How the Tech Industry Is Redesigning the Future Workplace

The BBC | Padraig Belton | May 1

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32523448

“First, the technology sector gave us Google’s bean bags and Facebook’s feted ping-pong tables. Now these companies are raising jousting skyscrapers into the Silicon Valley skyline. Facebook has just this month moved into new headquarters designed by Frank Gehry, designer of Spain’s Guggenheim Museum. Its chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, describes it as the largest open-floor plan in the world. Atop it lies a nine-acre rooftop park. Google, Amazon, and Apple are also creating their own new colossal headquarters.”

 

Seattle Startup Tune Opens 8-bedroom House, with Free Rent, for Women Studying Computer Science

GeekWire | Taylor Soper | Apr. 30

http://www.geekwire.com/2015/seattle-startup-tune-opens-an-8-bedroom-house-with-free-rent-for-women-studying-computer-science/

“If you’re a woman studying computer science at the University of Washington and need a place to live — for free — there’s a new option on the market for you. As a way to promote the advancement of women in technology, Seattle mobile marketing analytics startup Tune is hosting an 8-bedroom house near the UW campus called Tune House that offers a place to live for women pursuing a degree in computer science and/or information technology. Tune, which is renting the house, will cover housing costs, weekly groceries, and provide a MacBook to each student for the entire school year starting on Sept. 20 of this year through June 30, 2016.”

Applications are due by June 19^th

 

Every Company Now a Technology Company: Latest Round

Forbes | Joe McKendrick | Apr. 30

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2015/04/30/every-company-now-a-technology-company-latest-round-of-mergers-and-aquisitions-confirms-it/

“There’s more evidence that every organization — whether they are in services, manufacturing or healthcare — is becoming a technology company as well, and this trend is accelerating. With the rise of cloud, Software as a Service, and now, the Internet of Things (IoT), more organizations — in all types of businesses — recognize they are evolving into technology and data companies. So they are creating both strategic and tactical partnerships to try to make the most of this evolution. That’s one of the takeaways from EY’s (formerly Ernst & Young) glimpse at first-quarter technology mergers and acquisitions M&A data.”

 

15 Washington Companies are Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists

Puget Sound Business Journal | Becky Monk | Apr. 30

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/04/15-washington-companies-are-entrepreneur-of-the.html

“Accounting firm Ernst & Young has revealed the Pacific Northwest finalists for its 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year award program. Executives from Washington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska companies were eligible, and 15 Washington companies have advanced as finalists in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards competition for the Pacific Northwest.”

 

U.S. Tech Firms Increase EU Lobbying Efforts

Wall Street Journal | Tom Fairless | Apr. 29

http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-tech-firms-increase-eu-lobbying-efforts-1430307641

“Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and others have poured money into lobbying efforts in Brussels in recent years, seeking to influence new European Union legislation on issues ranging from data protection to copyrights, and to fight legal battles with EU regulators—and each other. The companies are directly targeting EU institutions, including the bloc’s executive arm and Parliament, and are also seeking to influence policy makers through several interest groups.”

 

New York City’s Future Workforce Will Be Code Literate Thanks to These Educational Initiatives

Forbes | Katheryn Thayer | Apr. 27

http://www.forbes.com/sites/katherynthayer/2015/04/27/new-york-citys-future-workforce-will-be-code-literate-thanks-to-these-educational-initiatives/

“Employers, government offices, and community organizations are starting to see demand might soon eclipse the city’s local supply of qualified tech employees. In response, public and private sector organizations are rising to the challenge of training the next generation of tech talent through accessible, equitable tech education.”