The competition for the 2026 GeekWire Awards highlights significant transactions in the tech sector, with the finalists representing several billion dollars in activity. Among the contenders are Kestra Medical Technologies, Omeros, Protect AI, Statsig, and Temporal, showcasing acquisitions, a notable licensing agreement, a significant funding round, and an IPO.
This year marks the 18th edition of the GeekWire Awards, which honors leading figures and innovations in the Pacific Northwest's technology landscape. Scheduled for May 7 at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle, the event is set to attract hundreds of attendees.
Last year's winner, Lexion, achieved a successful acquisition by Docusign for $165 million, reflecting the continuous growth of startups in the region. Voting for the Deal of the Year finalists is open until April 10, allowing the community to influence the outcome.
In a notable deal, Statsig was acquired by OpenAI for $1.1 billion in an all-stock transaction, announced in September. This acquisition not only brought financial success to Statsig but also placed its CEO, Vijaye Raji, in a new role at OpenAI, further enhancing its operations in Bellevue.