Statistics say that the average millennial will have around fifteen careers in their lifetime. Not jobs — careers. The reasons why are many, including economic conditions, job expectations, travel attitudes, the digital mindset — the list goes on.
In Los Angeles there are so many interesting jobs to be had at genuinely cool companies that it’s hard for a person to choose. That’s where we come in. These seven hand-picked tech companies are doing particularly interesting things in their industries — and they all just happen to be hiring.
Industry: Adtech
HQ: El Segundo
Funding: $60M
Prodege’s diverse portfolio of companies share one thing in common: they help people save money. The company launched Swagbucks and added MyPoints and ShopAtHome through acquisitions, which have found an avid, engaged following among smart, tech-savvy consumers. Companies also come to Prodege for help with engagement and native growth. Prodege’s cash-back endeavors have provided more than 60 million members more than $600 million in value since the company launched in 2005. And with around $60 million raised, the company is investing in and growing its team.
If you’re looking for a company that offers consumers the opportunity to bring more value to their day-to-day lives, you’ll find it at Prodege.”
Inside scoop:
“If you’re looking for a company that offers consumers the opportunity to bring more value to their day-to-day lives, you’ll find it at Prodege. We rely on our team of passionate and driven employees to push our product and technology forward as we rethink the way our members engage with brands, providing ‘Rewarding Moments’ for all involved,” said Josef Gorowitz, Prodege’s founder and president.
Industry: Digital media
Location: Venice
Funding: $16M
Influencers and celebrities talk publicly all the time — but unless you are also a celebrity or influencer, they’re not speaking to you. Cameo changes that dynamic. The company built a platform where fans can book personalized shoutouts from their favorite celebrities, athletes and influencers. You know, the people we love to feel like we know from afar. For as little as $10 you can book a personalized video message from them — literally a message to you, the watcher — from pet celebs, YouTube stars, models, athletes, comedians or any number of other well-known public figures. The company is small and scrappy but growing, and much like fame, their influence is only growing.
We have an obsessive focus on shipping value to our users.”
Inside scoop:
“The reason we’ve grown so fast and so consistently is because we have an obsessive focus on shipping value to our users. If you want to make a huge impact for millions of users, using the latest tech, then we’ve saved a seat for you on the rocket ship,” shared Devon Townsend, Cameo’s CTO and co-founder.
Industry: E-commerce + Fashion
HQ: Santa Monica
Funding: $62.6M
James Bond wears tuxedos and he makes everything look easy. But you know what isn’t easy? Renting a tux. That is, until The Black Tux opened shop. The Santa Monica-based e-retailer offers high-quality suit rentals online without the hassle of a trip to the tailor or tux shop. Founded in 2013, the company was created by a groomsman who was frustrated by the process of renting a tux. The Black Tux has seen massive growth in recent years, raising more than $62 million to date. Unsurprisingly, they’re hiring. A lot.
I believe leadership can happen at any level of an organization, and I like to find folks who have the ability or potential to be a leader.”
Inside scoop:
“Skills can be taught, so during interviews, I look for what I call the three Qs: IQ, EQ, and LQ. IQ is of course smarts. EQ is a gauge of a person’s emotional intelligence, such as self-awareness or the ability to influence and collaborate with team members. LQ is something that most folks haven’t heard of. It stands for Leadership Quotient. I believe leadership can happen at any level of an organization, and I like to find folks who have the ability or potential to be a leader,” said The Black Tux’s chief product officer, Thad Hwang.
Industry: Digital media + E-commerce
HQ: Santa Monica
Funding: $406.7M
You’d never know it, but Leaf Group has helped build some of the internet’s most popular brands. The media company's portfolio includes Well+Good, Hunker, Society6, Saatchi Art and the MyPlate app, among others. If you’re a frequent Googler of health and wellness-related questions such as “Can IT bands be overstretched” or “Can eating carrots really turn you orange?” or an artsy type who follows online mags like Saatchi Art or The Other Art Fair, you’ve likely encountered Leaf Group’s work. The company, which prides itself on the talent of its many teams, went public in 2011 and hasn’t slowed down since.
Look for a company and a team that you want to join. Once you find it, take any job they offer you.”
Inside scoop:
“Look for a company and a team that you want to join. It should be a place where you will learn and be excited. Once you find it, take any job they offer you,” shared Brian Pike, who serves as Leaf Group’s CTO and COO.
Industry: Digital media + E-commerce
HQ: Downtown LA
Local headcount: 300
Founded in 2007, HauteLook was acquired by Nordstrom in 2011 and has since become one of the nation’s leaders in online, off-price retail. The company, which is based in Downtown Los Angeles, boasts over 31 million members and billions of page views every year. HauteLook employees specialize in everything from design and fashion to marketing and engineering, tackling common problems of fashion and e-commerce, like payments and logistics, with fresh approaches and cutting-edge technology. And their tech stack is just as fresh as their denim selection.
We look for three basic attributes in an engineer: execution, critical thinking and judgement.”
Inside scoop:
“As a technology team, our goal is to deliver a delightful customer shopping experience through people, process and technology. We look for three basic attributes in an engineer: execution, critical thinking and judgement. In return, we offer the chance to be part of a learning environment that provides good work-life balance while operating at scale,” shared HauteLook’s VP of Engineering, Herman Radtke.
Industry: Cloud + Mobile
HQ: Downtown LA
Local headcount: 40
INTELITY is solving complex technical problems for some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry; a market not often heralded for its tech-forward approach. The company, which merged with KEYPR in 2018, has developed a suite of cloud-based guest engagement and staff management solutions that handle both customer experience and staff operations. Their platform can be accessed via mobile and web apps and is tied to hardware components including smart keys, in-room tablets and casting devices. The Downtown LA-based company is growing fast — and so is their team.
With the speed of growth INTELITY is experiencing, we’re looking for talented, adaptable people.”
Inside scoop
“While it’s important for members of our team to possess technical acumen and experience, we also look for individuals who are passionate about their roles and committed to the company and our customers’ experience. With the speed of growth INTELITY is experiencing, we’re looking for talented, adaptable people who can support that growth and make our whole team stronger,” shared Jessica Aslanian, SVP of operations at INTELITY.
Industry: Fintech
HQ: Downtown LA
Perks: Game room, unlimited vacation and more
SoLo Funds connects lenders and borrowers for small loans. The company deals in loans under $1,000 and offers borrowers additional guidance in the form of financial literacy courses, budgeting tools and more. More than 60,000 people have gotten through financially tricky times on their own terms using SoLo, making it a safe alternative to a payday loan. The mission-driven company was founded in 2015 in the heart of Downtown LA and prides itself on being the kind of place where employees can get creative and test their limits.
We're looking for engineers who are masters of code and product focused.”
Inside scoop:
“We're looking for engineers who are masters of code and product focused. People who are passionate about the mission of the company, and yes, know their way around a ping pong table. At SoLo, you'll be hands-on building something that delights customers and creates real meaning in their lives,” shared Jon Blackwell, chief product officer at SoLo.
