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New fund has $20M to spur university startups

The Seattle area's newest venture-capital fund has a distinct purple-and-gold tinge.

The W Fund, which aims to channel seed money to startups founded on research from the University of Washington and other state universities and institutions, officially launches today after months of behind-the-scenes fundraising.

Backers see it as a way to help create new businesses — and new jobs.

The fund has raised an initial $10.6 million from 44 investors, according to regulatory filings.