This week, we go inside the GeekWire Awards, our annual recognition of the top people, companies and innovations in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, which drew a sold-out crowd to the Showbox Sodo on Thursday May 9 in Seattle. We talk with finalists about AI, the economy and key trends in their industries, and we hear from some of the winners on stage during the program.

RELATED
Photos: Inside the GeekWire Awards, with the big winners, musical numbers and surprise guests
GeekWire Awards 2024 revealed: Winners bask in momentum of AI and potential of region

This week, we go inside the GeekWire Awards, our annual recognition of the top people, companies and innovations in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, which drew a sold-out crowd to the Showbox Sodo on Thursday May 9 in Seattle. We talk with finalists about AI, the economy and key trends in their industries, and we hear from some of the winners on stage during the program.
RELATED
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/photos-inside-the-geekwire-awards-with-the-big-winners-musical-numbers-and-surprise-guests/">Photos: Inside the GeekWire Awards, with the big winners, musical numbers and surprise guests</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/geekwire-awards-2024-revealed-winners-bask-in-momentum-of-ai-and-potential-of-region/">GeekWire Awards 2024 revealed: Winners bask in momentum of AI and potential of region</a></li>
</ul>

GeekWire brings you the week's latest technology news, trends and insights, covering the world of technology from our home base in Seattle. Our regular news podcast features commentary and analysis from our editors and reporters, plus interviews with special guests.

GeekWire reporters John Cook, Todd Bishop and guests talk about the latest tech news and trends.

GeekWire

Inside the GeekWire Awards: What's next for AI, the economy, and startups

Recorded live at the 2025 GeekWire Awards in Seattle, this episode features industry leaders navigating a shifting tech and political landscape. Amid celebrations of AI breakthroughs, startup milestones, and community-building, guests discuss deeper concerns: capital flight, regulatory headwinds, and what the region needs to retain its innovation edge.

Featured on the show:
Ambika Singh, founder and CEO of Armoire (Workplace of the Year winner)


Joseph Williams, Washington State Department of Commerce (Public Policy Champion for Innovation)


Emer Dooley, Creative Destruction Lab, University of Washington (Geeks Give Back honoree)


Laura Ruderman, CEO of the Technology Alliance


Aviel Ginzburg, co-founder at Foundations (Geeks Give Back honoree)


Anand Subbaraj, CEO of Zuper (CEO of the Year finalist)

Related coverage: 
GeekWire Awards 2025 revealed: Community ‘alive and well’ at annual celebration of best in tech
Photos: Inside the GeekWire Awards, where it was ‘game on’ for a night of networking and more

Presented by Astound Business Solutions, with category sponsors BECU, Baker Tilly, JLL, WTIA, Alltech, Wilson Sonsini, and First Tech.

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop.

Recorded live at the 2025 GeekWire Awards in Seattle, this episode features industry leaders navigating a shifting tech and political landscape. Amid celebrations of AI breakthroughs, startup milestones, and community-building, guests discuss deeper concerns: capital flight, regulatory headwinds, and what the region needs to retain its innovation edge.
Featured on the show:
<ul data-start="595" data-end="1067">
<li data-start="667" data-end="771">Ambika Singh, founder and CEO of Armoire (Workplace of the Year winner)</li>
<li data-start="667" data-end="771">
Joseph Williams, Washington State Department of Commerce (Public Policy Champion for Innovation)
</li>
<li data-start="772" data-end="869">
Emer Dooley, Creative Destruction Lab, University of Washington (Geeks Give Back honoree)
</li>
<li data-start="870" data-end="920">
Laura Ruderman, CEO of the Technology Alliance
</li>
<li data-start="921" data-end="1005">
Aviel Ginzburg, co-founder at Foundations (Geeks Give Back honoree)
</li>
<li data-start="1006" data-end="1067">
Anand Subbaraj, CEO of Zuper (CEO of the Year finalist)
</li>
</ul>
Related coverage:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/geekwire-awards-2025-revealed-community-alive-and-well-at-annual-celebration-of-best-in-pnw-tech/">GeekWire Awards 2025 revealed: Community &lsquo;alive and well&rsquo; at annual celebration of best in tech</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/photos-inside-the-geekwire-awards-where-it-was-game-on-for-a-night-of-networking-and-more/">Photos: Inside the GeekWire Awards, where it was &lsquo;game on&rsquo; for a night of networking and more</a></li>
</ul>
Presented by Astound Business Solutions, with category sponsors BECU, Baker Tilly, JLL, WTIA, Alltech, Wilson Sonsini, and First Tech.
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop.

Innovation in Turbulent Times: Voices from the GeekWire Awards

On this special episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we break down a public clash between Amazon and the White House over tariffs, transparency, and politics.

After a report from Punchbowl News suggested Amazon would start displaying the cost of President Trump’s tariffs on product prices, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a “hostile and political act” during a press briefing — saying she had just spoken to the president about it.

Amazon responded by clarifying that the idea had come from a small team behind its Amazon Haul discount storefront but was never approved and “not going to happen.” Meanwhile, CNN reported that Trump personally called Jeff Bezos to complain.

Related links and content

GeekWire:‘Not going to happen’: Amazon responds to White House barb over purported tariff transparency plan

Punchbowl News:Amazon to display tariff costs for consumers

Reuters, 2021:Amazon partnered with China propaganda arm

CNN's Alayna Treene on X: "Scoop: Trump called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Tuesday morning to complain about reports that his company was considering displaying the cost U.S. tariffs next to prices for certain products on its website, two senior White House officials told @CNN."

Amazon statement: "The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products. This was never approved and is not going to happen.”

GeekWire Podcast:How Amazon is adapting to the TikTok generation, and what it says about the state of Prime

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop

 

On this special episode of the GeekWire Podcast, we break down a public clash between Amazon and the White House over tariffs, transparency, and politics.
After a report from Punchbowl News suggested Amazon would start displaying the cost of President Trump&rsquo;s tariffs on product prices, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a &ldquo;hostile and political act&rdquo; during a press briefing &mdash; saying she had just spoken to the president about it.
Amazon responded by clarifying that the idea had come from a small team behind its Amazon Haul discount storefront but was never approved and &ldquo;not going to happen.&rdquo; Meanwhile, CNN reported that Trump personally called Jeff Bezos to complain.
Related links and content
GeekWire: <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/amazon-responds-to-white-house-criticism-over-displaying-tariff-related-costs/">&lsquo;Not going to happen&rsquo;: Amazon responds to White House barb over purported tariff transparency plan</a>
Punchbowl News: <a href="https://punchbowl.news/archive/42925-am/#__amazontodisplaytariffcostsforconsumers__">Amazon to display tariff costs for consumers</a>
Reuters, 2021: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/amazon-partnered-with-china-propaganda-arm-win-beijings-favor-document-shows-2021-12-17/">Amazon partnered with China propaganda arm</a>
CNN's <a href="https://x.com/alaynatreene/status/1917243432528998855">Alayna Treene on X</a>: "Scoop: Trump called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Tuesday morning to complain about reports that his company was considering displaying the cost U.S. tariffs next to prices for certain products on its website, two senior White House officials told @CNN."
Amazon statement: "The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products. This was never approved and is not going to happen.&rdquo;
GeekWire Podcast: <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2024/how-amazon-is-adapting-to-the-tiktok-generation-and-what-it-says-about-the-state-of-prime/">How Amazon is adapting to the TikTok generation, and what it says about the state of Prime</a>
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop
&nbsp;

White House and Amazon clash over tariff transparency

On this week’s GeekWire Podcast: Microsoft sees a future where humans manage fleets of AI agents — promising to fundamentally change the way companies are run and work gets done. Plus, we dive into the story of Chainguard, the $3.5 billion cybersecurity startup proving that a fully remote company can scale fast without a physical office. And we explore how AI is reshaping everyday life, from travel planning to home repairs.

Related stories

Meet your new AI teammate: Microsoft sees humans as ‘agent bosses,’ upending the workplace: Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index envisions a future where employees manage AI agents, fundamentally reshaping organizational structures.

Chainguard doesn’t have an office. Here’s how the $3.5B cybersecurity startup makes remote work: A look at how Chainguard successfully operates as a fully remote company, including intentional communication and periodic in-person gatherings.​

With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop and editor Taylor Soper. Edited by Curt Milton.

On this week&rsquo;s GeekWire Podcast: Microsoft sees a future where humans manage fleets of AI agents &mdash; promising to fundamentally change the way companies are run and work gets done. Plus, we dive into the story of Chainguard, the $3.5 billion cybersecurity startup proving that a fully remote company can scale fast without a physical office. And we explore how AI is reshaping everyday life, from travel planning to home repairs.
Related stories
<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/meet-your-new-ai-teammate-microsoft-sees-humans-as-agent-bosses-upending-the-workplace/" data-start="230" data-end="441">Meet your new AI teammate: Microsoft sees humans as &lsquo;agent bosses,&rsquo; upending the workplace:</a>&nbsp;Microsoft&rsquo;s 2025 Work Trend Index envisions a future where employees manage AI agents, fundamentally reshaping organizational structures.
<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/chainguard-doesnt-have-an-office-heres-how-the-3-5b-cybersecurity-startup-makes-remote-work/" data-start="1480" data-end="1701">Chainguard doesn&rsquo;t have an office. Here&rsquo;s how the $3.5B cybersecurity startup makes remote work:</a> A look at how Chainguard successfully operates as a fully remote company, including intentional communication and periodic in-person gatherings.​
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop and editor Taylor Soper. Edited by Curt Milton.

Inside the GeekWire Awards: What's next for AI, the economy, and startups

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