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Interest rates remain high, tech IPOs are still sparse, and uncertainty looms around regulatory action and funding constraints.
But startup leaders are generally optimistic about the future, according to a survey of CEOs of companies ranked on the GeekWire 200, our list of the top privately-held tech startups in the Pacific Northwest.
More than 40 leaders responded to the survey, which provides insight into the sentiment and priorities shaping the technology landscape in 2025.
Key focus areas for this year include revenue growth, profitability, AI integration, and efficiency improvements, according to the survey conducted last month.
Joshua Jensen, CEO of house inspection startup Inspectify, said he’s optimistic based on fewer headwinds than in years past and some promising M&A signals in the real estate tech sector.
“That all being said, we remain heavily focused on sustainable growth and reaching profitability,” he said. “I still operate under the assumption that I won’t be able to raise any more capital moving forward so our best path to build a longstanding business is to become default alive.”
A large majority of CEOs (80%) said they were somewhat or very optimistic about the overall economic climate.
“In Q3 and especially Q4 of last year, it felt like we’ve turned a corner,” one CEO said. “Budgets are still getting scrutiny, but people are investing in growth again, versus just being conservative and waiting out the storm.”
Some CEOs expressed worry about the new administration and broader global tensions, as well as interest rates staying elevated.
“We are living in a highly volatile and noisy macroeconomic environment with trade and tariff wars,” said Rathna Sharad, CEO of FlavorCloud.
But startups such as FlavorCloud, which helps e-commerce companies ship products around the globe, are finding opportunity amid the chaos.
“Overall, it is an exciting moment in time for us as a company as it shines a spotlight on complexities of cross border DTC & B2B commerce and what we solve for,” said Sharad, who won “Startup CEO of the Year” honors at the GeekWire Awards in May.
FlavorCloud CEO Rathna Sharad accepts the GeekWire Award for Startup CEO of the Year. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)
Ophir Ronen, CEO of CalmWave, said rising interest rates and a cautious venture market present challenges for early-stage companies.
But CalmWave’s sector — healthcare — remains resilient and essential, Ronen said. The startup aims to make the hospital a quieter place by using software to help reduce alarms from devices attached to patients in the ICU.
“Hospitals are increasingly comfortable and searching for AI-driven solutions to boost productivity and efficiency — exactly where CalmWave excels,” Ronen said.
Some other key takeaways from the survey:
Many CEOs pointed to efficiency gains from AI and automation tools, reducing the need for large headcount increases. But a majority said they are still planning for moderate hiring growth.
Most leaders are bullish about M&A activity accelerating in 2025 and nearly half expect startup valuations to increase.
The survey also shed light on return-to-office trends. Hybrid work continues to be the de-facto policy for most companies. About a third are fully remote while just three startups are in the office each day. “A hybrid model works well for us — it balances collaboration and focus while giving our team the flexibility they need to excel,” one CEO said.
The GeekWire 200, presented by JPMorganChase, provides a snapshot of the region’s startup landscape, and highlights companies that are gaining traction.
The ranking is grounded in both publicly available data — including LinkedIn employee counts, Facebook followers, and Moz domain authority — as well as editorial judgment from the GeekWire news team, based on factors including recent fundings and layoffs, and our own insights from covering the region’s technology startups.
Check out our latest update to the GeekWire 200 list here.
