Will any Seattle startups go public this year? | Amazon cuts health care jobs

Remember the tech IPO? Not a single tech company from the Seattle region went public via traditional initial public offering in the past two years, according to GeekWire’s M&A tracker, amid a slowdown in the broader market. But this tradition from yesteryear might just be back in vogue in 2024, according to experts who track initial public offerings. So which Seattle tech companies are most likely to make the leap, if any at all? Read more and check out the list.

Microsoft at the Super Bowl: Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant is a product in its own right, not just a feature of its search engine. That evolution is the big shift reflected in Microsoft’s ad for the big game, unveiled today. Read more and watch the ad.

Amazon cut hundreds of jobs at its health care units, One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy, in the tech giant’s latest bid to slash costs. The layoffs follow 27,000 cuts last year, and recent reductions across games, music, Twitch, Prime Video and MGM Studios. Read more.

• More on layoffs: Additional cuts at Glowforge; DocuSign trims 6% of workforce; and our layoff tracker.

Jeff Bezos plans to sell Amazon stock this year for the first time since 2021, according to a new filing that sheds fresh light on Bezos’ move from Seattle to Miami and a controversial capital gains tax in Washington state. Read more.  

Connect with leaders through a GeekWire event: Award ceremonies. Rooftop BBQs. Half-day Summits. And custom VIP events. GeekWire’s slate of 2024 events will help your company connect with key business leaders, drive sales, develop thought leadership and boost brand recognition. Learn more about sponsoring one of the GeekWire events by contacting our team at events@geekwire.com.

Hot Links:

• Microsoft is warning that anti-Israel cyber operations by Iran could be a preview of how the country targets U.S. elections this year. (The Register)

• Amazon is testing safety features for Flex gig drivers after several incidents in which drivers were shot or threatened with guns. (The Information)

• The nonprofit Portland Women in Technology (PDXWIT) is shutting down, citing a decline in corporate funding for sponsorships. (Silicon Florist)

• A housing advocacy group is seeking a 5% “excess compensation” tax on employers who pay any Seattle-based employee over $1 million annually. (Crosscut)

• Seattle interactive storytelling startup Revere XR is among finalists pitching concepts to the NFL Players Association as part of Super Bowl LVIII festivities. (LinkedIn)

Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. — GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop, todd@geekwire.com; and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.