Microsoft jumps ahead of Google in quantum race

• Related: Microsoft researchers debuted a new generative AI model designed for video games that has potential to help revive classic titles. Read more.

Airbnb is pushing back against a proposed 6% tax on short-term rental bookings in Washington state. The legislation is aimed at helping to fund affordable housing, especially in tourism-heavy communities where vacation rentals have proliferated. Read more.


“Chilling, dramatic, horrific.” Dr. Tom Lynch, president and director of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, offered that assessment of how proposed cuts to overhead funding by the Trump administration would land at the institution as he led Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) on a tour and meet-and-greet with researchers. Read more.  

Lumotive, a Bill Gates-backed startup that manufactures semiconductor chips tailored for 3D sensors, raised $45 million. 

• AheadComputing, a Portland, Ore.-based CPU technology startup led by former Intel execs, raised $21.5 million in a seed round.

• SingleFile Technologies, a legal tech startup based in Seattle that helps companies file compliance reports with government agencies, raised $9 million.

• See all our latest funding data here.

A Seattle-based team that worked on the popular online action video game “Marvel Rivals” was dismissed by its parent company, NetEase Games. Read more.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has “grave concerns” about what the Trump administration might have in store for the city — a different tone from his more diplomatic approach at a tech event in November. Read more.

Last call for GeekWire Awards nominations! Act now and get your picks in for the leading entrepreneurs, innovators, non-profit leaders and more across Pacific Northwest tech ahead of our annual event in Seattle. Submit nominations and join us April 30.

 Hot Links:

• Amazon is shutting down “Inspire,” a TikTok-style video and photo feed in its mobile app to help shoppers discover products from content created by influencers, brands, and other customers. (TechCrunch)

• Amazon is quietly discontinuing, effective Feb. 26, a longstanding feature that allows Kindle users to download ebooks to their computers. (ZDNET)

• Veeam, the Kirkland, Wash.-based data protection and ransomware recovery company, is among the companies raising funds to help cash out existing investors in lieu of going public in a volatile market. (New York Times)

• Amazon worked quietly behind the scenes to support efforts to secure the release by Hamas of an AWS employee, Sasha Troufanov, and his family. (About Amazon)

• The race is on between Apple and Amazon to upgrade their respective voice assistants, Siri and Alexa. But in the age of AI, it’s a race to not be embarrassed, and it keeps getting delayed. (Spyglass)

• Amazon’s Eero wifi and networking business, acquired by the tech giant in 2019, announced a series of new products as it marked its 10th anniversary. (BusinessWire)