Pacific Science Center tries to survive | Flexport sues Seattle startup Freightmate

“The institution’s future is not certain,” CEO Will Daugherty said of the 63-year-old Pacific Science Center in Seattle, where budget challenges and deferred upkeep have leaders looking for creative solutions. PacSci wants to raise $19 million to turn its popular Maker & Innovation Lab into the venue’s star attraction while it also considers the sale of some valuable real estate holdings in the shadow of the Space Needle. Read more.

Satya Nadella is a fan of multimodal AI interfaces — so much so that it has completely changed the way he "listens" to podcasts. “The best way for me to consume podcasts is not to actually go listen to it but to have a conversation with the transcript on my commute using my Copilot,” the Microsoft CEO said on a recent podcast.

Logistics giant Flexport is suing Seattle-area startup Freightmate, alleging that two former employees stole thousands of confidential files before leaving and launching their own company. Read more.

Portal Space Systems cut the ribbon on a new development lab and headquarters in Bothell, Wash., where the company plans to test and build its solar thermal propulsion system for improving spacecraft thrust. Read more.

Sen. Maria Cantwell said the Trump administration’s tariff policies will be especially harmful to Washington state and called for a “technology NATO” to counter China. Read more. 

The University of Washington’s CoMotion innovation arm is relaunching a fintech incubator, partnering with data intelligence company Curinos to bring back a program that supported 18 startups before ending in 2023. Read more.

Ask the Expert: If you’re comfortable but bored at a big tech company, how do you know when it’s the right time to join or launch a startup? Tech executive, entrepreneur and author Rebekah Bastian shares what risks to consider in our latest business advice column. 

Hot Links:

• Amazon Web Services is undercutting Nvidia on price in a bid to sell its AI chips. (The Information)

• Microsoft is an anchor investor in an Al Gore-led effort that raised $175 million to fund nature-based climate solutions such as preserving forests and carbon friendly agriculture. (Bloomberg)

• Amazon’s new devices climate tech accelerator is now accepting applications. (LinkedIn; Amazon)