Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of May 16, 2021.
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Most popular stories on GeekWire
How Melinda French Gates has ‘transformational potential’ to boost equality in VC, tech and beyond
Melinda French Gates created Pivotal Ventures in January 2015 with so little fanfare that news of the effort came out after GeekWire accidentally stumbled upon its website. … Read More
Gates’ divorce drama: Did Bill Gates’ alleged affair prompt board resignations?
Bill Gates resigned from the Microsoft board after allegations surfaced that the company co-founder had an inappropriate, years-long sexual relationship with an employee, the Wall Street Journal reported late Sunday. … Read More
Amazon rebrands Amazon Go Grocery to Amazon Fresh, closes Seattle-area store near Microsoft HQ
The news: Amazon is renaming its Amazon Go Grocery brand to “Amazon Fresh” and closing its Amazon Go Grocery store in Redmond, Wash., near Microsoft’s headquarters, GeekWire has learned. … Read More
Twilio to acquire Seattle business texting startup Zipwhip for $850M
Twilio, a communications software company with Seattle roots, is acquiring Seattle-based business-texting startup Zipwhip for approximately $850 million in a cash and stock deal, the companies announced Monday. … Read More
Microsoft’s Satya Nadella taps Judson Althoff to lead new global org, as Jean-Philippe Courtois shifts role after 37 years
Microsoft will combine its Global Sales and Marketing Organization and Worldwide Commercial Business under Judson Althoff, further positioning the eight-year Microsoft executive as a key leader under CEO Satya Nadella. … Read More
Amazon will end Prime Now as standalone service, integrate speedy deliveries into main app and site
With Amazon offering increasingly faster delivery times — not just one-day or same-day but sometimes a matter of hours — the difference between Amazon.com and its Prime Now speedy delivery service has become more and more narrow. … Read More
With interest in electric trucks on the rise, Rivian gets set for business in Seattle area
Rivian, the California-based electric vehicle startup that some call the “Tesla of Trucks,” is setting up a showroom in Seattle and a service center in nearby Bellevue for this year’s scheduled rollout of its R1T all-electric pickup truck and R1S sport utility vehicle. … Read More
2021 GeekWire Awards revealed: Big winners, surprise guests, and the best in Pacific NW tech
It’s been a tough year for people everywhere. … Read More
Amazon may launch healthcare business line with at-home COVID test and other diagnostic services
Amazon is reportedly considering launching a new line of business that expands on the tech giant’s interests around healthcare. … Read More
Seattle startup Zap Energy lands $27.5M to build commercial fusion reactor without magnets
New funding: Zap Energy raised a $27.5 million Series B round to fuel development of its fusion reactor that “can become one of the key enablers for a sustainable global energy future,” according to its CEO Benji Conway. … Read More
from GeekWire https://www.geekwire.com/2021/geekwire-weekly-roundup-2021-05-16/