1. The Rise of AI-Powered Solutions in Seattle’s Tech Scene
Seattle’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive, with a new wave of startups leveraging cutting-edge technologies to solve real-world problems. Among these rising stars are Actual AI, CopyCat, Esterre, Phishgrad, Runner, and Tmind AI. Each of these startups is carving out its own niche, from automating performance reviews to protecting consumers from online scams. Their innovative approaches highlight the diversity and creativity of Seattle’s entrepreneurial spirit. Whether it’s improving workplace productivity or enhancing mental health support, these companies are proving that technology can be both powerful and purposeful.
2. Actual AI: Revolutionizing Performance Reviews for Engineering Teams
For engineering managers, performance reviews can be a time-consuming and often subjective process. Actual AI is stepping in to change that. Founded by tech industry veterans John Kennedy and Ethan Byrd, Actual AI has developed a productivity metric that tracks the work done by developers and provides actionable summaries for both teams and individual engineers. The company, which recently joined the prestigious Alchemist Accelerator in San Francisco, has already secured 23 pilot customers and three paying clients. By automating the performance review process, Actual AI aims to make feedback more objective and efficient, helping engineering teams thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
3. CopyCat: Automating Browser-Based Tasks with Natural Language
In a world where repetitive tasks can eat away at productivity, CopyCat is offering a game-changing solution. This Y Combinator-backed startup allows users to describe workflows in natural language, which are then executed by “browser agents.” A medical company, for example, uses CopyCat to sync electronic health data to their own platforms. Founded by Abhi Balijepalli, Graham Sabin, and Zyad Elgohary, the team behind CopyCat previously built Platter, a platform for restaurants. Their vision is bold: they believe browser agents could one day make APIs obsolete, eliminating the need for tedious documentation and coding. If successful, CopyCat could usher in a new era of simplicity and efficiency for businesses everywhere.
4. Esterre: Redefining Vacation Home Ownership
Imagine owning a portfolio of vacation homes without the hassle of maintenance or the burden of a single property. Esterre is making that vision a reality with a flexible ownership model that allows people to buy equity in multiple properties across Washington state. Teaming up with Windermere Real Estate, Esterre uses custom software to manage reservations and property operations. The company is led by Michael Burns, a former executive at Disney Vacation Club, who describes Esterre as “a new concept tailored to today’s customer.” Drawing comparisons to Pacaso, a real estate startup co-founded by former Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff, Esterre is aiming to disrupt the vacation home market with its innovative approach.
5. Phishgrad: Fighting Online Scams with Cutting-Edge Technology
As online scams become increasingly sophisticated, consumers need better tools to protect themselves. Enter Phishgrad, a bootstrapped startup that recently launched a free browser extension for Google Chrome to flag suspicious emails. Led by an unlikely duo—former Seattle Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice and tech veteran Sidney James—Phishgrad is on a mission to democratize access to high-quality cybersecurity tools. “We want everyone to have the same level of protection as large companies,” says James. With scammers becoming more organized and technologically advanced, Phishgrad’s solution couldn’t come at a better time. By putting powerful security resources within reach of everyday users, Phishgrad is making the internet a safer place, one email at a time.
6. Runner and Tmind AI: Empowering Brokers and Therapists
Runner, led by Art Litvinau, is tackling the challenges of commercial real estate by automating the manual tasks that slow down brokers. The software handles everything from scheduling to creating surveys, allowing senior brokers to focus on building relationships and closing deals. “Responsiveness and speed separate good brokers from great ones,” Litvinau writes on LinkedIn. “That’s where we come in.” Meanwhile, Tmind AI is using interactive AI-powered chat sessions to help therapists improve their counseling skills. CEO Cindy Nie, who previously founded One Healing Space, is on a mission to address the global mental health crisis by equipping future therapists with better tools. With pilot programs launching at universities this year, Tmind AI is poised to make a significant impact on mental health care.
Together, these startups exemplify the ingenuity and diversity of Seattle’s tech scene. From automating tasks to enhancing human skills, they are reshaping industries and improving lives—one line of code at a time.
