BACK TO ALL CASE STUDIESMapping Innovation: How Built Mighty Visualized Greater Seattle’s Tech Ecosystem
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Custom Web Development
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ABOUT
Greater Seattle Partners
Greater Seattle Partners are a dynamic public-private partnership, they spearhead initiatives to attract global businesses, facilitate cross-sectoral connections, streamline site selection processes, and nurture investment and trade opportunities. Their mission: to ensure every person in the region has an opportunity to prosper.
THE CHALLENGE
Transform Data into a Compelling Narrative
Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) needed to transform complex data into a compelling narrative about the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Their goal was to create a visualization that would:
Showcase the interconnected world of 528 fast-growing startups from the GeekWire 200 list
Highlight the relationships between founders, anchor institutions, investors, and incubators
Tell the story of Greater Seattle’s unique innovation landscape in the region
We needed a digital and print-ready map that could clearly and accessibly showcase the connections between Cascadia’s startups.
— Yelena Kalashnikova, Marketing Director, Greater Seattle Partners
HOW WE DID IT
Our Approach
The project called for an interactive digital map, a print version for events, and a way to visualize over 1,100 founders and 772 unique connections—all within a tight one-month timeline. We delivered Innovate State, a dynamic, multi-format visualization beyond traditional mapping.
Data Analysis & Mapping
- Analyzed data from multiple sources, including Microsoft, GeekWire, and Technology Alliance
- Mapped connections between 528 startups and 37 key “planets” in the ecosystem
- Highlighted connections between educational institutions, major tech companies, and startups
Visualization Design
- Created a node-based visualization that prioritized connection over geographical accuracy
- Developed an interactive digital map with:
- Color-coded nodes representing different types of institutions
- Dynamic connection highlighting
- Comprehensive search functionality
- Detailed sidebar with additional information
Collaborative Development
- Worked closely with Greater Seattle Partners, GeekWire, Microsoft, and other stakeholders
- Conducted weekly refinement meetings
- Ensured the visualization met the needs of multiple partner organizations
THE RESULTS
The Final Product Delivered
The Innovate State visualization brought Greater Seattle’s innovation ecosystem to life, highlighting why the region ranks among the world’s top 20 startup hubs from 2020 to 2024. It revealed $25.4 billion in venture capital raised since 2021, the highest concentration of AI talent in North America, and a world-class workforce—63% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The map showcased 528 high-growth startups from the GeekWire 200, along with connections between over 1,100 founders, key employers like Microsoft and Amazon, and institutions such as the University of Washington. Created in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, GeekWire, and others, the project illustrates how anchor institutions, investors, and incubators work together to fuel one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
Deliverables:
An interactive digital map showcasing 38 major nodes and hundreds of connections
A user-friendly interface with advanced search capabilities
A print version perfect for events and displays (Checkout the celebration and our print image here)
A compelling visualization of the region’s innovation ecosystem
Built Mighty delivered both a beautifully designed print version for events and a highly functional, editable digital version integrated seamlessly into our WordPress site.
— Yelena Kalashnikova, Marketing Director, Greater Seattle Partners
Why It Worked
WordPress isn’t usually the first platform that comes to mind for advanced data visualization—but we set out to change that. With the Innovate State map, we showed just how powerful WordPress can be. We created a fully responsive, embeddable visualization that partners can easily add to their own sites. By tapping into WordPress’s flexibility, we proved it’s more than capable of supporting complex, data-driven storytelling when you combine the right technical skills with a little creativity.
Our success stemmed from:
Technical Expertise – translating complex data into an intuitive visual experience
Collaborative Process– Maintaining clear, consistent communication
Dual-Format Design – Creating both digital and print versions simultaneously
User-Centered Approach – Prioritizing accessibility and readability
KEY INSIGHTS
Key Insights Revealed
The “Innovate State” visualization uncovered fascinating details about the Greater Seattle innovation ecosystem:
1,100
Founders
528
Companies Created
by Founders
772
Unique Connections
54%
of Connections Are
from the Top 5 “Planets”
Top 5 “Planets”
University of Washington –> 149 connections
Microsoft –> 103 connections
Madrona Venture Group –> 63 connections
Amazon –> 53 connections
Techstars –> 51 connections
Built Mighty has been an invaluable partner to Greater Seattle Partners for over five years,
and their work on the Innovate State startup ecosystem map is a true reflection of their thoughtful approach to design, functionality, and long-term usability.
— Yelena Kalashnikova, Marketing Director, Greater Seattle Partners
LOOKING FORWARD
A Blueprint for Regional Innovation
The “Innovate State” project not only mapped an ecosystem but also told a powerful story of collaboration, innovation, and interconnectedness in the Greater Seattle region.
As technology continues to evolve, we remain committed to creating innovative visualization tools that transform complex data into meaningful narratives.
We see this project as a blueprint for future explorations of regional innovation ecosystems, with potential applications across industries, from tech and biotech to emerging fields yet to be discovered!
It’s a resource our partners and community can rely on—and proudly share. The project was completed in just seven weeks,
and thanks to their expertise, our team can now easily maintain and update the map moving forward.
— Yelena Kalashnikova, Marketing Director, Greater Seattle Partners
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