Startups
Our blueprint for thriving startup ecosystems.
Greater Seattle: A Hub of Innovation, Talent, and Startup Success
Over a century of innovation has made Greater Seattle a magnet for world-class talent and breakthrough ideas. Anchor institutions like UW, Microsoft, and Amazon, which attract top talent and drive innovation, and cross-sector collaboration with strong investment networks, fueling breakthroughs in AI, biotech, aerospace, cleantech, and fintech. Powered by investors, accelerators, and a culture of reinvention, Greater Seattle’s startup ecosystem is setting a model for metro areas worldwide.
Strength in Numbers
Greater Seattle tech startup ecosystem value is $90.8 billion, while global average is $20.4 billion (H2 2022 – 2024); total early-stage funding is $2,885.8 million, while global average is $514.8 million (H2 2022 – 2024); exit amount is $33.3 billion, while global average is $8 billion (2020 – 2024). Source: Startup Genome.
Billion
Invested Venture Capital (2021-2024)
Startup Ecosystems in the World 2020-2024
Concentration of AI Talent in North America
Most Educated Big City in the U.S.
Startups (2015-2024)
Visualizing Seattle’s Startup Ecosystem: From Founders to Investors
Greater Seattle Partners, in collaboration with GeekWire, Microsoft, the Technology Alliance, and the Washington Technology Industry Association, researched and designed a map of Washington, Oregon and British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem.
This map showcases 528 fast-growing startups from the GeekWire 200 list since 2015, revealing the deep connections between founders, employers, universities, investors, and incubators driving success across the region. Explore the Innovate State Digital Map!
Greater Seattle’s Secret (Startup) Sauce
Here in the Greater Seattle region, we have unlocked innovations that are changing the world, and it’s high time we let the world know.
AI Startups Funding in 2025: Who’s Getting the Big Bucks?
Greater Seattle artificial intelligence startups received $679.4 million in 2025 (January – August 31), with the total lifetime funding of $1.5 billion.
Fred Hutch leaders raise $10M for new AI startup aiming to expedite drug discovery
Synthesize Bio, a Seattle-based startup founded by leaders from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, announced $10 million in funding from Madrona Venture Group.
UW’s CoMotion relaunches Seattle fintech incubator with new partner Curinos
The UW’s CoMotion innovation arm announced that it is partnering with data intelligence company Curinos to launch a new fintech incubator.
Plug and Play Expands to Greater Seattle, Bringing $40M Investment to Regional Startups
Greater Seattle continues to attract global innovation leaders, with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play launching two new accelerator programs in the region.
How to Build Startup Ecosystems
Greater Seattle’s blueprint for startup success blends top-tier education, industry leadership, and a culture of innovation. Anchor institutions fuel talent, cross-sector collaboration sparks breakthroughs, and strong investment networks turn ideas into global ventures.
The Foundation: Anchor Institutions & Talent Development
A thriving startup ecosystem starts with anchor institutions, the universities, research centers, and major employers that attract, develop, and retain top talent. These institutions serve as the launchpads where founders gain education, refine expertise, and form critical networks.
In Greater Seattle, institutions like the University of Washington, Microsoft, and Amazon play an outsized role in shaping the region’s entrepreneurial DNA. Here’s how:
- Universities (like UW) provide cutting-edge research, commercialization centers, and talent pipelines that fuel new ventures.
- Major Employers (like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google) offer founders the industry experience, mentorship, and initial funding connections needed to take risks and build startups.
- More than a century of home-grown innovation, including Boeing, T-Mobile, F5, Real Networks, Zillow, Redfin and Expedia.
- Unicorns roam free: regional companies who have achieved over $1B valuations include Outreach, Remitly, Highspot, Icertis, Auth0 and Rover.
- Over 120 “engineering centers.”
- Incubators & Research Labs (like the Allen Institute for AI and Techstars) nurture high-potential startups with funding, workspace, and expert guidance.
The Fuel: Investment, Cross-Sector Collaboration & Support Systems
Startups need great ideas, funding, mentorship, and an environment that encourages cross-sector innovation. Investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders provide the financial backing and strategic guidance that transform concepts into high-growth companies.
Greater Seattle excels in this because of:
- A strong venture capital ecosystem (Madrona, PSL Ventures, Alliance of Angels) that identifies and supports high-potential startups.
- Industry convergence: sectors like AI, biotech, cloud computing, aerospace, and cleantech overlap, creating breakthrough innovations (e.g., AI-powered biotech or green aerospace).
- Corporate engagement: big tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon actively invest in and acquire startups, keeping the flywheel of innovation spinning.
“Greater Seattle Partners plays a vital role in fostering equitable and inclusive economic development by bringing together education, industry and government to spur investment and job growth in our region. The UW is proud to be a founding partner as we work together to nurture a culture of innovation, collaboration and discovery leading to transformational impact here and around the world.”
“In an increasingly competitive, globalized world, we must collaborate with our public and private partners across the region to ensure Snohomish County is best positioned to achieve its economic potential. Greater Seattle Partners leverages the knowledge, experience, and connections from our local business and civic leaders to support business, attract investment, and expand our jobs base.”
“The competitive reality is that other regions are pursuing the same companies and talent as Greater Seattle. For this region to be successful, it must aggressively promote job creation and economic growth. Greater Seattle Partners and its Regional Prosperity Plan will showcase Greater Seattle and the region’s assets to the world.”
Seattle’s Top Tech Startups and Emerging Companies
According to Startup Genome, Greater Seattle is a “top-tier hub for innovation” with an “incredible depth of talent” and an “ideal breeding ground for future unicorns”. From AI and SaaS companies to emerging tech innovators, the region offers the resources, talent, and ecosystem to support the next generation of high-growth tech startups.
To explore the custom map, click the menu icon in the top left corner to view a list of subcategories. Select any category to see relevant companies on the map and click the markers for more details.
Here, we actually believe
it takes a village.
Download Greater Seattle Infographics
Greater Seattle Partners is proud to introduce Uncommon Insights, a new feature where we highlight our region’s key sectors, thriving startup ecosystem, and the Uncommon Thinkers driving innovation forward. We offer downloadable infographics and resources to help you promote your presence in our thriving community.
Accelerators & Incubators
AI2 Incubator & AI House
Cambia Grove
CoMotion Labs
Creative Destruction Lab
Founder Institute
Graham & Walker
Greater Seattle Export Accelerator
Khasm Labs
Maritime Blue
Pioneer Square Labs
Plug and Play
Seattle Foundations
Spaceworks Tacoma
William Factory