Yakima's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2024

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

If you're a twenty-something looking for a fresh tech scene to get hyped about, you gotta peep what's poppin' in Yakima this year! This low-key town's transforming into a legit innovation hub, and the numbers don't lie.

According to the latest Yakima Valley Trends data, the tech workforce here has exploded by like 27% in just three years.

Major keys driving this surge? Prime location between Seattle and Portland, backing from local orgs and colleges, plus a cost of living that's drawing talent from major cities.

You already know Yakima's economic development plan is all about growing quality jobs that let you live that good life.

With startups crushing it in areas like AgriTech, IoT, and sustainable energy, this spot's quickly becoming a top destination for techies seeking that next level.

If you're over the usual hotspots and want to get in on some cutting-edge action without going broke, Yakima's where it's at in 2024.

Alright, let's talk about how we ranked Yakima's hottest startups for 2024. It wasn't just some random picks, we had a solid process to make sure we highlighted the real stars.

First up, we checked out all the legit data sources like Crunchbase and PitchBook to get the full scoop on Yakima's startup scene. We're talking funding rounds, investors, product deets, the whole nine yards.

Then we broke it down into three main steps:

1. We made a list of every tech startup in Yakima founded in the past five years. Gotta start somewhere, right?
2. Next, we evaluated them based on cold hard numbers:
   • Funding: How much cash did they raise? More money = more confidence from investors.
   • Revenue Growth: Are they actually making bank year over year? Growth is key.
   • Employee Count: The more people they hire, the more they're scaling up.
3. But we didn't just stop at numbers. We had a panel of industry pros and local experts check out the qualitative factors like how innovative they are, if they're disrupting the market, and if they align with Yakima's economic goals.

This multi-dimensional approach, as startup ranking queen Elizabeth Thomas puts it, "ensures a holistic evaluation that captures both measurable performance and intangible factors that drive long-term success." So you know our top 10 list is the real deal – these are the startups that are gonna shape Yakima's tech future in a major way.

You know what's really cool these days? Quirky Solutions, a startup in Yakima that's making waves with their Internet of Things (IoT) tech for small businesses.

Their flagship product, BizConnect, is like the ultimate smart upgrade – connecting IoT sensors and AI analytics to help businesses run smoother and smarter.

As of mid-2024, over 200 local businesses across retail, hospitality, and manufacturing are already using BizConnect.

And the results are wild – clients saw an average 18% cost savings in just the first year! But that's not all, productivity spiked by 32% and resource wastage dropped by 26%.

It's a total game-changer.

But Quirky Solutions isn't just about individual business gains. According to the Yakima Chamber of Commerce, their IoT solutions have generated a massive $4.2 million for the local economy, created 75 new tech jobs, and even cut the supported businesses' combined carbon footprint by 22%.

Talk about making a positive impact!

And you know what's even cooler? Quirky Solutions is just getting started. Their CEO, Jessica Nguyen, said, "Our vision is to empower every small business with the transformative potential of IoT. By democratizing access to cutting-edge technologies, we're creating a level playing field for local enterprises to thrive in an increasingly digital world."

With more innovative products on the way, these guys are definitely ones to watch.

Astria Health in Yakima is totally killing it with their innovative healthcare tech! They're expanding their Behavioral Health Unit at Astria Toppenish Hospital, which is a huge deal for mental health care in the area.

And they just welcomed a new Family Nurse Practitioner to their team, showing they're serious about providing top-notch care.

MultiCare Yakima Memorial, formerly known as Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, is about to drop a whopping $50 million on a new EHR system.

Talk about a major upgrade! They've also been hiring like crazy, bringing on over 100 new nurses and 17 physicians/advanced practice providers since joining the MultiCare.

And Kittitas Valley Healthcare.

They've got this innovative new model for delivering top-notch OB care to rural areas. With a focus on efficiency and collaboration, they're making sure moms and babies in the Kittitas County area receive the best possible care, no matter what.

Check out EcoFuture Tech, the coolest startup in Yakima going all in on sustainable energy solutions. In 2024, they're totally making a real impact.

Their eco-mission is on point, pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box to create a future we can actually live with.

One of their standout products is the solar panel system that's crazy efficient, like 35% conversion rate which blows the competition out of the water.

More and more Yakima residents are getting on board with residential solar, up a whopping 27% from last year. And their urban-friendly wind turbines? Game-changer.

The city's carbon footprint dropped 12% compared to 2023, all thanks to EcoFuture's innovative designs.

But it's not just about the products, ya know? These guys are all about collaboration and building a sustainable future for real.

They've teamed up with local universities, the city council, and community organizations to make "Green Yakima" happen. We're talking solar panels on 75% of municipal buildings already, pushing towards running the entire city on renewable energy by 2030.

It's an ambitious goal, but Energy Solutions show it can be done.

The recognition EcoFuture Tech's getting says it all.

From top awards like the "EcoInnovator" and "Green Tech Visionary" honors, to their CEO Jennifer Perez's drive to "leave a greener legacy" with each innovative solution, this is a startup that gets what it takes to make a real difference.

In Yakima's thriving tech scene, EcoFuture is setting the bar for how it's done.

The Yakima Valley is absolutely killing it in the agritech game, and companies like BX are at the forefront of this revolution.

These innovators are tackling one of the biggest challenges facing orchardists - those massive burn piles of old trees. Instead of going up in smoke, BX wants to transform this waste into wealth by converting it into biochar and selling the carbon credits.

Mind-blowing, right?

The Valley is buzzing with startups like Orchard Robotics, which is deploying AI-powered camera systems to analyze every single fruit on over a million trees.

This cutting-edge tech helps farmers maximize their yields and produce more food for the world, all while being super efficient. It's like having a robotic orchard manager on steroids!

And let's not forget about the AI weed-killing drones that are set to revolutionize mega-farms.

These bad boys can identify and zap weeds with pinpoint accuracy, reducing herbicide use by a whopping 90%. It's like having a team of highly trained snipers protecting your crops from the evil weed army!

In Yakima's buzzing tech scene, there's a squad of young guns shaking things up with their approach to educational gaming. Code Warriors, a game dev studio started by a crew of passionate folks, has been turning heads with their innovative twist on learning through interactive experiences.

Their unique blend of immersive storytelling and gamified learning mechanics has earned them major kudos from top-notch tech festivals.

Leading the charge is their flagship game, "AdventureLab," an open-world educational adventure that plunges players into a captivating story while seamlessly weaving in STEM concepts and problem-solving challenges.

This game's success has been off the charts, racking up over 500,000 downloads across multiple platforms and an impressive 4.8-star rating from users worldwide.

In recognition of their game-changing work, Code Warriors snagged the "Best Educational Game" award at the prestigious GameCon 2024, cementing their status as industry trailblazers.

But they're not just slaying it in game dev; Code Warriors has joined forces with local schools, collaborating to create tailored experiences that align with curriculum standards.

This dynamic approach has yielded some seriously impressive results, with a recent study by Yakima Valley College showing a 25% boost in student engagement and a 17% improvement in STEM subject comprehension among classrooms using Code Warriors' games.

Reflecting on their journey, Code Warriors' CEO, Matthew Taylor, shared a quote that sums up their mission:

"We believe gaming has the power to transcend entertainment and become a catalyst for learning. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of innovators by making education an immersive and captivating experience."

With an unwavering commitment to their vision and an impressive track record of success, Code Warriors is set to shape the future of educational gaming, solidifying Yakima's rep as a tech innovation powerhouse.

FoodChain Connect is straight-up revolutionizing the food supply chain game with their slick logistics solutions.

This Yakima-based startup is making sure food gets from Point A to Point B faster, fresher, and with way less waste. Talk about a win-win for everyone involved!

The real MVP here is their tech platform that uses some serious algorithms, real-time data, and IoT sensors to optimize everything from routing to shipment monitoring.

A study by the Yakima Chamber of Commerce showed that FoodChain Connect's solutions helped cut food waste by a whopping 25% for their retail partners. That's a ton of savings and a huge win for the environment too.

But it's not just about Yakima – these guys are making moves nationwide.

FoodChain Connect has teamed up with some major retail players like Nationwide Grocers Inc., FreshMart Supermarkets, and Organic Emporium. They're optimizing logistics across thousands of distribution centers and stores, making sure perishable goods go from farm to table without any hiccups.

And the best part? They just scored a massive $18 million in Series B funding earlier this year, which means they're gearing up to take their food logistics game to even greater heights.

David Rodriguez, CEO of Nationwide Grocers Inc., summed it up perfectly: "FoodChain Connect's tech has been a total game-changer for us – less waste and fresher produce for our customers."

NextGen Robotics is straight-up revolutionizing the agricultural game here in Yakima! Their cutting-edge robotic tech is automating everything from planting to harvesting, boosting crop yields like crazy.

We're talking a 25% increase, according to the Yakima Valley Agricultural Institute. That's insane!

Their autonomous robotic platforms are built for precision tasks like:

1. Laser-focused planting and seed distribution
2. Automated weeding and real-time crop monitoring
3. Streamlined harvesting and sorting

This stuff is optimizing resource usage, slashing waste, and maximizing output.

Joseph Anderson, the CEO, says their mission is to hook farmers up with the latest robotic tech to tackle labor shortages, cut costs, and drive sustainable growth in agriculture.

NextGen Robotics is teaming up with local schools and universities to train the next generation of robotics experts.

They're offering hands-on programs, internships, and research opportunities to give students the skills they need to thrive in this booming industry. The Dean of Technology at Yakima Valley Community College says their partnership is opening up exciting career paths for students.

With their relentless drive for innovation and sustainability, NextGen Robotics is redefining agriculture not just in Yakima but nationwide.

As the demand for efficient food production skyrockets, their robotic solutions are paving the way for higher yields and a greener future.

These guys are just getting started!

SafeDrive Innovations is like the superhero of road safety, swooping in to save the day with their mind-blowing tech. This Yakima startup has been teaming up with local authorities to pilot some seriously game-changing solutions that are making our roads a whole lot safer.

At the core of their success is this AI-powered system that taps into real-time data from connected cars and sensors all over the place.

It's like having a crystal ball that can predict potential hazards before they even happen, allowing SafeDrive to take action and prevent accidents from happening.

A recent pilot program in Yakima County saw a massive 27% drop in collisions on monitored routes, according to a report from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

But that's not all, folks.

SafeDrive has been working closely with the City of Yakima to optimize traffic flow and keep pedestrians safe. By integrating their tech with the city's infrastructure, they've rolled out:

1. Smart crosswalks: equipped with sensors that can detect and alert both drivers and pedestrians when there's a potential conflict.
2. Dynamic speed limits: these adjust based on real-time traffic conditions and environmental factors, keeping things flowing smoothly.
3. Predictive maintenance algorithms: identify and address potential infrastructure issues before they become hazards, nipping problems in the bud.

This collaboration has been a total hit, with the Yakima Mayor's Office praising SafeDrive's solutions for not only making the roads safer but also paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.

They even said that SafeDrive's commitment to working hand-in-hand with the city has been invaluable.

As SafeDrive continues to expand their reach and partner with more counties and cities, the future of road safety in Washington is looking brighter than ever.

These guys are truly revolutionizing the game, and we can't wait to see what other mind-blowing innovations they come up with next.

Skyward Drones is killing the drone tech game in Yakima! In 2024, they've dropped some crazy advancements that are shaking up industries left and right.

• Hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Drones: These hybrids blend fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones, rocking extended flight times and insane payload capacities. Perfect for massive industrial jobs!
• Advanced Swarm Intelligence: Skyward's swarm tech is mind-blowing! Multiple drones coordinate seamlessly, tackling complex missions in agriculture, search and rescue ops, and environmental monitoring like bosses.
• Autonomous Drone Fleet Management: Their software is a game-changer, streamlining the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of entire drone fleets. Talk about optimizing efficiency and cutting down on human intervention!

These innovations have unlocked a world of applications across different sectors.

In agriculture, their drones are a farmer's best friend, nailing precision crop monitoring, targeted spraying, and yield optimization. The construction crews are all over their tech for site surveying, progress tracking, and material delivery.

And let's not forget logistics, where their drones are making package delivery faster and more cost-effective.

But Skyward isn't just about the tech. They're giving back to the community that raised them by partnering with local schools to promote STEM education and inspire the next wave of innovators.

As their CEO put it,

"We believe in nurturing a culture of innovation and giving back to the community that has supported our growth."

Check out Nucamp's article on the challenges and strategies for tech startups in Yakima.

With their boundary-pushing mindset and commitment to positive change, Skyward Drones is solidifying Yakima's rep as a drone tech hotspot.

A startup that any self-respecting tech pro should be keeping tabs on!