Microsoft, Google invest in Seattle clean energy startup | AI meets Instagram and TikTok

LevelTen lands $65M: Microsoft and Google are among the investors in a Series D round for Seattle-based LevelTen, which describes itself as the world’s largest online marketplace connecting buyers, sellers, advisors and financiers of clean energy projects. Read more.

AI meets Instagram and TikTok: Markable.AI, a startup with offices in Bellevue and Spokane, has found its niche serving top creators on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms with its AI-powered workflow automation technology. Fresh off a new funding round, Markable is launching a new $100 million ad fund for creators with one of its investors. Read more.

A new report out of New York City shows the initial impact of controversial minimum pay regulations for DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers. Seattle passed similar legislation earlier this year. Read more.

Rising energy demand projections, partly driven by the AI boom, were a topic of discussion at a summit in Seattle that included Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Ron Wyden. Read more.

VR entertainment center coming to Bellevue: In what looks like a futuristic bowling alley, a new company called Mirra plans to open its “social entertainment venue” this summer. Read more.

The India Visa Application Center has opened in Seattle, adding another link in a growing connection between the Emerald City and India — which includes various tech ties. Read more.

Hot Links:

• Dirty diaper: Selling returned products as new is a growing problem on Amazon. (Bloomberg)

• UK regulators are investigating Microsoft’s hiring of staff from Inflection AI. (The Verge)

• Amazon Prime Day kicks off today and is expected to drive a record online spending week in the U.S. (Axios)

• Microsoft researchers developed an experimental AI model called SpreadsheetLLM. (SiliconANGLE)

• Seattle biotech startup Monod Bio released a new research tool in what’s being called a milestone for biology and computer science. (LinkedIn)

• Boredom is the “dominant” feeling for teens on Instagram, according to a new University of Washington study. (UW News)