Microsofts reset, a new era for Seattle startups, and how AI is changing everything for founders @GeekWire
Microsofts reset, a new era for Seattle startups, and how AI is changing everything for founders  @GeekWire
Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On this week's show, we're out on the GeekWire deck for our annual founder open house, where we dig into Microsoft's latest round of layoffs — including a major Xbox shakeup — and the surprising rise of hardware companies on the GeekWire 200.


Then we sit down with four guests to talk about how AI is reshaping how they build: 


• Jana Schuster (linkedin.com/in/janaschuster/) of StackIQ (https://stackiq.co) , whose AI-native platform helps companies find redundancy in their software spending — like Rocket Money, but for business — with a small team.

• Blake Resnick (linkedin.com/in/blake-resnick-164871bb) and David Benowitz (linkedin.com/in/david-benowitz/) of Brinc Drones (https://brincdrones.com) , whose mechanical engineers are now vibe coding their own prototypes;

• Boaz Ashkenazy (linkedin.com/in/boazashkenazy) of Shift AI (https://shiftai.fm) , who's setting up always-on agents and rethinking how we interact with AI tools.


Finally, the GeekWire Trivia Challenge: how a longtime T-Mobile executive got his start in the wireless business, and the star-studded history of T-Mobile celebrity endorsers.


Stories mentioned:


• Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs, about 2% globally, revamps salesforce and launches massive Xbox overhaul (geekwire.com/2026/microsoft-cuts-4800-jobs-about-2-globally-revamps-salesforce-and-launches-massive-xbox-overhaul/)

• GeekWire 200 update: New unicorns and a hardware surge remake our list of top Pacific NW startups (geekwire.com/2026/geekwire-200-update-new-unicorns-and-a-hardware-surge-remake-our-list-of-top-pacific-nw-startups/)

• Former GitHub CEO's startup Entire unveils its answer to the crush of AI coding agents (geekwire.com/2026/former-github-ceos-startup-entire-unveils-its-answer-to-the-crush-of-ai-coding-agents/)

• Chicago software company plants flag in Seattle area as new leadership team seeks AI talent (geekwire.com/2026/chicago-software-company-plants-flag-in-seattle-area-as-new-leadership-team-seeks-ai-talent/)

• T-Mobile exec Mike Katz exits after 28 years, as carrier reshuffles top ranks and taps ex-AT&T leader (geekwire.com/2026/t-mobile-exec-mike-katz-exits-after-28-years-as-carrier-reshuffles-top-ranks-and-taps-ex-att-leader/)


With Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton.


See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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Microsoft's reset, a new era for Seattle startups, and how AI is changing everything for founders

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