Blue Origin vets unveil fusion energy startup

Blue Origin vets unveil fusion energy startup: Brian Riordan (above, left) and Robin Langtry worked on rocket propulsion systems at Blue Origin. But the existential and increasingly visible impact of climate change has brought their passions back to land. They are the co-founders at Avalanche Energy, a Seattle startup taking a less conventional approach to fusion energy. “There’s no point in doing a space company,” Langtry said, “if the Earth is on fire.” Read the story. 

Amazon CEO on Time cover: Andy Jassy is spotlighted as part of the magazine’s annual “100 Most Influential Companies” list. Seattle startup Rec Room also made the list.

Investor wants Athira CEO out: A billionaire backer of the Seattle biotech company is seeking two board seats and said the current chief "is not the right CEO for Athira." Read more.  

Biotech vet on his new cancer-fighting startup: Philip Greenberg has been trying to stop cancer for decades. With Affini-T Therapeutics, and $175 million in new funding, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center investigator may finally have his chance. Read more.

Cybersecurity tips in wake of Ukraine conflict: Critical Insight, a Seattle startup focused on incident detection and response, hosted a panel on implications of the conflict in Ukraine on the cybersecurity industry. Read the key takeaways.

Vote for Deal of the Year: “Deal mania” was a term we used to describe the frenetic pace of IPOs, acquisitions, and funding rounds across the Pacific Northwest technology scene over the past year. Ahead of the upcoming GeekWire Awards, cast your vote.

Thinkific lays off 20% of workforce: The Vancouver, B.C.-based online education company cut 100 employees to “increase efficiency and lower costs.”