Big Bet Leadership."
It's a playbook for business leaders to systematically make bets in a way that reduces risk and increases long-term flexibility. The book draws lessons from the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, T-Mobile and SpaceX, while also leaning heavily on the first-hand experience of the authors overseeing and implementing big bets.
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Audio editing by Curt Milton.
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BONUS: Seattle after Techstars, with guest Chris DeVore
Entrepreneur and investor Chris DeVore had an inside view of Techstars Seattle as one of the original leaders of the local startup accelerator in 2010, serving as its managing director from 2014 to 2019.
His Feb. 21 post "What went wrong at Techstars," looked closely at the organization's evolution — including its increased focus on corporate sponsorships and shift to centralized fundraising — as the backdrop for the news last week that Techstars is closing its Seattle accelerator as part of a broader reset.
So where should Seattle's tech community go from here? And what role do startup accelerators serve in the age of AI and remote work? Devore, the founding managing director of the Founders Co-op venture fund, joins us on this bonus episode of the GeekWire Podcast to share his thoughts about what happened, and his optimism about what's next. "I think Seattle is setting itself up for a great moment in its entrepreneurial journey," he says.
RELATED LINKS AND STORIES
David Cohen: Techstars is evolving and growing
Techstars: Techstars 2.0: Supercharging Founder Success
Chris DeVore: What went wrong at Techstars
GeekWire: Techstars Seattle is shutting down as accelerator shifts focus to cities with more VC activity
Marcelo Calbucci: The most successful accelerator cohort ever: How this Techstars Seattle class produced 3 unicorns
GeekWire Podcast: Techstars Seattle’s demise leaves a gap in the startup market
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Techstars Seattle's demise leaves a gap in startup market
Techstars Seattle helped launch more than 160 startups over the past decade, partnered with the likes of Microsoft and Amazon to spark even more startups, and led to the creation of three companies currently valued at more than $1 billion — making it one of the most successful programs in the Techstars network.
Founded in 2006 in Boulder, Colo., Techstars provides fledgling startups with early capital, coaching, mentorship, a chance to pitch to investors, and an opportunity to work for three months in a shared space with other entrepreneurs.
Techstars expanded to Seattle in 2010, and for more than a decade, it worked. And then, this week, it ended. TechStars announced that it's closing its Seattle accelerator as part of a broader restructuring.
So what happened? And what's next? GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper joins the show this week to address those questions.
Related stories
Seattle tech leaders lament departure of Techstars but remain bullish on new opportunities
Techstars CEO responds to former Seattle managing director, tells him to check his facts
Techstars Seattle is shutting down as accelerator shifts focus to cities with more VC activity
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Customer Reviews
Relevant and great
Thoroughly impressed by each episode of the GeekWire Podcast. It’s both relevant and timely, addressing current topics that hit the mark in today’s fast-paced tech landscape. The dialogue is not only engaging but filled with actionable insights. A must-listen for anyone wanting to stay ahead of the curve.
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What Happens in Seattle Matters Everywhere
Good source of tech news for Seattle/The World. What matter here matters everywhere, they say