Seattle Area is ‘Cloud Capital’ of the World

Puget Sound Business Journal | Rachel Nielsen | February 4

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2016/02/seattle-area-is-cloud-capital-of-the-world.html

“What city is the center of cloud computing technology? The answer: Seattle, according to technology and venture capital executives who addressed a cloud computing forum Wednesday. “Seattle is not only ‘cloud city,’ but it’s the cloud capital of the world,” Matt McIlwain, managing director at Madrona Venture Group, told the audience at the Puget Sound Business Journal forum…The Seattle area also boasts hundreds of startups and small cloud companies t hat rely on cloud computing for their products, such as applications that store data in the cloud.”

 

Seattle Job Market Among Country’s Hottest

Puget Sound Business Journal | Rob Smith | February 4

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2016/02/seattle-job-market-among-country-s-hottest.html

“Only three cities across the country had a hotter job market than Seattle last year. CareerBuilder and Emsi compared actual job growth to what would have been expected based on national job growth trends. That statistical analysis found that Seattle added 78,082 jobs in 2015. Almost half of those exceeded expected job growth expectations…All told, Seattle employed 1,981,802 people last year.”

 

Seattle Teacher-Training program to Expand to Four More Districts

Seattle Times | John Higgins | February 3

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/seattle-teacher-training-program-to-expand-to-four-more-districts/

“A teacher-apprenticeship program launched in Seattle Public Schools three years ago will soon expand to four South King County school districts, focused on training middle- and high-school teachers who specialize in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Aspiring teachers will serve yearlong apprenticeships with experienced teachers in the Highline, Renton, Federal Way or Tukwila School districts while taking coursework leading to a master’s degree. The Alliance for Education, a nonprofit representing local business and philanthropies, announced Wednesday that it has received $90,00 grant from the Boeing Co., to help fund the expansion.”

 

Bellevue: The Perfect Place to Launch Your Startup Journey

GeekWire | James Henderson | January 29

http://www.geekwire.com/sponsor-post/bellevue-the-perfect-place-to-launch-your-startup-journey/

“Bellevue has a large and fast-growing presence of technology startup companies. Names like Apptio, OfferUp, Smartsheet, MPIRICA, and many others are charting the path for fast-growing startups on the Eastside. To assist these emerging entrepreneurs we’ve developed programs like Next Generation Bellevue, designed to strengthen the creative and entrepreneurial environment. It allows entrepreneurs, small businesses, learners, and knowledge workers to have the tools they need to create and grow the next generation of businesses…Bellevue is open for businesses. We give entrepreneurs a unique, friendly place to turn their vision into reality. I strongly encourage you to learn more about what Bellevue has to offer.”

 

In the Global Space Race, Seattle is the New Hub

Forbes | Saadia Pekkanen | January 29

http://www.forbes.com/sites/saadiampekkanen/2016/01/29/in-the-global-space-race-seattle-is-the-new-hub/#b250549513cc

“Seattle is becoming a Silicon Valley for space. The presence of a critical and growing mass of commercial players contributes to this perception. Although it is usually downplayed, the significance of their activities for shaping military space prospects should not be underestimated. The commercial perception is fueled by the dazzling fame of Seattle billionaires, with their entrepreneurial ambitions in space. Jeff Bezos has made history. His company, Blue Origin, is beginning to make good on its promise to have rockets “Launch. Land. Repeat.” On January 22, 2016 the New Shepard booster became the first to achieve this vertical feat twice. This booster may pave the way to that rare beast – a fully reusable rocket that will be a game-changer for future launch vehicles worldwide.”

 

How Seattle is Becoming a Worldwide Hub for Virtual Reality Technology Development

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | January 28

http://www.geekwire.com/2016/seattle-becoming-worldwide-hub-virtual-reality-technology-development/

“Seattle is already a tech and startup hub. But perhaps less known and talked about is how the city is becoming a center for companies and researchers developing virtual reality technology…On the investment side, one of the region’s top VC firms is betting big on virtual reality. When Madrona Venture Group raised its most recent $300 million fund in June, it said VR was one area of particular interest.”