Why former Amazon exec Dave Clark moved back to Seattle

From Dallas to Seattle, with a startup: The news today about former Amazon Consumer CEO Dave Clark's new startup offers another take on the value of in-person work, and the relevance of geography. Clark moved back to the Seattle area from Texas to launch the company, due to the supply chain expertise and talent in the region. The startup, Auger, is currently on the hunt for office space — with $100 million in funding for hiring, acquisitions, and initial development of its tech platform. (Above: Clark launches Amazon's delivery program in Seattle in 2018.) Read more.

Smartsheet unveiled its first major redesign in a decade, and also released new integration with Amazon Q Business, the generative AI-powered assistant for enterprises. Read more. 

After his parents were robbed of $34,000 by scammers pretending to be a family member in trouble, Seattle entrepreneur Brian Roundtree co-founded a new startup aimed at older adults that uses generative AI to intercept fraudulent calls to cell phones, and to detect calls revealing sensitive information. Read more.

Amazon is releasing NFL-branded Echo Pop smart speakers for all 32 teams, starting with the Seahawks and 49ers in time for a “Thursday Night Football” matchup this week. Read more.

Washington state’s CleanTech Alliance will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to launch a hub for carbon-focused businesses. Read more.

Calling all Uncommon Thinkers: We’re seeking nominees for our awards program honoring Pacific Northwest inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs who are transforming industries and driving positive change throughout the world. Individuals will be celebrated at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle on Dec. 12. Submit a nomination today!

Hot Links:

• OpenAI execs say Microsoft isn’t moving fast enough to provide computing power. (The Information)

• A Bill Gates-backed power startup is proposing a novel way to capture energy from the wind. (Bloomberg)

• Worldwide PC shipments rose a modest 1% in Q3, but the end of life for Microsoft’s Windows 10 in October 2025 could lift the market in the year ahead. (Canalys) 

• LinkedIn is going deeper on games following the May launch of its first trio of puzzlers, releasing a new game called Tango on Tuesday. (CNBC)

• A $100 million program to install EV chargers across Washington state is not enough to ease charging worries. (Crosscut/Cascade PBS)

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