Startups
Our blueprint for thriving startup ecosystems.
Over a Century of Innovation and World-Class Engineering Talent
Our success comes from key ingredients: world-class 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
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)
Innovate State – Washington’s Connected Innovation System
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.
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 more than great ideas—they need 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.
Map of Leading Startups
Greater Seattle is a “top-tier hub for innovation” with an “incredible depth of talent” and an “ideal breeding ground for future unicorns,” – Startup Genome.
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