GeekWire Awards: Workplace of the Year finalists buck trends to create their own positive cultures

In the current zeitgeist, remote and flexible work are out. Corporate diversity and inclusion are taboo. And if your boss is the federal government, you might be asked to enumerate and defend your productivity over the past week.

But that isn’t true everywhere.

The five finalists for the 2025 GeekWire Awards’ Workplace of the Year aren’t taking their leadership and company culture cues from news headlines. They’re finding the balance of inclusion, accountability, professional development and personal support that makes their businesses hum and keeps employees happy.

The contenders are Overland AI, Humanly, Armoire, Foundations and Acumatica. The category is sponsored by JLL.

Last year’s winner was Likewise, a Seattle-area content-recommendation startup that helps users find TV shows, movies, books and more.

Continue reading for details on each of this year’s finalists, and vote here or below.

Overland AI

Overland AI launched out of the University of Washington with technology to aid the armed services. It’s building tools for the U.S. military that enable a human operator to control robotic vehicles navigating off-road terrain, including in environments with no GPS.

The Seattle startup’s workplace cohesion comes from an appreciation that everyone is contributing and sharing accountability, its leaders said. The employees know their work can make life and death differences for soldiers.

“Overland AI wins as a team, learns as a team, and supports each other through every challenge,” said Stephanie Bonk, co-founder and president of Overland AI. “This value is especially critical in a rapidly growing technology startup, where agility, trust, and a shared vision drive success.”

Humanly

Humanly is a Seattle startup using AI to make the hiring process easier by streamlining functions like screening, scheduling interviews and performing reference checks.

Company leaders say that Humanly celebrates diversity and belonging. It emphasizes a mantra of “dream big, play big” that encourages bold ideas and experimentation.

The workplace culture, said Sarah Bernstein, Humanly’s people operations manager, is “built on wit, warmth, and trust, creating an environment where we can show up authentically, challenge ideas, and push boundaries, while still making a pun or two along the way.”

Humanly CEO Prem Kumar previously won Startup CEO of the Year at the GeekWire Awards.

Armoire

Armoire, a Seattle online clothing rental company, weaves a network of support within its workforce that extends to its customers and the broader community.

Launched by CEO Ambika Singh, Armoire celebrates female leadership and “bosslady” power. The startup supports working parents, its benefits include paid maternity leave and free clothing rentals, and it encourages “creative side-hustles” for its employees. It holds public events at its downtown warehouse, including happy hours, clothing sales, and its first South Asian Fashion Show in October.

“Armoire’s workplace reflects the beautiful diversity of the members we serve, bound together by a shared desire to do good while doing well,” Singh said. “Our talented sewers, data scientist, operations professionals, trendsetting buyers, creative social media geniuses and more work together, hand in hand, to deliver joy to our customers and respite to Mother Earth.”

Foundations

Foundations is this category’s new kid on the block, hosting a launch party in September to celebrate the Seattle venue. A self-described “serendipity factory,” Foundations brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors in a physical space that features co-working desks, office pods, meeting rooms, snacks, video games and other amenities.

The organization accepts small groups of “founders-in-residence” for six-month memberships designed to accelerate their startups and provide access to office space and mentorship.

“Foundations’ workplace belongs to its community, everyone is an owner, and its leaders are just the stewards,” said co-founder Aviel Ginzburg. “We’ve designed the space to host events, do collaborative work, and do deep work. We just keep the lights on, internet running, and the kitchen stocked. We also let community members use the space as a platform for their own events and communities.”

Acumatica

Acumatica is a Bellevue, Wash., company specializing in cloud-based enterprise resource planning. In the wave of orders requiring employees in the office full-time, Acumatica continues to support a flexible, hybrid work model and has workers worldwide. It has received national and regional kudos for its standout workplace culture.

The company recruits from diverse backgrounds and offers structured career development resources, coaching, leadership training and mentoring. Employees are supported in traveling to industry events where they can present talks and network.

“By combining a culture of inclusion and empowerment with community-driven innovation, Acumatica is building a workplace where people thrive, careers flourish and employees feel valued and inspired,” said Martha-Lucia Groulx, Acumatica’s chief people officer.

The GeekWire Awards recognize the top innovators and companies in Pacific Northwest technology. Finalists in this category and others were selected based on community nominations, along with input from GeekWire Awards judges. Community voting across all categories will continue until March 23, combined with feedback from judges to determine the winner in each category.

We'll announce the winners on April 30 at the GeekWire Awards, presented by Astound Business Solutions. There are a limited number of half-table and full-table sponsorships available to attend the event. Contact our events team at events@geekwire.com to reserve a spot for your team today.

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Astound Business Solutions is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 GeekWire Awards. Thanks also to gold sponsors JLL, Baird, Wilson Sonsini, Baker Tilly and First Tech, and supporting sponsors ALLtech and Showbox Presents.