A Night to Remember: GeekWire Gala 2025 Celebrates Tech Innovation and Holiday Spirit
The Seattle tech community came together for an unforgettable evening of celebration at the 2025 GeekWire Gala, transforming the Showbox SoDo into a hub of innovation, connection, and holiday cheer. With over 750 attendees from across the region’s technology landscape, the annual event—presented by title sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union—seamlessly blended traditional holiday festivities with cutting-edge technology demonstrations. The venue buzzed with excitement as humans and robots mingled throughout the night, creating an atmosphere that perfectly captured the forward-thinking yet warmly communal spirit of Seattle’s tech scene. From interactive gaming stations to specialty food and drink offerings, the gala provided countless opportunities for meaningful networking and genuine celebration as the year drew to a close.
The fusion of technology and entertainment was on full display throughout the event, with robotic companions serving as both functional assistants and conversation starters. Selfiebot roamed the floor capturing candid moments of joy and connection, while twin Portraitbots demonstrated their artistic capabilities by sketching caricatures of delighted attendees. The spirit of friendly competition emerged at the robot racing station, where guests could test their mechanical engineering skills against others. For those seeking more photo opportunities, a dedicated robot-themed photo booth captured memories of the evening. The gala’s refreshment offerings were equally innovative, featuring an espresso martini printer, custom-printed macaroon cookies crafted on-site by Macadons owner Michael Huynh, an abundant candy bar, and even a walking oyster bar that brought fresh seafood directly to guests as they networked.
A highlight of the evening was the “Uncommon Thinkers” awards ceremony, now in its third year, presented by GeekWire and Greater Seattle Partners to recognize the region’s most groundbreaking innovators. The 2025 honorees represented diverse fields of technological advancement: Anindya Roy, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Lila Biologics; Chet Kittleson, co-founder and CEO of Tin Can (represented by co-founder Max Blumen); Brian Pinkard, co-founder and CTO at Aquagga; Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems; Kiana Ehsani, co-founder and CEO of Vercept; and Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky. Rebecca Lovell, interim president and CEO of Greater Seattle Partners, joined GeekWire co-founder John Cook on stage to present these awards to individuals whose work is fundamentally transforming how we live, work, and interact with technology. Each recipient took a moment to share insights about their innovative work, inspiring the audience with glimpses of future possibilities.
The visual spectacle of the gala extended beyond its technological elements to include striking decorations and interactive installations. A large illuminated structure from Seattle Math Museum & Studio Infinity dominated one area of the venue, combining mathematical principles with artistic expression. The fashion-forward crowd embraced the holiday theme with creative outfits, some participating in an on-stage fashion judging competition that added a playful element to the festivities. Entertainment options abounded throughout the evening, with a popular karaoke station encouraging brave souls to showcase their vocal talents. GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook took to the stage at various points to address the crowd, expressing gratitude to the sponsors and attendees who made the celebration possible while reflecting on another remarkable year of technological advancement in the Seattle region.
The diverse array of sponsors supporting the event demonstrated the collaborative nature of Seattle’s tech ecosystem. Gold sponsors included Greater Seattle Partners, Pilot, and Astound Business Solutions (who parked a festive bucket truck outside the venue), while silver sponsors comprised MeeBoss, Tito’s, The Baldwin Group, Wilson Sonsini, ALLtech, IDA Ireland, Microsoft for Startups, gone.com, Prime Team Partners, and Regence. Keion Mauldin, senior XC manager from title sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union, addressed attendees from the stage, emphasizing the credit union’s commitment to supporting innovation in the community. The corporate support enabled the event’s elaborate offerings while providing these organizations an opportunity to connect directly with Seattle’s tech talent in a relaxed, celebratory setting.
As the evening progressed, the dance floor filled with revelers enjoying the holiday spirit, while others continued engaging in meaningful conversations about the future of technology. The Showbox SoDo, with its industrial charm and spacious layout, proved the perfect backdrop for this convergence of holiday tradition and technological innovation. Photographers Kevin Lisota and Kurt Schlosser captured the energy of the event, documenting everything from candid networking moments to the joy on award winners’ faces. The 2025 GeekWire Gala successfully fulfilled its purpose as both an end-of-year celebration and a powerful demonstration of Seattle’s position as a leading technology hub. As attendees departed into the December night, they carried with them not only memorable experiences and new connections but also renewed inspiration for the innovation challenges and opportunities awaiting in the year ahead.
