This week on GeekWire, the top stories included T-Mobile settling a $31.5 million data protection and cybersecurity case with the FCC, as well as news about radio chemists at TerraPower finding opportunities in radioactive waste. Additionally, Amazon cloud leader Matt Garman expressed support for bringing workers back to the office five days a week to maintain the company’s culture of innovation. J Allard joined Amazon as a product vice president, and Jon Jones was named the new head of AWS Startups. OpenAI’s $6.6 billion fundraising round was also a hot topic of discussion at a recent summit in Seattle.
In the settlement with the FCC, T-Mobile will pay $31.5 million to resolve investigations into data breaches that affected millions of U.S. customers. Amazon executive Matt Garman voiced support for bringing workers back to the office full-time to uphold the company’s culture of innovation. J Allard, a former Microsoft Xbox leader, joined Amazon as a vice president of product, adding to the tech giant’s leadership team. Additionally, Jon Jones was appointed as the global head of AWS Startups, showcasing Amazon’s continued focus on supporting and growing startup companies.
TerraPower, a nuclear power startup, saw a new opportunity nearly a decade ago in radioactive waste from Cold War weapons. This discovery led to potential advancements in radiochemistry and nuclear technology, highlighting the innovative work being done in the energy sector. OpenAI’s $6.6 billion fundraising round made headlines, with investor Brad Gerstner of Altimeter Capital discussing the news at a summit in Seattle. This significant investment will likely fuel further advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Erin Dallin’s experience of locking his bicycle near a Seattle light-rail station in 2021 exemplifies the need for improved bike infrastructure in cities like Seattle. More investments in bike parking and accessibility are essential for encouraging sustainable transportation options. Seattle’s startup ecosystem could benefit from more angel investors willing to take risks on early-stage companies. These investors play a crucial role in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Transitioning from cold calls to warm introductions can also help startups establish valuable connections and partnerships in the business community, ultimately fostering growth and success.
