Microsoft

Behind the Scenes: How One Company Won the Microsoft-Denoted World Cup Suite for a $100k Bid

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1 hour ago

May 21, 2026

Meet the company that won the Microsoft-donated World Cup suite with a $100k bid for a great cause – GeekWire

Seattle Tech Community Raises $100,000 for Seattle Children’s Hospital with World Cup Suite Auction

L-R: Michael Atalla, chief marketing officer at UiPath and Katie Fath, director of community giving at Seattle Children’s Hospital with John Cook, GeekWire co-founder and publisher. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop)

Seattle’s tech and business sectors teamed up to support Seattle Children’s Hospital in a significant way recently.

Microsoft generously donated a premium 2026 World Cup suite experience, which was auctioned off by GeekWire and raised an impressive $100,000 for the hospital.

UiPath, a prominent business orchestration and AI automation company with operations in Bellevue, Washington, emerged as the highest bidder for the suite.

The auction commenced at the GeekWire Awards, where Seattle Sounders FC captain Cristian Roldan and Microsoft deputy general counsel Brian DeFoe championed the cause on stage.

Seattle Sounders FC star Cristian Roldan, center, joins Brian Defoe, deputy general counsel at Microsoft, left, and GeekWire co-founder John Cook on stage at the GeekWire Awards. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)

Michael Atalla, UiPath’s chief marketing officer, expressed pride in supporting Seattle Children’s Hospital and emphasized the importance of community solidarity in making a difference.

UiPath, which currently employs 195 individuals in the Seattle region, recently expanded its presence in Bellevue. The company, headquartered in New York, has a global workforce of 4,800.

As a supporter of the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City, Microsoft contributed the suite to link the international event with local community involvement, transforming a sought-after experience into a charitable opportunity just ahead of the tournament.

Jane Broom, Microsoft’s senior director of community leadership, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in demonstrating the local business community’s commitment to long-term community welfare.

The auction not only showcased the tech and business sectors coming together but also underscored the philanthropic spirit of the region as the World Cup approaches.

The 2026 World Cup commences in North America on June 11, with Seattle hosting its first match on June 15 between Egypt and Belgium.

UiPath secured the winning bid for the final Seattle match on July 6, a round of 16 knockout stage game. The participating teams for this match are yet to be determined, with the possibility of the U.S. Men’s National Team competing if they progress in the tournament.