Secretive new startup focuses on off-road autonomous vehicles

A new University of Washington spinout led by machine learning and robotics experts is developing off-road autonomous vehicle technology.

• "Overland AI believes that autonomy is not just for roadways and warehouses,” said UW professor Byron Boots, who co-founded the startup with fellow researchers that are part of a UW team competing in a DARPA program to create off-road self-driving tech. We tracked down more details about the secretive new company. Read more. 

Microsoft gave layoff notices to another 689 people at its Seattle-area headquarters and nearby cities, bringing the total number of layoffs by the company in the region over the past two months to 2,184.

• Microsoft is one of numerous tech companies to make layoffs in recent months, including Facebook parent Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce, in addition to many startups. 

More layoff news:

• Meta is reportedly set to lay off thousands of employees as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg. 

• Seattle and Philadelphia area-based healthcare company Accolade is cutting its workforce and closing or reducing some facilities. Read more. 

Wildfire reforestation startup DroneSeed changed its name and acquired California’s largest tree seed supplier.

• The Seattle company, which launched in 2016 and uses large drones to disperse seeds across thousands of acres, is now known as Mast Reforestation. Read more.

Who is Melinda French Gates? “Jeopardy” fans knew the answer when the Pivotal Ventures founder showed up to present a category on the show.

• French Gates’ appearance on Monday came during a semifinal round of an ongoing High School Reunion Tournament and featured clues about “pivotal women.” Read more.

The Riveter added a new chief product officer with the recent acquisition of a freelance work marketplace platform that was geared toward moms.

• The Seattle-based company, which pivoted from its co-working space model during the pandemic, acquired Durham, N.C.-based Allobee and hired Brooke Markevicius. Read more.