Seattle’s consumer-hardware ambitions are once again colliding with economic reality. The struggles of Glowforge and Rad Power Bikes echo a long regional history of big raises, high hopes, and hard landings — shaped by the pandemic, VC, and the unforgiving nature of building real products. 

GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook recorded this conversation for the purpose of providing the audio to an AI tool that turned the conversation into a written column that was edited and reviewed before publication. Check it out here.

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Rad Power Bikes faces possible shutdown as it tries to survive ‘significant financial challenges’

Seattle&rsquo;s consumer-hardware ambitions are once again colliding with economic reality. The struggles of Glowforge and Rad Power Bikes echo a long regional history of big raises, high hopes, and hard landings &mdash; shaped by the pandemic, VC, and the unforgiving nature of building real products.&nbsp;
GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook recorded this conversation for the purpose of providing the audio to an AI tool that turned the conversation into a written column that was edited and reviewed before publication. <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/seattles-long-history-of-hardware-heartbreak-big-raises-high-hopes-hard-landings/">Check it out here</a>.
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<li data-start="94" data-end="401"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/glowforge-hits-restart-after-restructuring-co-founders-acquire-key-assets-of-laser-engraver-startup/">Glowforge hits restart: After restructuring, co-founders acquire key assets of laser engraver startup</a></li>
<li data-start="94" data-end="401"><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/rad-power-bikes-faces-possible-shutdown-as-it-tries-to-survive-significant-financial-challenges/">Rad Power Bikes faces possible shutdown as it tries to survive &lsquo;significant financial challenges&rsquo;</a></li>
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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.

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