Greater Seattle Foreign Direct Investment Overview 2025
Greater Seattle Continues to Attract and Generate Global Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a critical role in economic growth, job creation, innovation, and international business expansion. Inbound FDI occurs when companies headquartered outside the United States invest in operations within the Greater Seattle region. Outbound FDI refers to Greater Seattle-based companies investing in business operations and assets abroad.
Both investments strengthen the region’s reputation as a globally connected economy and positions Greater Seattle as a leading destination for international business, innovation, and capital investment.
Inbound Foreign Direct Investment
Inbound foreign direct investment occurs when international companies establish or expand operations in the Greater Seattle region. These investments create jobs, generate capital expenditure, strengthen supply chains, and foster collaboration between global companies and local industries.
Over the past decade, Greater Seattle has attracted a steady flow of inbound foreign direct investment, totaling 231 projects, $6.2 billion in capital expenditure, and more than 15,400 jobs created. This sustained investment underscores the region’s global competitiveness and appeal to international companies across a range of industries.
FDI activity peaked between 2017 and 2018, when both job creation and capital investment reached some of their highest levels of the decade. While investment slowed in 2021, reflecting broader global economic disruptions, the region experienced a strong recovery in subsequent years. By 2024, capital investment rebounded to nearly $628 million, alongside a notable increase in project volume.
Foreign Direct Investment by the Numbers
2025
FDI Projects – 23
Capital Expenditure – $542.6 million
Jobs Created – 1,179
Companies – 19
2015-2025
FDI Projects – 231
Capital Expenditure – $6.21 billion
Jobs Created – 15,483
Total Companies – 205
| 2015-2025 Overview of Inbound Foreign Direct Investment | ||||
| Year | Projects | Capital Expenditure (in millions) | Jobs Created | Companies |
| 2015 | 25 | $923.0 | 1,445 | 25 |
| 2016 | 20 | $308.3 | 1,262 | 20 |
| 2017 | 26 | $790.4 | 1,795 | 24 |
| 2018 | 26 | $911.3 | 2,076 | 25 |
| 2019 | 24 | $458.7 | 1,576 | 22 |
| 2020 | 22 | $814.7 | 1,406 | 22 |
| 2021 | 12 | $152.9 | 685 | 12 |
| 2022 | 15 | $324.6 | 1,482 | 15 |
| 2023 | 17 | $354.9 | 1,088 | 15 |
| 2024 | 21 | $627.9 | 1,489 | 20 |
| 2025 | 23 | $542.6 | 1,179 | 19 |
| Total | 231 | $6,209.3 | 15,483 | 205 |
In 2025, Greater Seattle continued to demonstrate resilience and consistency, with 23 projects generating $542.6 million in investment and supporting over 1,100 jobs. Overall, the decade-long trend highlights the region’s ability to attract and retain international investment, even amid shifting global economic conditions.
In 2025, the following countries (with number of projects) invested in the region: Switzerland (6), Japan (4), South Korea (3), Canada (2), Australia (2), Sweden (1), United Kingdom (1), Netherlands (1), Italy (1), India (1), China (1).
| 2025 FDI Projects into Greater Seattle | ||||||
| Project date | Investing company | Source country | Destination city | Sector | Jobs created | Capital investment (in Millions USD) |
| Jan 2025 | Intrepid Travel | Australia | Seattle | Hotels & tourism | 132 | 2.8 |
| Feb 2025 | Marine Innovation | South Korea | Seattle | Paper, printing & packaging | 47 | 2.1 |
| Feb 2025 | ARM | Japan | Seattle | Semiconductors | 107 | 106.4 |
| Feb 2025 | Comwrap Reply | Italy | Seattle | Software & IT services | 98 | 5.4 |
| Mar 2025 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) | Australia | Seattle | Software & IT services | 139 | 25.7 |
| Mar 2025 | Miura & Partners US | Japan | Seattle | Business services | 18 | 5.8 |
| Mar 2025 | Alloyed | United Kingdom | Seattle | Metals | 79 | 64.5 |
| Apr 2025 | International Workplace Group (Regus) | Switzerland | Bellevue | Real estate | 12 | 2.0 |
| Apr 2025 | Shopify | Canada | Bellevue | Software & IT services | 56 | 11.6 |
| May 2025 | CIRRO | China | Lakewood | Transportation & Warehousing | 104 | 61.8 |
| May 2025 | Kowa | Japan | Frederickson | Pharmaceuticals | 138 | 115.5 |
| May 2025 | Vishwaguru Infotech | India | Redmond | Software & IT services | 25 | 10.0 |
| Jul 2025 | Arcadis | Netherlands | Seattle | Business services | 18 | 5.8 |
| Sep 2025 | Gamer Republic | South Korea | Seattle | Software & IT services | 4 | 0.9 |
| Oct 2025 | International Workplace Group (Regus) | Switzerland | Seattle | Real estate | 12 | 2.0 |
| Oct 2025 | Teeple Architects | Canada | Seattle | Business services | 18 | 5.8 |
| Oct 2025 | AGC Biologics | Japan | Bothell | Biotechnology | 78 | 63.0 |
| Nov 2025 | International Workplace Group (Regus) | Switzerland | Bothell | Real estate | 12 | 2.0 |
| Dec 2025 | Corintis | Switzerland | Bellevue | Semiconductors | 19 | 3.9 |
| Dec 2025 | SK Hynix (Hynix Semiconductor) | South Korea | Bellevue | Semiconductors | 19 | 3.9 |
| Dec 2025 | Volvo | Sweden | Tacoma | Automotive components | 20 | 37.7 |
Leading Inbound Investment Sectors
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Business Services
- Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
- Real Estate
- Semiconductors
- Software and IT Services
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Transportation and Warehousing
Largest Inbound FDI Projects in 2025
By job creation:
Commonwealth Bank of Australia – 139 jobs
Kowa (Japan) – 138 jobs
Intrepid Travel (Australia) – 132 jobs
By capital investment:
Kowa (Japan) – $115.5 million
ARM (Japan) – $106.4 million
Alloyed (United Kingdom) – $64.5 million
A handful of foreign direct investment projects accounted for the largest economic impact in Greater Seattle in 2025. The top three projects by job creation were led by Commonwealth Bank of Australia (139 jobs), Kowa (138 jobs), and Intrepid Travel (132 jobs), reflecting strong employment growth driven by international firms across sectors including software, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.
In terms of capital investment, the largest projects were Kowa ($115.5M), ARM ($106.4M), and Alloyed ($64.5M). These significant financial commitments highlight continued global confidence in the region, particularly in high-value industries such as semiconductors, advanced materials, and life sciences.
Outbound Foreign Direct Investment
Outbound foreign direct investment reflects the global reach of companies headquartered in the Greater Seattle region. These investments support international business growth, strengthen global supply chains, and expand market access for regional companies.
2025
FDI Projects – 106
Capital Expenditure – $33.7 billion
Jobs Created – 144.428
Companies – 29
2015-2025
FDI Projects – 1,681
Capital Expenditure – $222.2 billion
Jobs Created – 531,777
Total Companies – 250
Over the past decade, companies in the Greater Seattle region have made substantial investments abroad, totaling 1,681 projects, $222.2 billion in capital expenditure, and supporting more than 531,000 jobs globally. This sustained outbound activity highlights the region’s role as a major source of global investment and innovation.
| 2015-2025 Overview of Outbound Foreign Direct Investment | ||||
| Year | Projects | Capex (in USD) | Jobs created | Companies |
| 2015 | 105 | $8.7 B | 39,278 | 36 |
| 2016 | 140 | $7.8 B | 29,845 | 42 |
| 2017 | 167 | $9.5 B | 37,743 | 44 |
| 2018 | 167 | $14.0 B | 55,490 | 44 |
| 2019 | 162 | $8.8 B | 52,729 | 53 |
| 2020 | 193 | $18.4 B | 78,978 | 39 |
| 2021 | 236 | $28.5 B | 78,469 | 46 |
| 2022 | 175 | $26.3 B | 32,164 | 39 |
| 2023 | 100 | $22.5 B | 34,151 | 35 |
| 2024 | 130 | $44.0 B | 48,502 | 42 |
| 2025 | 106 | $33.7 B | 44,428 | 29 |
| Total | 1,681 | $222.2 B | 531,777 | 250 |
Outbound FDI accelerated significantly between 2018 and 2021, culminating in a peak of $28.5 billion in capital investment in 2021 alongside a record 236 projects. While project volume and job creation moderated in the following years, investment levels remained strong, with 2024 marking a new high of $44.0 billion in capital expenditure.
In 2025, Greater Seattle-based companies continued to expand internationally, with 106 projects generating $33.7 billion in investment and supporting over 44,000 jobs. Overall, the data reflects a consistent pattern of global engagement, with regional firms actively investing across international markets despite shifting economic conditions.
Top Destinations for Outbound FDI
The top 10 countries that Greater Seattle companies invested in 2024 (with their respective number of projects) are India (14), Canada (10), United Kingdom (10), Japan (7), Germany (6), Australia (5), South Korea (5), Austria (4), Singapore (4), and UAE (4).
Why Greater Seattle Attracts Foreign Direct Investment
Greater Seattle offers a combination of competitive advantages that continue to attract both inbound and outbound investment:
- Global leadership in aerospace, technology, life sciences, clean energy, maritime, and advanced manufacturing
- Highly educated workforce and world-class research institutions
- Direct access to Asia-Pacific markets
- World-class logistics infrastructure including The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Everett, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Paine Field
- Strong innovation ecosystem anchored by global companies and startups
- Proven track record of international business growth and investment attraction
For every inbound FDI project in 2025, Greater Seattle companies launched more than four investment projects abroad, illustrating the region’s outsized role in the global economy and the international reach of its companies. This level of outbound investment reflects the presence of globally competitive companies with headquarters and major operations in the region, particularly in technology, aerospace, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and global business services.
Source: FDI Markets, 2026.
The report was researched and written by Dr. Victoria DePalma, Greater Seattle Partners Research Director.
Other 2025 Greater Seattle Region Reports:
King County Economic Overview 2025
Pierce County Economic Overview 2025
Snohomish County Economic Overview 2025
Greater Seattle Trade Overview 2025
Ready to take advantage of everything Greater Seattle has to offer?