Innovate State

Washington State is a global innovation hub where great ideas meet world-class talent, committed investors, and an entrepreneurial mindset that transforms industries.

Washington State is a global innovation hub where great ideas meet world-class talent, committed investors, and an entrepreneurial mindset that transforms industries. This map highlights the dynamic ecosystem behind the 528 fast-growing startups that have made the "GeekWire 200" list since 2015, showcasing the deep interconnections between founders, employers, universities, investors, and incubators that fuel their success. These companies, located in the "Cascadia" region (Washington State, Oregon, and British Columbia), continue to impact their communities' economy and culture of innovation.

The unique convergence of industries that sparks breakthrough innovation sets our region apart. From AI revolutionizing enterprise software to cleantech reshaping sustainability, life sciences pushing biotech boundaries to robotics and aerospace redefining the future, Washington is where industries collide, cross-pollinate, and create the next wave of global game-changers. Anchor institutions such as the University of Washington, Microsoft, and Amazon have an outsized impact on our state’s global leadership in innovations dedicated to people, planet, and productivity.