New York is brimming with opportunities. The tech industry is no exception.
While the San Francisco area is widely known as the epicenter of tech, New York is creeping on its heels when it comes to investor dollars. According to data from Crunchbase, the Bay Area accounted for 37 percent of the year’s venture dollars in the United States as of October 2021, while New York only received 17 percent — but as more growth investors compete with venture capitalists to support startups, that gap closes. The same study found that growth investor deal volume went from the Bay Area holding a roughly 100 percent lead over New York between 2016 and 2019, to an almost equal proportion between the two regions in 2021.
Several major tech players are continuing to invest in the region, as well. In 2021, Google announced it would spend $2.1 billion to acquire 1.7 million square feet of office space in Manhattan. In 2020, TikTok signed a ten year lease to take over 232,000 square feet of prime real estate in the heart of Times Square. And both Facebook and Apple expanded their New York offices by leasing significant spaces in Manhattan. While the city may have been hit early by the pandemic, it’s clear that the tech industry has wasted no time in not only recovering, but continuing to build the region into a powerhouse.
This month, Built In is highlighting four industry leaders across the Big Apple who are focusing on people, growth and game-changing tech. The best part? They’re all hiring!
What they do: Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design and software engineering to support enterprise clients as modern digital businesses. The company offers digital transformation, data strategies and more to ensure clients keep pace with the ever-changing technological landscape.
Prioritizing diversity: With dedicated diversity and inclusion staff, unconscious bias training and employee resource groups, Thoughtworks listens to its people to prioritize DEI in all aspects of its culture. The company has implemented hiring practices that promote diversity and has a highly diverse management team.
Notable perks: Thoughtworks focuses on a people-first culture, offering company outings, beer on tap, a fully stocked kitchen and a game room. Along with generous PTO and seven paid sick days per year, the company also offers a 12-week paid sabbatical after 10 years of employment.
What they do: Snap is a mobile software company reinventing how people create, communicate and express themselves. The parent company of social media platform Snapchat and character app Bitmoji, Snap works to contribute to human progress by reconsidering what is possible with a camera.
In the news: This month, Snap partnered with Verizon to debut an augmented reality Snapchat Lens, inspired by the performance “O” by Cirque du Soleil. Exclusively available to Verizon customers, the lens allows users to explore the renowned Las Vegas performance while showcasing Snap's innovative augmented reality technology.
Culture of appreciation: Built In previously spoke to Michele Nevitt, Snap’s sales manager of advisor solutions, about how the team recognizes each other’s work. “It’s important to celebrate everyone’s contributions,” she said. “To that end, we take time out of every team meeting to highlight wins, both big and small.”
What they do: Handshake is an edtech platform connecting college students and alumni with more than 650,000 employers. Founded in 2013, the company works to bridge the career opportunity gap between students across the country, partnering with colleges, bootcamps and minority-serving institutions to ensure that students from all backgrounds have equal access to meaningful careers.
Big funds: In January 2022, Handshake announced that it had secured $200 million in a Series F funding round led by Coatue Management and Valiant Peregrine Fund with participation from Base10’s Advancement Initiative, raising the company’s valuation to $3.5 billion. Handshake stated that this new capital will fuel its next phase of growth both in the U.S. and internationally, and propel new ventures to help users earn credentials and job-ready skills.
Hiring goals: Handshake is currently hiring for 66 positions across the organization, including roles in data and analytics, design, marketing and engineering. The company doubled its headcount to 500 people in 2021. And with substantial new capital under its belt, it is unlikely to stop growing any time soon!
What they do: NS1 is a software company working to unlock the potential in domain name systems (DNS). Founded in 2013, NS1 created a platform for traffic management software that serves enterprise-level companies in a wide variety of industries.
Exciting growth: In February 2022, NS1 announced that 2021 represented its eighth consecutive year of annual recurring revenue growth, earning the company a spot on the 2021 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list. Less than two weeks later, NS1 announced the expansion of its executive team, including Dawn Glamm as senior vice president of engineering and operations, Reggie Best as vice president of product management and marketing, and Bill Lapcevic as senior vice president of business development.
Focus on inclusion: NS1 honored Black History Month by highlighting different content and media by Black creators. The company also plans to launch a mentorship program to enable diverse employees to find professional development support within the organization. “We believe in providing our employees from underrepresented backgrounds the tools to have a place, a path and a voice at the company,” Office Manager Rebecca James previously told Built In.
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