Startup Surprise: Funding skyrockets despite pandemic

Here’s what we’re talking about on the GeekWire Podcast this week. Despite the pandemic, funding for Seattle tech startups remains robust in the first half of 2020. In fact, funding is ahead of last year. What gives? We consider whether COVID-19 is accelerating some companies into the new economy of remote working, online shopping and more. Check out our list of startup funding to see how companies are doing.  Health benefits platform Accolade became Seattle's first IPO of the year, with an initial valuation of $1.2 billion. Headed by Raj Singh, a veteran Seattle startup entrepreneur, Accolade uses a variety of technologies to help employees at its client companies navigate their health benefits, with a goal of improving health and reducing costs. GeekWire's events are back! Up next week is a new event, Geeks Gaming for Good, where eight company-sponsored teams will compete in a Rocket League tournament. A portion of the entry fees will go to a prize pool benefiting Seattle-area non-profits. On July 16, we'll be hosting GeekWire Roundtable: The Future of Sports. We'll discuss how sports can safely return in a post-pandemic world, the role of tech and the economics of sports in this challenging environment. And the GeekWire Awards are back on July 23 and they're going virtual. We'll be revealing the winners of the Pacific Northwest's annual technology and startup awards ... and there will be some special guests. To register, go to the Events page at GeekWire.com. With GeekWire’s Todd Bishop and John Cook. Produced by Curt Milton. Theme music by Daniel L.K. Caldwell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.