Los Angeles has always been fertile ground for dreamers, and the city’s tech scene is no exception. Whether a groundbreaking new startup, an impressive acquisition or simply some really cool new solutions, techies can always count on something special springing up.
Keeping up with the talented teams of LA can be a challenge, which is why we’ve highlighted 12 local companies that are building exciting tools and changing the status quo.
What they do: Pluto TV is a free live television service. With over 100 channels to choose from, users can watch TV, movies and internet videos on any device, anywhere in the world.
Local presence: Pluto TV may be available to viewers everywhere, but its HQ is located near West Hollywood — and all of the fun shops and restaurants that come with it.
A word from the CEO: According to Co-Founder and CEO Tom Ryan, the team at Pluto TV may have the best of both worlds: the resources and backing of a large company (Viacom) balanced with the feel of a startup. “We’re able to work on problems that impact tens of millions of users and do so on a team that’s small enough that your handprint is on the products you’re building.”
What they do: Newegg is an e-commerce site that puts the latest PC hardware, gaming and household electronics into the hands of consumers all over the globe. Since it was founded in 2001, Newegg says it has built a loyal following of tens of millions of registered users.
Local presence: Newegg’s California hub is nestled in the aptly named Industry City, located east of LA.
Find a new role at Newegg: The company is on the move and looking to fill nearly 50 positions. While nearly every team is looking to expand, Newegg is particularly keen to grow its finance, marketing, HR and sales teams.
What they do: FabFitFun is a lifestyle subscription service that connects over 1 million people to new wellness, fitness and beauty brands each season.
Local presence: Located in trendy West Hollywood, FabFitFun is a quick jaunt away from hotspots like The Grove, The Beverly Center and a spread of must-visit eateries.
Try a new role on for size: FabFitFun is growing fast and hiring across multiple teams like engineering, marketing, product and more.
What they do: ChowNow aims to support local restaurants through its software, which helps make online ordering, marketing tools and loyalty programs a breeze.
Local presence: Located in Playa Vista, ChowNow’s HQ is conveniently positioned near freeways, the airport and a bevy of fellow tech companies.
Employee buzz: “At ChowNow, we give all of our employees, regardless of their department, the chance to be involved in product development,” Chief Product Officer Emmy Yardley said in January. “We find great value in adding multiple perspectives to the mix and encourage everyone to pitch us if they have an idea.”
What they do: Core Digital Media is out to empower people financially. Maybe you’ve heard of its websites MyWalletJoy.com, PolicyPilot.com and LowerMyBills.com? Each one is intended to educate users and help them make better financial decisions.
Local presence: Core Digital Media’s offices are in Playa Vista. Close to major freeways and the beach? Now that’s California dreamin’.
Employee buzz: “Even though we’ve been around the block, we still very much operate with that scrappy, startup demeanor,” Web Developer Garron Ma said. “Every voice can be heard, every idea acknowledged. We’re driven to win. Any victory or milestone we achieve, no matter the magnitude, is celebrated. I believe the opportunities are ripe for the taking.”
What they do: Fair is a fintech company with one mission: Make car buying a task users can do entirely over a mobile phone. With Fair’s app, those looking for a new car can shop, get approved and purchase a car — all they need is a driver’s license and a bank account.
Local presence: Fair’s HQ is located in the heart of Santa Monica, right off the freeway and steps away from the pier.
Emphasis on belonging: Fair is hiring, and they want to ensure every team member, new or seasoned, feels at home. That’s why they’ve launched employee resource groups, unconscious bias training, a public diversity manifesto and perks for parents so everyone feels like they belong.
What they do: BCG Digital Ventures is a consulting firm that partners with companies to build and scale new digital businesses.
Local presence: The BCG Digital Ventures office is posted up in the tech hub of Segundo, just a couple of miles from the beach.
Global outlook: Los Angeles isn’t the only spot BCG Digital Ventures calls home. The company has 11 locations around the world, in cities like Berlin, Paris, Shanghai, New York and Tokyo.
Looking to grow: Heads up! The company is looking to add talent to its design, UX, HR and product teams.
What they do: Zest AI’s machine learning software was built to help lenders make better decisions. Through the use of big data, Zest AI strives to make credit underwriting more compliant, yield higher revenue for lenders and reduce risk.
Local presence: Zest AI is located down the street from the famous Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank — and conveniently close to the freeway. Oh, and they offer free parking.
Learn and grow: Looking to grow your career in meaningful ways? Zest wants that, too. By offering perks like tuition reimbursement, lunch and learns, customized development tracks and reimbursements for conferences, Zest aims to provide employees with the tools they need to sharpen their skills and advance ambitious professional goals.
What they do: VectorUSA builds data, voice and video networks for schools, hospitals, terminals and more.
Breezy commute: VectorUSA’s office is located in Torrance, Calif., conveniently close to the freeway.
Fast facts: Founded in 1988, VectorUSA has grown to over 300 employees based in California and around the globe. Currently, they’re looking for top talent to fill open roles on the operations, engineering, project management and sales teams.
What they do: CCC builds products for the automotive, insurance and repair industries that aim to help customers innovate faster with its AI and cloud technology.
Local presence: CCC has locations throughout the U.S. and China. In the greater Los Angeles area, the company calls Cerritos home.
By the numbers: Over 300 insurers lean on CCC’s software to streamline their processes. That’s resulted in more than $1 trillion (with a “T”) in claims processed using the company’s tech.
What they do: Dray Alliance builds technology to improve port logistics. The company aims to provide much-needed updates to the logistics and trucking industries through better visibility and clear data.
Local presence: Located in downtown Long Beach, Dray Alliance boasts close proximity to the beach, The Pike Outlets and scores of choice restaurants.
Tech tools: The product and engineering team turns to cutting-edge tech, like Javascript, Golang, SQL, React Native, Node.js and more, to build the best logistics tools.
What they do: Founded by A-listers Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Hello Bello is an e-commerce company dedicated to providing natural, plant-based baby products at affordable price points.
Local presence: Hello Bello is located directly on the Pacific Palisades beach, offering the team oceanfront views and easy access to the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
Big perks: The company covers 100 percent of medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as stipends for remote employees, annual bonuses, donation matching, unlimited PTO and other cushy benefits.
