GeekWire - Five new startups to watch

Startup radar: From software to sustainability to space, we’re spotlighting another crop of five early stage tech companies in Seattle. Read more.

Longtime tech startup investor Julie Sandler plans to transition away from her role as managing director at Pioneer Square Labs, the Seattle venture firm that runs an investment fund and startup studio. She’ll move into a venture partner role at PSL starting next year while also exploring “some new adventures.” Read more.

There’s a new indie game developer in Seattle called Snackbar Studio. Rand Fishkin, co-founder of SparkToro, raised $2.15 million with his wife, Geraldine DeRuiter, and others to launch the effort and build a first game set in a magical, alternate-reality, 1960s Italy. Read more.

Hot Links:

• Return to office hammers household budgets for some with high childcare and commuting costs. (The Seattle Times)

• Microsoft’s Brad Smith is optimistic about the Trump administration’s pick of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — a former Microsoft exec — for Secretary of the Interior, due to the potential to boost data centers and energy production. (The Information)

• Bugs in Microsoft’s big Windows 11 24H2 update are turning out to be “a nightmare” for some gamers, and the company has halted the update for PCs with Ubisoft titles installed. (BetaNews)