Part of the WTIA’s mission is to grow a strong and sustainable workforce, which means we’re passionate about keeping local talent plugged into our state’s technology industry. Every other week we’ll be keeping you connected to Washington’s job market with the latest in local hiring news.

Biotech Startup Kineta Inks Cancer Deal with Pfizer Worth up to $505M

GeekWire | James Thorne | December 17, 2018

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/biotech-startup-kineta-inks-cancer-deal-pfizer-worth-505m/

“Seattle-based biotech startup Kineta today received a leg-up in its efforts to kill cancerous tumors using the immune system. Kineta announced an agreement with drug giant Pfizer that includes $15 million in upfront payments and the possibility of an additional $505 million down the line.

Like other immunotherapies, Kineta’s treatment uses the body’s natural defenses to attack tumors. By convincing tumor cells that they are infected with a virus, the therapy triggers the same virus-fighting RIG-I Pathway that targets the flu…Under the deal, Kineta receives funding and a share of future royalties, and Pfizer gets the exclusive rights to drugs and technology that Kineta develops. Kineta aims to bring a drug to early clinical development within two to three years.

Earlier this year, Kineta signed another multi-million dollar partnership to develop a pain medication that enlists an unlikely hero: snail venom. In April, it joined forces with Genentech to create a non-opioid treatment worth up to $359 million if the project hits certain milestones.”

Learn more about local job opportunities at WTIA member company Kineta.

Female-Centric Coworking Firm The Riveter Raises $15M to Fuel Growth

Xconomy | Jeff Buchanan | December 13, 2018

https://xconomy.com/seattle/2018/12/13/female-centric-coworking-firm-the-riveter-raises-15m-to-fuel-growth/

“The Seattle-based startup, which bills itself as a ‘membership network built by women, for everyone,’ says it has raised $15 million in new funding.

The Riveter, which launched in May 2017, operates coworking spaces and organizes events and workshops for its members and the public. It currently has three locations in its home city and two in Los Angeles, and plans to use some of the proceeds from the new funding round to expand to other parts of the country…In a press release announcing the new funding round, The Riveter says it’s planning a ‘significant expansion across the U.S.’ The organization says it plans to open multiple new locations in 2019, including at least one in Texas.”

Learn more about local job opportunities at The Riveter.

Compass Hiring 100 Engineers for West Coast Hub in Seattle, Invading Zillow and Redfin’s Turf

GeekWire | Nat Levy | December 12, 2018

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/compass-hiring-100-engineers-west-coast-hub-seattle-invading-zillow-redfins-turf/

“Compass, the high-tech brokerage based in New York, has chosen Seattle as the home for its West Coast engineering operations, further boosting the region’s real estate tech cred.

Well-funded Compass is looking to hire at least 100 engineers for the company’s ‘West Region Product and Engineering Campus’ in Seattle. They’ll work on a variety of projects to aid Compass real estate agents, including marketing tech, new media, web and mobile, security, streaming, image and video processing, search, data science and artificial intelligence.

The office, at the co-working space Industrious, is Compass’ first engineering hub outside its hometown of New York and will also be home to senior product and engineering leadership. Compass said it has also leased additional space in downtown Seattle and is ready to bring in talent now.”

Learn more about local job opportunities at Compass.

Apple to Expand Seattle Office to More Than 1,000 Workers

The Seattle Times | Asia Fields and Rachel Lerman | December 13, 2018

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-to-expand-seattle-office-to-more-than-1000-workers/

“Apple is planning to employ more than 1,000 workers in Seattle by 2022 as part of a national expansion, the company announced Thursday.

Apple has an engineering office in downtown Seattle that focuses on machine learning technology, but Apple spokesman Colin Johnson wouldn’t say how many employees are there now or give details on the expansion plans.

The company employs more than 1,000 employees across Washington state, where it also has six retail stores and a Vancouver engineering team.

The company’s big news Thursday was that it would build a $1 billion campus in Austin, but Apple also mentioned expanding sites in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City.”

Learn more about local job opportunities at Apple.

Indeed Inks Lease for 10 Floors of New 2+U Tower in Seattle

Puget Sound Business Journal | Marc Stiles | December 19, 2018

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2018/12/18/indeed-inks-lease-for-10-floors-of-new-2-u-tower.html

“Shyft Technologies, a Seattle-based startup that has developed a software platform for retail and hospitality workers, and their employers, says it has raised $6.5 million in new funding to further develop its product.

Two venture capital firms based in the Seattle area, Ignition Partners and Madrona Venture Group, led the Series A round, Shyft says. The startup says it has raised a total of $8 million in outside financing since launching in 2015.”

Learn more about local job opportunities at Indeed.