Consumer startup CEOs face off on GeekWire’s Elevator Pitch

Consumer startup CEOs face off on GeekWire’s Elevator Pitch: In the latest episode of our startup competition, these leaders tout their companies in the 32 seconds it takes to ride to the top floor of Seattle’s Smith Tower. Above, from left: PairTree CEO Erin Quick, Spot Tot CEO Robin Waterman, and Welcome Home CEO Ashley Michael. Watch the episode.

Haptic glove maker grabs $23M: HaptX is in touch with the hype surrounding the metaverse and will use the new funds to fuel commercialization of its products for VR, robotics and more. Read more.

Google, Amazon workers protest cloud deal with Israel: “I don’t want to work for a military contractor,” said one Google Cloud engineer who was among those speaking out in Seattle about a $1.2 billion Israeli government and military contract known as Project Nimbus.

Meet the new CEO of Washington Research Foundation: Tom Daniel, former chairman of the University of Washington’s Department of Biology, will lead the organization which helps commercialize and license tech from the state’s universities and research institutions. Read the Q&A.

You’ve got mail — from Amazon sellers: The e-commerce giant is giving third-party sellers a series of new marketing tools, including the ability to send emails to customers who’ve made repeat or recent purchases, or spent large amounts with specific sellers over time.

Workplace management startup acquired: Seattle-based Worksphere, which sells software to help employers manage how workers book desks and use physical office space, has been acquired by its competitor Envoy.

Seattle investment bank lands unique deal: Cascadia Capital is boosting its cash balance through a rare move with a private equity firm. Read more.

California AG sues Amazon: The antitrust lawsuit accuses the tech giant of forcing third-party sellers and suppliers to enter into “anticompetitive agreements on price.” Read more.

Thanks for reading and have a great day. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com, and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.