Following the lights in the Light Rail Tunnel, GeekWire 200 Update: Seattle and Pacific NW startups raise big funding rounds amid pandemic, and more from this week’s Seattle in the Spotlight.

Following the Lights in the Light Rail Tunnel

Seattle Times | Ellen M. Banner | August 20

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/following-the-lights-in-the-light-rail-tunnel/

“On Wednesday, politicians and members of the media were led on a tour through the light rail tunnel that will connect the East Main and Bellevue Downtown stations when the East Link line begins operation in 2023.  Three years after excavation began, the 2,500-foot-long tunnel structure is complete. Track and systems installation will continue.  “When East Link light rail service begins, eastbound trains will enter the tunnel north of the East Main station at 112th Ave. SE and Main Street and travel approximately 1/3 of a mile under 110th Ave. NE, turning east near NE 6th St. to emerge at the future Bellevue Downtown Station,” according to a news release.”

GeekWire 200 Update: Seattle and Pacific NW Startups Raise Big Funding Rounds Amid Pandemic

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | August 19

https://www.geekwire.com/2020/geekwire-200-update-seattle-pacific-nw-startups-raise-big-funding-rounds-despite-pandemic/

“The leading privately-held companies across the Pacific Northwest are raising giant swaths of cash and increasing their valuations despite the ongoing economic crisis…Venture capitalists are pouring money into Pacific Northwest tech companies at unprecedented levels. The number of deals and dollars invested in the first half of 2020 — $2.3 billion into 135 deals — significantly outpaced the number in 2019 and 2018, according to a GeekWire analysis.”

University of Washington Students Create Sustainable Food for the Future

KING 5 | Chris Cashman | August 19

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/university-of-washington-students-sustainable-food-for-the-future-project/281-7406cc95-e428-4d0f-a9fd-248bafe0a2c2

“Sustainability has become increasingly relevant, so a group of University of Washington students hatched an idea that’s focused on a greener 2050 through innovative foods. Austin Hirsh graduated from the UW in May, and is now riding the momentum of his student project to reimagine one of his favorite things. “I drink a fruit smoothie every day so that was a good place to start,” said Hirsh.

Hirsh said he was struck by the findings of Project Drawdown, an international coalition of researchers, businesspeople, and climate change experts that identified reducing food waste as the number one best way to prevent global warming of 2ºC by the year 2050.”