The year is 1897, and Los Angeles is about to be captured on film — the very art form and industry that has come to define the city — for the first time. Shot by Frederick Blechynden, the brief series of moving images lacks the characteristics commonly associated with the city nowadays. Well, for the most part.
There are no palm trees, beaches or Spanish missions. But there is street traffic, and that’s basically it — 25 seconds of traffic. For those who have suffered on the 405, Blechynden could be considered a visionary ahead of his time.
A few decades later, in the 1930s, massive technological strides were being made in an entirely different industry. In Pasadena, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory was setting the stage for robotic missions to explore space in a way many at the time couldn’t fathom.
Then in the late 60s, the first pre-internet message was sent from UCLA to Stanford, setting the stage for the online services we use in nearly every aspect of our lives to this day.
The two industries — technology and film — each have significant track records for innovation in LA. But while LA’s film industry has become its defining feature, its tech industry remains strong, yet overlooked, compared to Palo Alto and Silicon Valley. Still, according to Telstra, LA is the third largest mega-hub for tech in the United States.
As tech startups and innovative companies seek to carry this spirit of innovation forward, seven companies stand out due to their unique missions and supportive benefits. Built In LA delved into what makes them noteworthy.
What Medely does: Medely, the largest labor marketplace for short- and long-term healthcare jobs, helps professionals instantly connect with high-quality healthcare jobs.
Notable perks and benefits
- Full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid industry certifications
- Highly diverse management team
- Flexible work schedule
Team camaraderie: In 2022, Built In LA interviewed Front-End Software Engineer Brennah Oaks about what distinguishes working at Medely. “There is no micromanaging here. We all rely on each other, and each person’s input is welcomed regardless of title. We believe that everyone can learn from everyone. This atmosphere of trust and respect fosters creativity and unity” Brennah explained.
What Artera does: Artera is a digital SaaS health company that delivers a simple, cohesive communications experience to patients while reducing the workload for staff. The company’s platform can be integrated with existing tech stacks.
Notable perks and benefits
- $0 co-pay for in-network mental health visits and free access to Ginger
- Up to 16 weeks of parental leave for all parents
- Remote-friendly, hybrid work environment
- Individual learning stipend
A unifying mission: SVP of Product Isabelle Meyer Stapf shared what guides and connects Artera’s passionate employees in a 2022 interview with Built In LA. “Our whole team exudes passion and focus for our shared mission — to make healthcare the no. 1 in customer service. We work to accomplish this by building and empowering our product and engineering teams to be highly curious problem solvers.”
What TigerConnect does: Santa Monica-based healthtech company TigerConnect’s cloud-based products enable customers to automate clinical workflows, expedite the decision-making process and improve patient outcomes.
Notable perks and benefits
- Flexible start and end times
- One-to-one, cross-department and leadership mentoring programs
- Customized development tracks
- Paid volunteer time
Purposeful work: TigerConnect products have an impact on one of the most important things in life: healthcare quality. “The things we work on on a daily basis impact thousands of hospitals across the country. We care about making the best product and not just checking boxes,” explained Lead Android Engineer Cary Dobeck in a 2022 interview with Built In LA.
What Zest AI does: Zest AI is a fintech software company that applies machine learning to credit underwriting, allowing companies to automate compliance, reduce risk and increase revenue.
Notable perks and benefits
- Completely flexible work hours outside of core hours
- A wide range of programs, including management and leadership development
- 401(k) matching up to 4 percent of base salary
- Robust healthcare plans
Effective leadership: Built In LA recently talked to VP of Product Nidhi Mykletun about leadership and management skills in this recent interview. “Observe and talk to great managers and their teams to understand what makes them so effective. Ask them about the best boss they’ve ever had."
What Mythical Games does: Blockchain company Mythical Games is a game technology studio that aims to bring verified digital ownership of assets within video games.
Notable perks and benefits
- Unlimited PTO
- Company equity
- Home office stipend for remote employees
- Paid industry certifications
What employees say: Mythical Games team members work at the intersection of gaming and blockchain. Seven employees have described what makes the company a great place to work on their review section on Built In LA. “Every day I get a chance to use and develop data solutions to solve questions and discover new avenues for a business that is at the forefront of a new industry,” said Analytics Engineer Alec.
What MasonHub does: MasonHub is a fulfillment technology and services company that unites SaaS, hands-on account management and a fulfillment center network.
Notable perks and benefits
- Performance bonuses and company equity
- Mentorship program
- 50 percent diverse management team and 75 percent diverse board members
- Flexible work schedule
Inside the product team: What helps the product team at MasonHub to create great user experiences? “Agility is more than a methodology. It’s a philosophy that enables MasonHub to build flexible fulfillment products and adapt to support the quickly-changing retail landscape,” said Head of Product Patrick Richardson in a 2022 interview with Built In LA
What Regard does: Regard, one of Built In’s Best Places to Work in 2023, is a healthtech company focused on streamlining physician workflows by synthesizing historical patient data, automating note-taking and recommending diagnosis.
Notable perks and benefits
- Equity options
- $10,000 team member referral bonus for engineer roles
- Company-sponsored housing minutes from headquarters
- Tuition reimbursement
Growth-oriented culture: Built In LA recently chatted with VP of Clinical Operations Francisco Alvarez to hear more about Regard’s development opportunities and support. “The company really pushes you to grow as a person and a professional and also recognizes that, as part of that growth, there are going to be things you are learning and that’s OK.”
