Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Feb. 15, 2026

This past week, the Pacific Northwest technology scene saw significant developments across major corporations, burgeoning startups, and regional infrastructure. From shifts in corporate work policies to substantial investment rounds and leadership changes, the headlines reflected a dynamic and evolving tech landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Microsoft's RTO Policy Takes Effect: Seattle-area Microsoft employees began a three-day-a-week return-to-office mandate.
• Major Tech Leadership Shifts: Xbox chief Phil Spencer retired, replaced by Asha Sharma, while Remitly CEO Matt Oppenheimer stepped down, with Sebastian Gunningham taking the helm.
• Washington State Eyes Data Center Regulation: The state House approved new rules concerning data center energy costs and transparency.
• Significant Startup Funding Rounds: Seattle-area infrastructure startup Temporal raised $300M at a $5B valuation, and cloud cost consultant Duckbill secured $7.75M for its new Skyway platform.
• Tribute to a Tech Pioneer: Paul Brainerd, founder of Aldus Corporation and pioneer of desktop publishing, passed away at 78.

What Happened

The week of February 15, 2026, was marked by a series of high-impact news items. Microsoft initiated its new return-to-office (RTO) policy, requiring Seattle-area workers to be in the office three days a week starting February 23. This coincided with a major leadership transition within the company, as long-serving Xbox chief Phil Spencer announced his retirement after 38 years, with Asha Sharma named the new gaming CEO.

Washington state legislators took steps to address the environmental and economic impact of the growing data center industry, with the House approving new regulations. Meanwhile, the region's startup ecosystem demonstrated robust activity, highlighted by a new hacker house in the Seattle area, Bili House, designed to foster collaboration among founders through events like demo nights and hackathons. Another new Seattle-area startup, Legata, led by a former Avalara executive, emerged with a focus on estate tax planning, inspired by frustrations with Washington's estate tax.

Two Seattle-area startups also announced significant funding. Temporal, an infrastructure company, secured $300 million, doubling its valuation to $5 billion, driven by increasing demand for reliable AI infrastructure. Cloud and AWS cost consultant Duckbill expanded into software with its new Skyway platform and raised $7.75 million.

In other corporate news, Remitly CEO Matt Oppenheimer stepped down, handing the reins of the fintech company to former Amazon executive Sebastian Gunningham. Regional transit also saw a modernization effort, with Seattle transit's new 'tap-to-pay' feature set to go live the following week, a move to enhance convenience ahead of the World Cup.

The tech community also mourned the passing of Paul Brainerd, the visionary founder of Aldus Corporation, who coined the term "desktop publishing" and developed PageMaker. Brainerd, who died on Bainbridge Island at 78, dedicated his later years to environmental causes.

Why It Matters

These developments collectively underscore the dynamic nature of the Pacific Northwest's technology sector. Microsoft's RTO policy could influence urban planning and employee dynamics across the region, while significant leadership changes at Xbox and Remitly signal new strategic directions for these key players. The proposed data center regulations highlight growing concerns over energy consumption and transparency, prompting a reevaluation of how the state engages with this critical infrastructure.

The substantial funding secured by Temporal and Duckbill, particularly Temporal's $5 billion valuation driven by the AI wave, reflects the continued investor confidence in innovative infrastructure and AI solutions emerging from the Seattle area. The introduction of Bili House and Legata further illustrates the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in the region, addressing diverse needs from collaborative development to intricate financial planning.

The rollout of tap-to-pay technology on Seattle transit is a practical advancement for daily commuters and visitors, especially as the region prepares for large-scale events like the World Cup. Finally, the passing of Paul Brainerd serves as a poignant reminder of the profound and lasting impact that local innovators have had on the global technology landscape.

Key Details / Context

Microsoft's new RTO policy mandates that Seattle-area workers return to the office three days a week, starting Monday, February 23. This policy follows a period of evolving work arrangements within the tech giant.

Washington’s House of Representatives passed a set of rules for data centers, focusing on energy costs and requiring greater transparency in their operations. These measures aim to balance economic growth with environmental considerations.

Bili House, a new hacker house in the Seattle area, provides a collaborative living and working space for startup founders. It plans to host demo nights, founder dinners, and hackathons, and is actively seeking partnerships, potentially with a venture capital firm, to help subsidize costs for its residents.

Legata, a new Seattle-area startup, was founded by a former Avalara executive. Its mission is to address the complexities of Washington’s estate tax, a challenge that inspired the company's creation due to many families' lack of understanding regarding asset risk without proper planning.

Paul Brainerd, born in 1947 and passing away in 2026, was the visionary behind Aldus Corporation and its groundbreaking PageMaker software. He is credited with coining the term "desktop publishing," revolutionizing the industry. After his success in software, Brainerd dedicated his second chapter to philanthropic efforts focused on the environment.

Matt Oppenheimer stepped down as CEO of Remitly, a Seattle-based fintech company, and Sebastian Gunningham, an experienced tech and finance executive previously with Amazon, was appointed as his successor.

Seattle-area buses and trains will implement a new 'tap-to-pay' feature beginning the week of February 22. This integration of ubiquitous payment technology is part of broader preparations, including those for the upcoming World Cup.

Phil Spencer, a veteran of Microsoft for 38 years, retired from his role as Xbox chief. Asha Sharma has been named the new CEO of Microsoft's gaming division, taking over leadership of the Xbox brand.

Duckbill, a cloud cost consulting firm well-known for co-founder Corey Quinn’s commentary on AWS, has expanded its offerings into software. The company raised $7.75 million in funding to support its new financial planning and forecasting platform for enterprise cloud spending, named Skyway.

Temporal, a Seattle-area infrastructure startup, successfully closed a $300 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz. This investment has propelled the company's valuation to $5 billion, doubling its October valuation and reflecting the surging demand for robust infrastructure to support mission-critical AI deployments.

What Happens Next

Microsoft's three-day-a-week RTO mandate is now in effect, impacting the daily routines of many Seattle-area employees. Seattle transit's new tap-to-pay system is slated to go live next week, enhancing public transportation accessibility.

The legislative discussions around data center regulations in Washington state are expected to continue following the House's approval of new terms. The newly funded startups, Duckbill and Temporal, will be scaling their operations and platforms, particularly in the rapidly expanding AI sector. The Bili House hacker house will continue to host events and seek partnerships to support the local founder community. Additionally, nominations for the highly anticipated GeekWire Awards remain open through February 25th, celebrating top innovators and leaders in the Pacific Northwest.

FAQ

Q: When did Microsoft's new return-to-office policy for Seattle-area workers begin? A: Microsoft's new RTO policy began Monday, February 23, requiring workers to be in the office three days a week.

Q: Who replaced Phil Spencer as the new CEO of Xbox? A: Asha Sharma has been named the new gaming CEO, succeeding Phil Spencer who retired after 38 years at Microsoft.

Q: How much funding did Seattle-area infrastructure startup Temporal raise? A: Temporal raised $300 million, bringing its valuation to $5 billion, a doubling of its valuation from October.