Take Note: 14 Los Angeles Companies to Watch This Fall

Autumn is unfolding in Los Angeles. Maybe you’re spending an afternoon apple-picking in Oak Glen, day-tripping to Big Bear Lake or building up the courage to attend Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. In between these autumn adventures, be sure to sit down with a pumpkin spice latte to catch up on the movers and shakers in your local tech scene — Built In LA has curated 14 noteworthy companies to get you started.

With $607 million raised by Los Angeles startups in August alone, many of the city’s tech employers are unveiling upgrades to the breadth, depth and inclusion of their culture and perks.

The Los Angeles-based companies featured below are special in many ways. But all 14 have one thing in common: They are unique, people-first organizations well worth keeping on your radar in the fall season ahead.

 

 

What Cash App does: Cash App makes transactions speedier and simplifies investing. The company started as a peer-to-peer payments platform and expanded functionalities to enable customers to spend, bank and invest on its secure app. 

 

 

Encouraging employee growth: In June, Cash App held its first career fair to provide a platform for employees to learn about development opportunities, including the company’s internal apprenticeship program. When speaking about the career fair to Built In LA, Dominique Bynes, talent development lead, said, “I want to make sure that we have a platform for our employees who are doing fantastic work, and to showcase the resources that we have. We are intentional about making sure our team has the opportunity to shift their careers if they see fit.” 

 

 

 

 

What ABL Space Systems does: ABL Space Systems is developing a reliable and rapid small satellite launch vehicle. The company was founded by Morgan Stanley alongside SpaceX veterans and serves high-level clients including NASA, Lockheed Martin, the United States Space Force and Amazon.

 

 

Aiming high: In July, ABL Space Systems successfully tested its RS1 rocket on Kodiak Island in Alaska, in preparation for its first flight attempt. In an article published by SpaceNews, Chief Executive Harry O’Hanley said, “The operation verified our startup sequence and stage level engine performance … a testament to our team’s intense preparation, we completed the test on the first attempt.”

 

 

 

What Miro does: The collaborative whiteboard platform that Miro powers enables teams to lead hybrid and remote brainstorming and planning sessions. These collaborations support complex projects such as product and service design, customer journey mapping and strategic marketing campaign planning. 

 

 

Value-minded hiring: “When you hire truly great talent, everything else will come together. And building a world-class team requires a diverse set of skills and perspectives,” VP of Global Sales Adam Carr told Built In LA last year. “At Miro, we encourage active participation in the hiring process at all stages, which helps us ensure that we are bringing on new people who have the same positive attitude and set of values as the rest of our team.”

 

 

 

What BCG Digital Ventures does: Entrepreneurial leaders have invented, launched and scaled innovative business ventures with the partnership of BCG Digital Ventures. As a branch of Boston Consulting Group, BCG was founded in 2014 to be “the world’s most impactful business builder.” 

 

 

Dedicated to DEI: “I try to ensure our DEI team encourages vulnerability and learning,” DEI Manager Kiera Vinson told Built In LA recently. “For example, our team holds weekly office hours where anyone can put time on our calendar to have confidential conversations about inclusion and equity in the workplace. We’ve also had coaching and advising conversations often centering around practices that support inclusive team and client dynamics, as well as how to create psychological safety on these teams.”

 

 

 

What Tala does: Tala’s digital financial services platform makes borrowing and saving money accessible to Android smartphone users in Kenya, Mexico, India and the Philippines. Understanding the constraints people face without a credit history, Tala’s credit infrastructure is open to everyone. The company is helping to power the future for entrepreneurs and business owners. 

 

 

Human-focused and data-driven: What makes Tala unique, CTO Kelly Uphoff told Built In LA in February, is “The fact that, not just our customers, but their stories, are front and center. Data is our secret sauce, but there is a constant recognition of the human beings and all their hopes and struggles that lie behind the data. That manifests itself in how we build our technology.” 

 

 

 

 

What Zwift does: Zwift provides a platform for runners and cyclists to engage in activities on their own or connect with others in group workouts, virtual meetups and at in-person events. The game-oriented workout experience encourages users to stay active and increase their intensity. 

 

 

Keeping users active: “Zwift, to me, is a casual massive multiplayer online video game where the user is part of the control system,” Senior Release Manager Lindsay Ruppert told Built In LA. “I’ve always been excited by games that are built on more physical involvement, like Dance Dance Revolution, so being involved in building a game that incentivizes physical activity in a virtual ecosystem has allowed me to continue working in the industry I love while also being proud of making a product that helps people get more active.”

 

 

 

What OpenX does: Through data insights and its cloud-based exchange, OpenX helps digital media companies optimize advertising efforts. The company prioritizes sustainability in its business model and operations, having achieved net-zero carbon emissions. 

 

 

In the news: In August, OpenX was announced as a preferred partner of Havas Media Group North America. The companies plan to work together to consolidate Havas Media Group’s clients’ online ad spend through OpenX’s programmatic advertising platform. “We look forward to working with Havas Media Group to create an unquestionably valuable advertising supply path for its clients as they seek to connect with their targets in ways that are beneficial to everyone, including people and the planet,” said John Gentry, CEO of OpenX, in a press release. 

 

 

 

What Sunbit does: With Sunbit’s buy now, pay later platform, retailers are able to offer flexible payment options no matter the customers’ credit. Since its founding in 2016, the company has worked with more than 14,000 locations, ranging from auto service centers to veterinarian clinics. 

 

 

In the news: Sunbit recently announced the launch of a new product: the Sunbit Card. The invitation-only, no-fee debit and credit card is connected to a mobile app and accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. 

 

 

 

What Puto TV does: Pluto TV provides free streaming television programming and an on-demand library of movies, documentaries and sports. The ad-supported platform is watched by audiences on any device. 

 

 

Teamwide commitment: “I am continuously impressed by the team’s passion and dedication, and I appreciate my teammates’ maturity and their commitment to bringing people together for a common purpose,” Senior Director of Technical Program Management Michelle Rhee told Built In LA. 

 

 

 

 

What Autograph does: The NFT platform provides a space for fans to engage with digital collections and experiences that emerge from Autograph’s partnerships with professional athletes and entertainers. Co-founded by Super Bowl champ Tom Brady, the company received $170 million in a Series B round of funding earlier this year. 

 

 

In the news: In August, Autograph announced a new product, Signature Experiences, which is designed as an NFT-based fan club. The first experience is in collaboration with Tom Brady, and customers who purchased season tickets for the experience will have access to in-person watch parties, NFTs and an opportunity to meet the celebrity. 

 

 

 

What MasonHub does: Retail industry veterans, familiar with the logistical challenges and outdated technology common in order management, developed a user-friendly platform to help retailers streamline their fulfillment needs. MasonHub provides clients with full transparency, control and fast response times to keep operations running smoothly.  

 

 

Matching passion with purpose: “MasonHub’s end-to-end solution is very tailored toward beauty and wellness brands. Because of this, it is important that our sales team is made up of individuals who are uniquely passionate about this industry,” Head of Sales and Account Management Melissa Oliver told Built In LA in April. “As avid consumers in this space, they have a true understanding of how the fulfillment, delivery and unboxing experience of a brand can influence customer satisfaction and repeat purchase.”

 

 

 

What Deep 6 AI does: Defeating disease with data is the mission at Deep 6 AI. The company’s artificial intelligence platform helps medical professionals identify oncology, cardiology and cancer patients who may be good candidates for clinical trials. 

 

 

Improving lives with AI: “We’re integrating our technology into tools physicians use every day,” Software Engineering Manager Jeff Skelton told Built In LA. “What we’re building matters and helps people. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

 

 

 

What Spring Labs does: By employing blockchain technology, Spring Labs is helping businesses verify identities and share information. The company’s decentralized solutions enable clients to reduce compliance risks and protect their consumers’ data. 

 

 

Who Spring Labs looks to hire: The best candidates are those who thrive in a culture where everyone acts as owners, empowers and trusts others, and executes at a high level of collaboration and performance. Candidates should be committed to the mission and culture and humble with the desire to grow and share their expertise. 

 

 

 

What Redgate Software does: Redgate Software develops solutions to solve database challenges and streamline the work of development, operations and IT leaders. More than 90 percent of the Fortune 100 use the company’s tools. 

 

 

Prioritizing professional development: “I feel really lucky and grateful for the personal and professional development opportunities at Redgate and all the talented people I work with,” Strategic Account Executive Knarik Manukyan told Built In LA. “The amount of technical and sales training and the support and encouragement I received — and still do — from my managers and peers has been critical to my success.”