GeekWire - A new look at Microsoft’s startup years

• Listen to a special GeekWire Podcast about Microsoft’s early years with historian Margaret O’Mara of the University of Washington. 

• Learn more and register here for our Microsoft @ 50 event, March 20, 2025, in Seattle.

• Microsoft @ 50 is an independent GeekWire editorial project supported by Accenture.

Amazon is launching a discount storefront called “Amazon Haul” which will feature products from fashion to electronics priced at $20 and under, with shipping times from China of up to two weeks. The move comes as the e-commerce giant faces increased competition from retailers such as Shein, TikTok Shop and Temu. Read more.

The GeekWire Gala, Seattle’s geekiest holiday party, is set for Dec. 12 at Showbox SoDo. The night will feature networking, music, dancing, food and drinks, karaoke, games and more. Dust off your tux, gown or best holiday sweater and get your early bird tickets today.

• The Gala will also be the place where we honor the region’s “Uncommon Thinkers” — innovators who are changing the way we work, live and play. The first in our series of honoree profiles features Uri Shumlak, co-founder of Zap Energy and professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Read more.

Born out of a 2006 poker game aimed at getting founders and investors together, Seattle’s Startup Haven is going strong with more than 2,500 members across 18 cities. Its latest expansion is a new partnership to establish a physical “headquarters” of sorts for members that will provide access to special events, co-working access and more. Read more.

Hot Links:

• Amazon is shutting down Freevee, the ad-supported video streaming service originally launched under the IMDb brand and eclipsed by Prime Video. (Variety)

• Amazon is investing $110 million to spur AI research at universities using the company’s Trainium chip. (Amazon)

• Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer is keeping his eyes open for potential strategic acquisitions, especially in mobile gaming. (Bloomberg)

• Amazon is telling its employees with disabilities that it's implementing a more rigorous process for vetting requests to work from home. (Bloomberg)

• Thousands of firearm sales in Washington state are on hold during an outage affecting court computer systems used for background checks. (Washington State Standard)

• Seattle-area tech consulting firm Bluehawk Consulting has been acquired by North Carolina-based The Select Group. (The Select Group)