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Stargate, OpenAI and Microsoft; BlueSky in Seattle; and Madrona's big new funds

Jan 25, 2025

Explore the implications of Project Stargate as OpenAI teams up with Oracle and Softbank, reshaping its ties with Microsoft. Discover what Satya Nadella's remarks reveal about this venture and Elon Musk's influence in the tech world. The podcast also covers the launch of Madrona's hefty new fund aimed at bolstering startups in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, a nostalgic look at Microsoft’s past via an old CD-ROM sheds light on the company’s evolution in a competitive landscape.

30:49

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Quick takeaways

The $500 billion investment plan by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle signals a pivotal shift in cloud computing strategies away from Microsoft.

Elon Musk's influence in the new administration creates uncertainty in technology policy and major corporate relationships within the tech industry.

Deep dives

The Influence of Elon Musk

Elon Musk is seen as a significant wild card in shaping the technology landscape under the new administration. His relationships with major tech figures, including Jeff Bezos and Microsoft, could potentially influence governmental decisions on contracts and technology policies. The dynamics between Musk and Trump may also affect key decisions, as Musk is perceived to have considerable sway in the administration. This changing power structure emphasizes how technology is increasingly intertwined with political matters in today's world.

Intro

2min

Tech Titans at a Crossroads

10min

Elon's Departure from Doge and Financial Discussions with BECU

3min

Navigating the Social Media Landscape

7min

The Shift to Remote Work and Its Impact on Startup Dynamics

4min

Investment Strategies and Historical Insights

8min

This week, we delve into the Project Stargate announcement by OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank, in conjunction with President Trump, and assess the implications for OpenAi's relationship with Microsoft. We explain what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella really meant with his CNBC zinger about the Stargate investment, and consider how Elon Musk's involvement in the new administration could play out in the tech industry.

PLUS, we discuss Madrona's big new funds and the potential impact on startup activity in the Pacific NW, and find a revealing piece of Microsoft history on an old CD-ROM.

‘I’m good for my $80 billion’: What Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella really meant by his Stargate zinger

CNBC: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on $500B Stargate project: Our partnership with OpenAI continues

Madrona raises $770M for new funds — here’s what the Seattle VC firm is betting on

Cascade PBS: The rise of Bluesky, a not-so-Seattle-based social media company

Microsoft @ 50: ‘The Road Ahead’ at 30: What Bill Gates’ classic book about the future says about the world today

Learn more and register here for our special Microsoft @ 50 event, March 20, 2025, in Seattle.

With GeekWire's Todd Bishop and John Cook. Editing by Curt Milton.

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