The University of Washington recently celebrated the new headquarters of CoMotion, an organization that supports startups and technology commercialization. The new offices are located in Condon Hall and offer beautiful views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle. The building is part of an ambitious redevelopment project that aims to promote research, collaboration, and community on the UW campus. François Baneyx, UW vice provost for innovation and director of CoMotion, views the organization and its new space as essential components of the innovation ecosystem.
The open house for the new CoMotion offices also kicked off the UW’s inaugural Innovation Month, which includes 65 events around the campus. The layout of the new offices includes 48 unassigned desks, event rooms, online meeting rooms, a conference room, private offices, and a kitchen. The renovation of the space cost $3 million and incorporates elements of the Pacific Northwest, including Coast Salish art, outdoor photos, and greenery with live plants and moss walls. The office also features logos of some of the 285 companies that have launched from CoMotion and a display case highlighting patents secured by the program.
CoMotion’s staff previously worked in the Blume building but moved to Condon Hall in January. The building already housed CoMotion Lab’s Technology Incubator, Startup Hall, and VC firm Founders’ Co-op. Techstars Seattle also shared the space until their departure earlier this year. The BECU FinTech Incubator, located in Startup Hall, is coming to an end, and CoMotion is working on agreements with other organizations to replace Techstars and BECU. The UW’s Information School will also be moving into multiple floors of Condon Hall.
CoMotion Labs operates two additional incubators in Fluke Hall, focused on life sciences and hardware, spanning sustainability, energy, health, and consumer technologies. CoMotion handles the university’s technology transfer process, assisting researchers in launching startups and securing patents for their discoveries. The program is open to entrepreneurs both within and outside of the university. The new CoMotion offices feature elements of green design to reflect the Pacific Northwest, blending nature-themed photo murals with views of Portage Bay and Capitol Hill.
Overall, the University of Washington’s CoMotion organization and its new headquarters play a vital role in supporting startups, technology commercialization, and innovation on campus. The open house for the new offices marked the beginning of the UW’s Innovation Month, showcasing the organization’s commitment to fostering research, collaboration, and community. The space’s design incorporates elements of the Pacific Northwest, including Coast Salish art and greenery, reflecting the region’s values and aesthetics. CoMotion’s focus on technology transfer and support for entrepreneurs, both within and outside the university, highlights its importance in driving innovation and economic growth in the region.
