A new No. 1 on the GeekWire 200:Bellevue-basedTemporal Technologies, whose software keeps AI agents running reliably, has replaced fusion company Helionas No. 1 on the GeekWire 200after raising $550 million at a $12.55 billion valuation this month. Six of the top 10 companies build advanced machinery, from fusion reactors and rockets to drones, radar and weed-zapping robots. The Fall 2026 update also adds several notable newcomers, many of them new ventures founded by longtime tech leaders.
- See thefull GeekWire 200for the complete ranking.
Washington’s next aerospace era:The state is solidifying its position at the center of AI defense manufacturing asShield AIannounced plans fora massive Seattle-area hubto build its autonomous X-BAT fighter jet. Tapping into the region’s deep aerospace and tech talent, the San Diego-based defense tech company plans to create 4,000 jobs in Washington state by the early 2030s.
- Check out Shield AI’ssci-fi-worthy X-BAT autonomous fighter jet, designed with vertical takeoff and a mobile launch trailer that can operate from highways, remote outposts or standard cargo ships.
Washington space sector soars:A new report finds thatthe state’s space industry now generates $8.1 billionin direct economic output, nearly doubling its impact for the second time since 2018. Driven largely by satellite manufacturing and high-paying tech jobs, the sector now supports more than 34,000 direct and indirect jobs statewide.
When the agent is the customer:Most business software will end up running behind AI agents, and many apps will lose pricing power as a result, Microsoft executiveCharles Lamannasaid atMadrona’s IA40 Summit in Seattle.“Agents are very harsh customers,” he said.
A rebrand and new cash:Pay-i has rebranded as Ascerta and landed $18 millionto expand beyond AI cost tracking into measuring overall business ROI. Founded by Microsoft veterans, the Bellevue, Wash.-based startup connects to enterprise tools like Microsoft Copilot and Claude Code to give companies visibility into adoption, hidden costs and actual performance outcomes.
Kanu’s big debut:Kanu AI has emerged from stealthwith $11.7 million to expand its platform that turns routine employee workflows into custom enterprise software. Led by Trilogy Equity Partners, the funding will help the 10-person, Seattle-based startup grow its team as it scales across major cloud marketplaces.
Fraxiongoes shopping:Seattle-based spending management platformFraxion has acquired Yellow Dog Software, an inventory tracking provider for hospitality, sports and retail businesses. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
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Hot Links
- Seattle’s budget now rides on Amazon’s stock price, according to a city economic report cited by PubliCola. Ten companies pay 75% of the JumpStart payroll tax, and more than half of that money now goes to covering the city’s general fund shortfall. (PubliCola)
- “It is safer to fail quietly than to succeed publicly in Seattle.”Seattle Metro Chamber CEO Joe Nguyễn spent time in San Francisco examining what’s changed under Mayor Daniel Lurie — and argues in this 2,061-word essay that Seattle’s problem isn’t a lack of programs or resources, but a lack of executive leadership willing to make decisions and demand results. (Seattle Metro Chamber)
- Amazon’s new Fire TV Stick 4Kcosts $59.99, comes with Alexa+ built in, and gets to shows faster than a similarly priced rival, the company says. A redesigned remote lets people find key buttons by feel, and Amazon cut its streaming-stick lineup to three models. (Amazon)
- The City of Redmond earned an honorable mentionat the 2026 Electric Innovation Awards in recognition of its policy efforts to advance electrification, green building, and affordable transit-oriented housing. (City of Redmond)
- Sophia Space signed a preliminary agreementwith space infrastructure company Redwire to develop data centers in orbit, pairing the startup’s modular computing tiles with Redwire’s solar power and thermal systems. (PR Newswire)
- Amazon’s smart glasses could capture several thousand imagesduring a delivery driver’s typical shift, raising new privacy concerns as the company rolls out the technology to thousands of drivers. (Bloomberg)
- AI “makes nuclear weapons look like nothing.”Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once again expresses his deep worries about artificial intelligence getting wildly out of control without proper regulation in this 73-minute podcast. (The Ezra Klein Show)
- Seattle-based Phaidra is partnering with Aligned Data Centersto deploy its AI agent technology across Aligned’s data center portfolio and improve operating efficiency. (Phaidra)
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