Uncommon Thinkers: UW prof Shwetak Patel has a ‘rare creative brilliance’ 

Seattle mental health startup Joon Care raises $6M | Health tech company Valant sold in private equity deal ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: Calgary's thriving tech ecosystem offers more than just opportunity: [See why Calgary is your next tech destination.]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Shwetak Patel describes himself as a “naive innovator” — a mindset that’s helped the renowned University of Washington computer science professor come up with out-of-the-box ideas that turned into tech startups acquired by Belkin and Google. Colleagues say Patel has a “creative brilliance” and praised his ability to bridge academia and industry. [Read more about Patel in the latest profile]( in [our Uncommon Thinkers series]( presented by Greater Seattle Partners, and join us as we recognize all six honorees Dec. 6 [at the GeekWire Gala](. - There is limited ticket availability to the Gala — [make our party your work holiday party]( and come out to the Showbox Market on Wednesday. Joon Care raises $6 million: The teletherapy startup, which helps young patients deal with a range of mental health challenges, will use the cash to extend its runway. [Read more.]( Health software company Valant sold to private equity firm: The Seattle-based startup develops tech to help behavioral health practitioners manage billing and electronic medical records. [Read more.]( Hot Links: - Vancouver, Wash.-based biotech company Absci inked a drug design collaboration deal with AstraZeneca worth up to $247 million. ([Fierce Biotech]( - Alaska Airlines will fly Amazon packages as part of a cargo transportation agreement the tech giant had with Hawaiian Airlines, which is being acquired by Alaska. ([FreightWaves]( - Amazon warehouse workers fear handling hazardous materials at some of the company’s distribution facilities, citing lack of proper training. ([The Seattle Times]( Thanks for [subscribing]( to the GeekWire newsletter, and have a great week. — GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper, taylor@geekwire.com, and GeekWire reporter Kurt Schlosser, kurt@geekwire.com. SPONSOR MESSAGE [How can a 10-minute walk to greenspace change a neighborhood?]( Trust for Public Land works to ensure all Washingtonians can access tree-filled parks that improve people’s mental and physical health, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. [Join the movement to create more parks now!]( LATEST HEADLINES [Seattle-based health software company Valant sold to another private equity firm]( [Seattle startup Joon raises $6M to expand online mental health therapy for youth]( [Uncommon Thinkers: UW prof and entrepreneur Shwetak Patel has a rare ‘creative brilliance’]( [Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Nov. 26, 2023]( GEEKWORK: TODAY'S TECH JOBS - [INRIX: Lead Software Engineer, Big Data]( - [INRIX: Lead Software Engineer]( - [INRIX: Finance Pricing Manager]( - [City of Redlands: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst]( - [Seattle Sounders FC: Director of Lifecycle Marketing]( - [City of Newport: Systems Administrator I or II]( [FIND MORE JOBS ON GEEKWORK]( [HIRING? BUY A FEATURED LISTING TO APPEAR HERE]( [About GeekWire]( [Contact Us]( [Advertise]( Copyright © 2023 GeekWire LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted to receive emails from GeekWire LLC.  Our mailing address is: GeekWire LLC 123 NW 36th St, Suite 203 Seattle, WA 98107  [change email frequency or address]( | [unsubscribe](