Startups, superheroes, and the economy at a crossroads: Voices from Seattle's tech community

After holding the GeekWire Awards virtually for the past two years, there was a feeling of real catharsis Thursday evening as hundreds of people streamed through the doors of the Showbox Sodo in Seattle for our annual celebration of the Pacific Northwest's top tech startups, leaders, and innovations.

For the finalists in the 2022 GeekWire Awards, recognition at the superhero-themed show came with the added bonus of knowing that their companies made it through a period of unprecedented challenge and change.

But the week also brought a new sense of uncertainty about what's to come.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi's widely cited memo on Monday was a flashpoint for the tech industry, adding to existing concerns by warning of a “seismic shift” in the markets, signaling tougher times and tighter belts ahead. Some of the startup CEOs in attendance acknowledged reading his message closely.

So we took our cues from the backdrop, literally and figuratively — inviting tech leaders aside at the event to ask questions such as: What's your take on the possibility of new economic realities? What are your biggest challenges and priorities for the rest of the year? And, of course: which superhero best reflects your company's ethos?

The result was a glimpse into the collective psyche of the tech community in a key U.S. innovation hub, at a pivotal moment for the country and the world.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.