Impact Series – Page 3 of 13

Microsoft helps build data hub to track disabilities as part of effort to close ‘disability divide’

There are lots of sources for global data on economic indicators, population sizes, infectious diseases, sustainability — the list goes… Read More

Testing a new time-traveling VR experience that explores sea level rise in Seattle

The Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington have created a virtual reality experience for teens and families that… Read More

Seattle U students tackle real-world computer and engineering projects for Amazon, F5 and others

Technology moves so fast, it can be difficult to teach computer science and engineering students the very latest in their… Read More

Meet the Seattle-area teen geeks that just won awards at an international science fair

The bleak and all-too-common spectacle of roadkill was upsetting to Vedant Srinivas — particularly when his uncle and cousin’s beloved… Read More

On visit to Seattle, Iceland’s president has a message for Amazon and Microsoft

Don’t forget about the less common languages when building digital devices and software. That was the message to local tech… Read More

‘Incredible impact’: This researcher is bolstering STEM students and inspiring university DEI efforts

Dr. Tam’ra-Kay Francis was feeling a little nervous. The confession was a surprise given all she has accomplished. Francis, who… Read More

Kelp need help: Paul Allen’s foundation, enviros and entrepreneurs step up to save an essential seaweed

Kelp is cool. Some varieties of the ribbony seaweed can grow up to two feet a day. They form “marine… Read More

Coinstar’s Jens Molbak wants to teach innovators and entrepreneurs a new way of doing business

Jens Molbak‘s decision to build Coinstar — a startup that would become a billion-dollar international coin recycling business — was… Read More

CEO of new Seattle-area homelessness agency shares progress, opportunities for tech support

It’s been a year since Marc Dones was hired to lead King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCHRA), a newly created… Read More

Inside Bill Gates’ multi-faceted org that wants to help save the world from climate destruction

It started with a November 2015 announcement by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates along with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg… Read More

First-of-its-kind stormwater ‘heat map’ lights up pollutants fouling waters in Washington state

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us familiar with the idea of a deadly threat that spreads invisibly. Polluted stormwater has… Read More

Seattle tech workers with Ukrainian roots help build website to ease donation process for aid groups

The prospect of sending money to somehow help Ukraine deal with the mounting consequences of the Russian invasion can seem… Read More

Team behind high-tech murder hornet trackers finds softer inspiration in dandelion seeds

Thanks to its feathery fluff, a dandelion seed riding the wind can cover more than half a mile. While disheartening… Read More

Amazon allocates $42.5M to build 318 affordable apartments near Seattle area light rail stations

Amazon on Tuesday announced that it has allocated $42.5 million to help pay for the construction of 318 affordable apartments… Read More

Tech conveniences that many take for granted finally reach people experiencing poverty

COVID-19 caused society to re-envision how we shop, work and interact. But some of those changes, such as improved and… Read More

‘It’s just astronomical’: Soaring fentanyl deaths help spur tech solutions for combating the opioid

Nationally, fentanyl-related overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 45. The drug killed almost twice… Read More

Native American tribes, wild cat conservation groups use tech to help study and save cougars

A young cougar is hardwired to leave mom and venture out to establish a new territory. But cougars born on… Read More

Kids are non-consenting stars of some family ‘vlogs’ — and a high schooler wants to change that

In the most wholesome scenarios, social media allows families to connect with friends and loved ones, sharing their kids’ milestones,… Read More

Carbon Call: Microsoft among organizations joining effort to bolster accounting of CO2 emissions

More than 683 companies, 136 countries and 234 cities have made pledges to reach net-zero carbon emissions. But for those… Read More

How an early snafu nearly sank a nonprofit startup that went on to enable $51M in charitable gifts

“If this was an ordinary tech startup being done just for the money,” Erik Marks said, “this would have been… Read More

Amazon and Microsoft led the world in corporate purchases of clean energy in 2021

Seattle-area tech giants Amazon and Microsoft were global leaders in clean energy power purchase agreements made by corporations last year.… Read More

Seattle Colleges and Amazon create new opportunity for computer science degrees

The pressing need for more computer science graduates combined with tech companies’ pledges to build more racially and ethnically diverse… Read More

Microsoft shares updates on its $750M affordable housing effort as homelessness crisis continues

Roughly 9,200 affordable housing units are being preserved or created in the greater Seattle area thanks to an initiative launched… Read More

Assistive tech startup led by former NASA engineer uses an AI ‘parrot’ to help people with disabilities

David Hojah is a former NASA engineer, but his real passion is healthcare. Growing up, he saw his family members… Read More

Fighting food waste: We taste-tested an app that sells unsold meals and groceries at a big discount

I’ll admit, I definitely have food waste issues. Four nights out of five, I’m eating the last, unwanted bites of… Read More

Jeff Bezos’ Montessori-inspired free preschools will expand to Texas and Florida

With five Bezos Academy preschools up and running in Washington state, the organization announced this week that it will be… Read More

How climate concerns and incentives are driving solar installations on Washington roofs

When Erin Bryn Fetridge and Ron Darling decided to put 20 solar panels on their roof this fall, one key… Read More

AWS vets lead new startup that aims to connect workers with nonprofits through ‘volunteerism’

Since early 2020, the workplace has been turned upside down. First came COVID-19 work-from-home policies that isolated workers. Then the… Read More

Microsoft reports investments in banks, funds and other programs supporting Black-owned companies

Microsoft on Tuesday shared an update on its work to promote racial equity in the U.S. by investing in and… Read More

Bezos Earth Fund awards $443M in grants, focus is on climate justice, saving and restoring nature

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced 44 grants totaling $443 million from the Bezos Earth Fund on Monday. The new pledges… Read More