Seattle has a new technology website, TechFlash.com, which just went live this morning with its public beta version. The name has been kept secret, but it's been well known that two ace technology reporters formerly with The Post-Intelligencer, John Cook (writing on venture capitalism and new technology) and Todd Bishop (Microsoft beat), were starting the site, in conjunction with Puget Sound Business Journal. Eric Englemann of the Business Journal will also be filing stories on TechFlash. TechFlash describes itself as "an online news site dedicated to covering the technology industry in the Pacific Northwest."
TechFlash launches with a nice scoop: Bill Gates' mysterious new company is outed. It's called bgC3 LLC, which Bishop quotes an inside source as meaning Bill Gates Catalyst Third Place (neither Microsoft nor Gates Foundation). It will be located in Kirkland and appears to be a small scale technological think tank with space for 40-60 employees. Sources quoted in the story say it will coordinate Gates' philanthropic and business ventures, and may put money into some visionary new ideas and companies.
Given the economy, this may seem an odd time to launch a new venture. But a look at the site shows how many stories of job cuts and other turmoil are out there for covering. One regular feature is called "Pink Slip Watch."
