Meet Seattle’s newest seed fund | Zillow CEO bullish despite housing market challenges

There’s a new Seattle-based investment firm looking to support software startups across the Pacific Northwest that are just getting off the ground. Breakwater Ventures is coming out of stealth after launching last year. Founded by former SeaChange investors Peter Mueller (above, left) and William Finney, the pre-seed and seed firm has raised $10 million for its first fund and is already deploying cash. Read more.

Seattle is a software engineering talent epicenter: The city ranks first in the U.S. and third globally when it comes to “elite” job candidates, according to a new report by Seattle startup Karat. Read more.

Microsoft and OpenAI issued a new research report detailing how nation-state attackers affiliated with China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran are using ChatGPT and other AI tools. OpenAI said it worked with Microsoft to identify and terminate accounts associated with five state-affiliated groups. Read more. 

A former Expedia Group employee has been charged with voyeurism for allegedly using hidden cameras to spy on people using restrooms at the travel giant’s Seattle offices. A specially trained, electronics-detecting dog was involved in the investigation. Read more.

A challenging housing market is still curbing growth for real estate companies such as Zillow Group. But Zillow CEO Rich Barton remains bullish this year — here’s why.

❤️ It’s not too late to get a date — and AI can help: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Seattle startup Yoodli’s speech analysis platform can act as a dating coach, providing practice and feedback for crucial conversations. Read more.

Hot Links:

• Cheeseburger lover Bill Gates is investing in companies that can produce fake fats and oils that taste better and are better for the planet. (Gates Notes)

• Microsoft is introducing new AI solutions in the cloud to help organizations accelerate their progress in sustainability efforts. (Microsoft)

• Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is urging the FTC to safeguard location data from abortion clinic visitors as part of his investigation into a company’s bankruptcy. (The Hill)

• A new episode of the TiE Seattle podcast dives into the entrepreneurial journey of Vikram Chalana, founder of Seattle-area startup Pictory.AI. (LinkedIn)

Thanks for subscribing to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great day. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com; and reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com.