Zulily’s downfall: How the Seattle online retailer soared, sank, and shut down

Zulily’s downfall is a story of a brand that lost its identity and struggled to maintain a competitive moat, years after the company attracted millions of customers with an innovative e-commerce model aimed at moms. It also raises questions about Regent, the little-known Los Angeles private equity firm that acquired Zulily in May and said it planned to grow the retailer in new markets — but then put the company in liquidation last month. Read more. 

Capital gains tax stands in Washington: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a state ruling that found the new tax to be lawful. Opponents of the tax argued that it amounted to a state income tax, and it sparked controversy within the tech industry because it targets stocks, a key part of compensation for many startup founders and their employees. Read more.

Microsoft vs. OpenAI? Microsoft's new $20/month AI chatbot subscription, Copilot Pro, is priced the same as OpenAI's existing ChatGPT Plus subscription, with similar capabilities — illustrating the potential for the partners to compete over the long run. Read more.

Kent, Wash.-based PowerLight Technologies says it’s joined a team headed by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture to design a power beaming system that might someday charge up robots on the moon. Read more.

Rover acquisition clears regulatory hurdle: The $2.3 billion deal between Blackstone and the Seattle-based pet sitting giant still needs approval from its stockholders and adoption of the merger agreement. Read more.

Meet the six women featured in Pacific Science Center’s STEM exhibit: The orange statues are an eye-catching way to learn about the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and math as part of a “Science for Everyone” display. Read more.

Hot Links:

• “Quiet firing” at Amazon: Some employees fear the tactic, in which workers are pushed out in a variety of ways, is increasing at the company. (Business Insider)

• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told the World Economic Forum that the tech industry must simultaneously consider the unintended consequences of new technologies alongside any benefits. (X)

• Bellevue, Wash.-based nutpods, maker of a non-dairy coffee creamer, has been acquired by MPearlRock, a strategic partnership between MidOcean Partners and PearlRock Partners. (Business Wire)