Technology

Power moves: Commercial energy-saving strategies

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Complying with Washington state's Clean Buildings Act can prove costly for building owners, but there are some low-cost solutions that can help them save money and avoid fees, according to some energy efficiency experts here.

Data center pause clouds Spokane's future

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Spokane's decision to immediately halt new developments of computer data centers for one year could affect the city's ability to compete for future billion-dollar investments.

Five Takeaways: Manufacturing & Innovation

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For its latest episode of Elevating The Conversation, the Journal sat down with Mike Marzetta, president of Altek Inc. and co-founder of Minds-i Inc., to discuss manufacturing and innovation.

Sleepless nights inspire Spokane invention

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400

SleepVibe Inc. has increased sales of its sleep aid device by more than 300% over the past year through podcast advertisements and support from sleep apnea doctors and first responders across the Inland Northwest who are discovering the benefits of the company’s namesake invention, says CEO and founder James Marsh.

The attribution trap: Why your marketing metrics are stunting growth

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

For many small business owners, the pursuit of the perfect marketing metric has become a double-edged sword. Often, small businesses only focus on attribution, and it’s ruining their marketing efforts.

AI frenzy fuels rise in venture capital activity

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

A surge in artificial intelligence investment is reshaping the venture capital landscape, driving record valuations and deal sizes while creating new challenges for startups that aren't centered on AI technology.

Kootenai Health debuts new surgical robot

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Kootenai Health has added one of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical platforms available today to its main campus in Coeur d'Alene as part of a strategy to expand specialized care and invest in emerging medical technologies.

I-90 Aerospace Conference readies for takeoff

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Nuclear power, quantum technology, and data centers are among the topics planned for discussion at the I-90 Aerospace+ Corridor Conference & Expo this month.

Valley biotech launches probiotic odor spray

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Integrated Lipid Biofuels LLC, a biotech and sustainability company based in Spokane Valley, has developed and launched its first consumer product and is preparing a Kickstarter campaign to support its initial market rollout.

Cybersecurity program expands in scope at EWU

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The cybersecurity industry is experiencing significant growth as one of the fastest-expanding fields on a regional, national, and international level.

Continuous Composites relocates facility, expands

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Continuous Composites Inc., a Coeur d'Alene-based carbon fiber parts and machines manufacturer, is planning to expand its workforce following a successful move to a new office and warehouse space at 3875 N. Schreiber Way in the Coeur d’Alene Commerce Park.

Failed sale clouds startup's future

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

In early January, Liberty Lake-based Vega Cloud Inc., a software company that helps organizations manage their cloud spending, was in the late stages of a strategic sale that ultimately failed, leading the company to a workforce stoppage, followed by a petition to place it into receivership, court records filed with the King County Superior Court indicate.

Post Falls manufacturer snags Air Force contract

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

ATC Manufacturing Inc. will seek to prove that thermoplastic composite components can be scaled up in size for aerospace and defense uses after being awarded a $7 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory in March.

Maplewood Software, StaffReady acquired

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Dallas-based Exa Capital LLC has acquired Spokane-based Maplewood Software Inc. and its spin-off, StaffReady, which is a trade name for NW Software Solutions Inc.

Glixin aims to rein in AI-driven risks through AI

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how businesses operate, but the systems meant to control AI are struggling to keep up.

2026 Small Business of the Year Finalist: Williamson & Associates Technologies Inc. dba Wassoc

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Wassoc is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the small-business category.

2026 Small Business of the Year Finalist: Omniscia Health Inc. dba Omniscia AI

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0400

Colbert-based Omniscia AI is a finalist for the Inland Northwest Business of the Year Awards, in the small-business category.

Servatron to close at end of year

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:54:15 -0400

Spokane Valley-based electronics manufacturer Servatron Inc. will shut down at the end of the year, according to a statement from its U.K.-based parent company, Volex PLC.

SFCC primes students for evolving workforce

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

As artificial intelligence quietly becomes an everyday tool across industries, Spokane Falls Community College is moving toward educating students on how to work alongside it in their future careers.

Inherent Biosciences eyes further growth in Spokane

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Salt Lake City-based Inherent Biosciences Inc., a health care diagnostic startup, is growing its presence in the Spokane area since first expanding here in 2024 through $1.25 million in grants from Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.

Ten Spokane-area startups raised $26M in 2025

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Startup companies pitching to the Spokane Angel Alliance raised significantly more capital in 2025 than they did the prior year, says Tom Simpson, president of the alliance and CEO of business accelerator Ignite Northwest.

Omniscia AI targets growth in new global markets

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in recent years, Omniscia Health Inc., which does business as Omniscia AI, has expanded beyond its health care roots and landed customers in the financial services and sports sectors, positioning the Colbert-based startup for scaled growth this year, says CEO Brandon Tanner.

Memory Loss: RAM shortage concerns Inland Northwest businesses

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Random-access memory, or RAM, components essential in consumer and commercial computers have tripled or even quadrupled in price since early 2025 due to an explosion of artificial intelligence data center construction across the country, and local computer supply and information technology companies are feeling the squeeze.

Startup scene expected to build off strong 2025

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

As the Inland Northwest startup ecosystem matures, the year ahead is expected to build off what has been a strong 2025.

Aerospace, green energy drive manufacturing activity

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

After a year marked by stalled projects and softening job numbers, Spokane’s manufacturing sector is poised to enter 2026 on firmer footing. Industry experts describe a manufacturing landscape that is stabilizing and quietly expanding, even as automation, global market pressures, and federal funding cuts impact the way companies grow.

Spokane architects share possibilities, concerns about AI

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Architects in Spokane and across the country have some mixed feelings about the use of artificial intelligence tools in their craft, according to some industry experts here.

Common cyber scams targeting small businesses

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Cybersecurity requires vigilance as scams become more complex with the use of artificial intelligence.

Itron acquires Miami-based utility-tech company

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

Liberty Lake-based utility tech company Itron Inc. has acquired Urbint Inc., a Miami-based incident prevention solutions developer.

Life science industry gets another boost

dylanh@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0400

A new biotech incubator designed to support early-stage startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers launched earlier this year, further fueling the recent growth of the Inland Northwest life sciences industry.

XCraft Enterprises lands $1M Best Buy order

karinae@spokanejournal.com — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:00:00 -0400

When Best Buy Co., Inc. approached JD Claridge to ask if his company, XCraft Enterprises Inc., could potentially step in as the retailer phased out Chinese-made drones, Claridge seized the opportunity, landing a $1 million purchase order that could put the Hayden-based manufacturer on the national stage.