Nordstrom going private in $6.25B deal | How to monetize AI agents

A group of former early leaders at Microsoft are leading Total Neural Enterprises, a new Seattle-area startup aiming to help companies streamline the design and deployment of AI tools. Read more.

How to monetize AI agents: The latest edition of our “Ask the Expert” business advice column features Outreach co-founder and former longtime CEO Manny Medina, who answered a question about pricing AI products. Read more. 

“For the most part, we’re all hat and no cattle. We talk a good game about working together. We don’t.” Michael Schutzler, the newly retired CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), shared advice for the tech community in Seattle and Washington state on the newest episode of the GeekWire Podcast.

A proposed wealth tax from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is sparking controversy within tech and business circles. Read our coverage: 

• Nick Hanauer, critic of income inequality, calls proposed Washington wealth tax ‘impractical’ 

• Washington governor proposes 1% wealth tax on residents and higher tax rate for some businesses  

• Wealth tax proposal in Washington state reignites debate over taxes and tech talent migration

Hot Links:

• The new Kindle Paperwhite is faster, larger, and better than its predecessor, according to one review. (The Verge)

• Seattle has the highest share of its workforce predominantly working from home, compared to other U.S. cities, according to new Census data. (Seattle Times)

• Former Amazon exec Dave Clark, who is leading new Seattle-area supply chain startup Auger, on the best ways to manage capital investments. (HBR; LinkedIn)

• Madrona investors on five themes to watch in AI for 2025. (Aspiring for Intelligence)

• Tech vet Sanjay Parthasarathy has found joy in bringing pro cricket to Seattle. But he believes the tech industry has been slow to highlight the potential joy of AI. (Randomly Accessed Memories)