Spring is in bloom, welcoming a season of exciting opportunities for adventure and newfound growth — not only in nature but also within the tech landscape.
Ditch the winter coat and tackle spring cleaning, but don’t forget to take advantage of all the Bay Area offers. Whether it’s a stroll through a blooming park or beach trip to Half Moon Bay, the revitalizing energy of spring offers something for every desire and interest.
The tech sector, too, is experiencing its own form of spring awakening. Despite the challenges and uncertainty the tech sector faced in 2023, San Francisco remains a magnet for tech innovation.
According to Joint Venture Silicon Valley, the combined market cap of publicly traded companies in Silicon Valley and San Francisco reached a record-high $14 trillion in February. Meanwhile, Bay Area tech companies brought in $30 billion in venture capital funding last year.
Amid this setting, six companies stand out from the crowd.
Built In highlighted these companies to watch this spring, diving into the cultures, employee benefits and recent developments that make them unique.
What GRAIL does: Healthtech company GRAIL leverages high-intensity sequencing, population-scale clinical studies and computer and data science expertise to better understand cancer biology and develop products.
The Perks
- In-person all-hands meetings
- Volunteer time off
- Charitable contribution matching
Health equity: Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to GRAIL — not only for its company culture but also for its early cancer detection innovations. “Both our external and internal efforts converge on a shared commitment to DEI and health equity, creating a seamless connection between our organizational initiatives and our broader societal impact,” Director of DEI Rayshawnda Madison stated in an interview with Built In.
What JPMorgan Chase does: JPMorgan Chase is a global financial services firm offering solutions for consumers and businesses, investment and commercial banking, transaction processing and asset management.
The Perks
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Generous parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
Cutting-edge AI: JPMorgan Chase has secured the top position in the Evident AI Index for the second consecutive time, underscoring its leadership in AI adoption and performance within the financial services sector. “We are proud that our AI talent, insights and solutions were once again recognized as best-in-class, and we are committed to continuing to invest in these capabilities to help us serve our clients and communities better,” said Chief Data and Analytics Officer Teresa Heitsenrether.
What Sparrow does: HR tech company Sparrow combines innovative technology with a leave specialist team to help employers manage every step of the leave process.
The Perks
- Return-to-work program post parental leave
- Home-office stipend for remote employees
- Pet-friendly office environment
Open to ideas: At Sparrow, the collaborative and inclusive culture allows for a seamless exchange of knowledge. “From day one, I was absorbing insights from top-tier scientists and engineers and was able to contribute my own insights,” said Associate Software Engineer Efua Mensah-Brown while reflecting on the supportive and enriching company culture in a recent Built In Q&A.
What Course Hero does: Course Hero is an online learning platform that provides over 60 million course-specific study resources, including practice problems, study guides, videos and class notes.
The Perks
- Volunteer in local community
- Unlimited vacation policy
- Company-sponsored outings
Understanding AI: Through informed training, Course Hero empowers educators to address apprehensions surrounding AI and harness technology to enhance educational practices. “When we first started, about a quarter of them said they didn’t feel prepared to teach with AI. By the end of the course, 90 percent were saying that they felt somewhat or fully prepared to use AI in the classroom,” said VP Sean Michael Morris.
What Ascend does: Ascend’s mission is to enable every organization to innovate faster by harnessing the power of automation.
The Perks
- Free daily meals
- Personal development training
- Company-wide vacation
Emerging tech: Ascend is on a mission to revolutionize how organizations leverage data and AI, emphasizing the transformative power of automation. “We’re doing this to bring tremendous benefit to our users — giving data teams more hours back in their day so that they can achieve more with less,” said Founder and CEO Sean Knapp during a 2023 Built In Q&A.
What Embroker does: Digital insurance company Embroker pairs technology with expertise to provide growing businesses with intelligent, tailored property and casualty insurance options.
The Perks
- Mentorship program
- Company-sponsored happy hours
- Performance bonus
Comprehensive protection: A new offering tailored to the financial services sector, aimed at addressing the specific risks its professionals face, has arrived on Embroker’s One platform. “Our Financial Services Program provides a clear solution to better protect these professionals and, in turn, their clients,” stated Chief Insurance Officer David Derigiotis, highlighting the program’s focus on delivering comprehensive protection against the unique challenges encountered by financial service providers.
