With Seattle Tech Week around the corner, here are 10 facts about the community that reveal why so many industry giants, startups, and investors choose Washington:
- Startups in Seattle. In 2024, Seattle was home to more than 1,400 startups. More than 25% of these were software or SaaS companies that served a spectrum of industries, including AI, blockchain, cloud computing, healthcare, and cybersecurity.
- Seattle is a great place to launch your tech career. Seattle was listed as the fastest-growing market for early-career tech talent compared to cities like Austin and San Francisco in 2023.
- The tech sector generated an estimated $134 billion locally in 2023. The sector accounted for about 29% of the total local economy, despite tech jobs making up just 13% of the workforce.
- Lightning struck twice. Microsoft and Amazon were both founded in Seattle in 1975 and 1995, respectively, which propelled Seattle’s reputation as an epicenter of tech innovation.
- Cloud computing started in Seattle. Amazon Web Services launched in Seattle in 2006, effectively starting the cloud computing revolution and changing the trajectory of technology as we know it today.
- Revolutionizing cancer treatment. Seattle is a hotspot for pioneering cancer immunotherapy, a breakthrough treatment method that uses the body's immune system to combat cancer. Washington’s ecosystem of research institutions and high-tech companies complement each other, accelerating scientific discoveries and putting them into practical healthcare applications quicker.
- Biotech companies are bringing in investors. In 2023, 16 Seattle biotech companies raised $1.17 billion in funding, averaging $73.17 million per company, outpacing global biotech hubs like San Francisco and Singapore.
- Aerospace innovation flies high in Seattle. Washington has been a hub for aerospace innovation since Boeing planted its roots in Seattle in 1916. Today, Seattle remains a launchpad for satellite invention, including advanced navigational, telecommunication, and weather-monitoring satellites.
- The “Hollywood of games.” From AAA title developers and major platforms to indie studios, Seattle has built a thriving culture and economy around video games. In the U.S., Washington’s video game industry is second only to California, and brought in $12 billion to the local economy in 2022.
- The Emerald City gets greener. From clean energy to recycling technology, Seattle is emerging as a leader in green technology, with local startups focusing on sustainable innovation to combat environmental challenges.