Former journalist and VC firm content expert Coral Garnick Ducken returns to the studio to help us understand the top business stories of the week! Top Stories 1. Two new grocery stores, one restaurant closes Trader Joe's draws hundreds to line up for grand opening (Seattle Times) PCC says downtown Seattle store to reopen this summer (Seattle Times) Virginia Inn, Seattle restaurant that predates Pike Place Market, will close (Seattle Times) 2. Status of venture funding in Q1 Seattle venture funding surges in first quarter (PSBJ) Filing: Seattle VC firm Ascend raising third fund to back more startups in Seattle and beyond (GeekWire) Seattle's newest investment group aims to break down silos between angel investors, VCs, founders (GeekWire) 3. Blue Origin lands DOD contract (and women flight) Blue Origin lands $2.8 billion contract with DOD (PSBJ) Blue Origin's all-female space mission sends celebrities and scientists on a suborbital trip (GeekWire and elsewhere) 4. Microsoft & Amazon want to remove middle management Microsoft reportedly eyes layoffs targeting middle managers (PSBJ) Amazon CEO Jassy blasts company bureaucracy in shareholders letter (Seattle Times) 5. The future of content consumption with AI The future of media is intelligent and interactive: How AI will change how we consume content (GeekWire) About guest co-host Coral Garnick Ducken - Digital Editor, Madrona : Prior to her current role as Digital Editor for Seattle VC firm Madrona, she was a content writer for Blueprint Technologies. Before that she was the Associate Editor at Puget Sound Business Journal after leaving Seattle Times as a business reporter. Coral earned her masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. About host Rachel Horgan: Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director...
