In the past week, some of the most popular stories on GeekWire include reports by the National Transportation Safety Board that found imperfections in the carbon-fiber hull made for OceanGate’s Titan submersible. Additionally, OctoAI, a Seattle software startup, has been acquired by chip giant Nvidia. Karl Stanley, who has completed over 2,000 dives in submersibles he built himself, was invited to test dive in OceanGate’s Titan sub in the Bahamas. Tricia Duryee, a well-known technology journalist from Seattle, passed away in August. Alaska Airlines experienced an IT outage causing flight delays at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Microsoft announced new security initiatives, making security its top priority after outlining reforms to address cybersecurity breaches earlier this year.
Further, Smartsheet agreed to be acquired by private equity firms Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners in an $8.4 billion deal. F5 is laying off employees from its marketing-related content production team. Amazon’s mandate for employees to return to the office five days per week is causing discontent among the majority of employees, potentially leading some to consider finding new work. Seattle-based Zin Boats is developing an electric boat that promises to outperform others in terms of speed, power, and range on lakes and waterways.
The National Transportation Safety Board reports revealed imperfections in the carbon-fiber hull of OceanGate’s Titan submersible, as well as differences in hull behavior after a loud bang was heard at the end of a 2022 dive. OctoAI, a software startup in Seattle, has been acquired by Nvidia, a chip giant. Karl Stanley, known for his numerous dives in self-built submersibles, was invited for a test dive in OceanGate’s Titan sub in the Bahamas. Tricia Duryee, a respected technology journalist from Seattle, passed away in August. Alaska Airlines faced an IT outage leading to flight delays and a ground stop request at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Microsoft announced new security initiatives, making security its top priority following cybersecurity breaches earlier this year.
In other news, Smartsheet accepted an $8.4 billion acquisition offer from private equity firms Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners. F5 is reducing its workforce by laying off employees in its marketing-related content production team. The mandate for Amazon employees to return to the office five days per week has caused dissatisfaction among the majority of employees, potentially prompting some to seek alternative employment. Seattle-based Zin Boats is developing an electric boat designed to surpass others in terms of speed, power, range, and more on lakes and waterways.
The NTSB reports highlighted flaws in the carbon-fiber hull of OceanGate’s Titan submersible, as well as changes in hull performance following a loud noise during the end of a dive in 2022. Seattle software startup OctoAI has been acquired by Nvidia to enhance generative AI model development. Karl Stanley, known for over 2,000 dives in self-built submersibles, tested OceanGate’s Titan sub in the Bahamas. Tricia Duryee, a prominent technology journalist from Seattle, passed away in August. Alaska Airlines faced flight delays and requested a ground stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport due to an IT outage. Microsoft revealed new security initiatives as a top priority following cybersecurity incidents earlier this year.
Smartsheet agreed to be acquired by private equity firms in an $8.4 billion deal. F5 is laying off employees from its marketing content production team. Most Amazon employees are dissatisfied with the mandate to return to the office five days a week, with many considering leaving their positions. Seattle-based Zin Boats is developing an electric boat expected to outperform competitors in speed, power, range, and other features. Overall, these stories shed light on the latest updates in technology and startups, showcasing a mix of acquisitions, layoffs, security developments, and innovations in various industries.
