UW Still Pursuing New Computer Science Building Despite Budget Setback

GeekWire | Todd Bishop | July 2

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/uw-still-pursuing-new-computer-science-building-despite-budget-setback/

“The University of Washington’s Computer Science & Engineering Department is pressing ahead with plans for a second building on campus, despite a setback in the budget passed by the Washington state Legislature this week. The UW had requested $40 million from the state, with the remainder of the $110 million project to be paid for through private fundraising, including an initial $10 million commitment from Microsoft. Ultimately, however, the budget provided a total of $32.5 million in funding, and $15 million of that was designated to come from a UW Building Fund that was intended for maintenance, not capital projects.”

 

As More Tech Start-Ups Stay Private, So Does the Money
New York Times | Farhad Manjoo | July 1
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/02/technology/personaltech/as-more-tech-start-ups-stay-private-so-does-the-money.html?ref=technology&_r=0
“Though luminaries of the tech industry have always expressed skepticism and even hostility toward the finance industry, tech’s dirty secret was that it looked to Wall Street and the ritual of a public offering for affirmation — not to mention wealth. But something strange has happened in the last couple of years: The initial public offering of stock has become déclassé. For start-up entrepreneurs and their employees across Silicon Valley, an initial public offering is no longer a main goal. Instead, many founders talk about going public as a necessary evil to be postponed as long as possible because it comes with more problems than benefits.”

 

Inside Sea-Tac’s Newest Elite Lounge Aimed at Tech, International Travelers

Puget Sound Business Journal | Steve Wilhelm | July 1

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2015/07/01/inside-sea-tacs-newest-elite-lounge-aimed-at-tech.html

“When it comes to high-flying travelers, Seattle this week entered the small circle of six high-rolling U.S. cities. We know this from Tuesday’s opening of a “Centurion Studio” lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It’s a benefit offered exclusively to holders of American Express platinum and Centurion cards. Seattle becomes the sixth city to offer the lounges, a list that also includes Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Miami, New York and San Francisco.”

 

Keynote: Closing the Tech Diversity Gap
US News | Kimberly Leonard | July 1
http://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2015/07/01/keynote-closing-the-tech-diversity-gap
“Technology companies are beginning to invest heavily in seeking out diverse talent, with the understanding that gender, racial and ethnic differences can result in a better business, improved products and a stronger workforce. For people in human resources this can sometimes be a challenge – not just to bring in employees who represent various backgrounds, but to keep them in the field and help them thrive.”

 

WA Tech Group Happy to Trade R&D Incentive for Education, for Now

Xconomy | Benjamin Romano | June 30

http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2015/06/30/wa-tech-group-happy-to-trade-rd-incentive-for-education-for-now/

“Despite failing to renew high-technology tax incentives for research and development, the $38.2 billion two-year budget passed by Washington lawmakers this week represents “an amazing compromise,” according to the head of the state’s tech trade group. ‘A lot of the things that need to be done are being addressed,” says Michael Schutzler, CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association. That includes “everything from transportation to school funding to a lot of infrastructure that we need as a society in order for this to be a healthy, growing region for the next couple of decades.’ “

 

IT Spending Reports Show a Tech Market in Transition
Information Week | Thomas Claburn | June 30
http://www.informationweek.com/cloud/software-as-a-service/it-spending-reports-show-a-tech-market-in-transition/d/d-id/1321124
“Gartner is predicting that worldwide spending on information technology will decline 5.5%, while Forrester has revised its US tech market projections down slightly. The strong US dollar is weakening global spending on information technology (IT), according research firm Gartner. Worldwide IT spending will reach $3.5 trillion this year, representing a 5.5% decline from 2014, Gartner said.”