Read AI CEO and Co-Founder David Shim named CEO of the Year by GeekWire

David Shim, Co-Founder and CEO of Read AI, was named CEO of the Year by GeekWire in recognition of David's leadership of the productivity platform, among the most disruptive and successful startups to influence the future of work today. Thanks to David's commitment to innovation, transparency, and independence, the company is now one of the fastest-growing AI applications of all time, adding more than 40K new customers every day.

Accepting the award from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where David was attending Web Summit and bringing Read AI to the global workforce, he recognized the entire team, including Co-Founders Rob Williams and Elliott Waldron, as well as the investors including Madrona Venture Group. 

“It’s an honor to break down barriers to AI access for millions of people, including 75% of the Fortune 50 and millions of subscribers,” says David Shim. “Productivity AI is set to go mainstream in 2025, and I am proud to accept this win on behalf of Read AI.”

According to John Cook, co-founder and publisher of GeekWire: “David Shim’s recognition as CEO of the Year at the GeekWire Awards is a testament to the strength and spirit of the Pacific Northwest tech community. His leadership reflects the collaborative, inventive and entrepreneurial energy that defines our region.” 
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The other finalists for the CEO of the Year at the 2025 GeekWire Awards include Maria Colacurcio, CEO at Syndio; Ali Farhadi, CEO at Ai2; Anand Subbaraj, CEO at Zuper; and Robert Wahbe, CEO at Highspot.  

Read AI, founded in 2021 in Seattle, Washington, raised both Series A and B in 2024; In January, it was listed as One of 16 Companies to Watch in 2025 by Inc Magazine. Prior to founding Read AI, David was CEO of Foursquare and Founder and CEO of Placed, which was acquired by Snap in 2017.

Read AI is hiring! Join the team at https://www.read.ai/careers. 

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