Seattle’s new self-driving regulations | Tableau CEO Mark Nelson steps down

Tech companies and automakers that want to test self-driving cars on Seattle streets now have to obtain a permit showing they comply with safety and liability regulations.

• A new permitting program is in response to safety concerns citizens raised after companies such as Amazon announced plans to test self-driving cars in the city. Read more. 

Mark Nelson is stepping down as CEO of Tableau Software.

• The departure comes less than two years after Nelson took the helm of the Seattle-based data visualization company owned by Salesforce. Read more.

Longtime Amazon exec Jeff Blackburn is retiring after 25 years.

• Blackburn first joined the company after helping with its 1997 IPO and most recently led an entertainment unit that includes Prime Video, Games and more. Read more.

A former Starbucks and Amazon exec is leading a stealthy new NFT search and discovery startup.

• Thred, led by tech vet Ben Straley, recently raised $3.5 million. Read more. 

Singapore fintech startup Aizen acquired Bellevue, Wash.-based Kurvv.

• Founded in 2019, Kurvv sells AI tools that businesses can plug into their machines to predict future equipment breakdowns. Read more.