Summer Tech Watch: 26 National Enterprises to Know

Summer is finally here. Maybe you’re setting out to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, summiting peaks in the Rocky Mountains, checking off as many Major League Baseball stadiums as time allows or searching for the best lobster roll the Northeast has to offer. 

Wherever your summer takes you, it’s worth making some time to catch up on the movers and shakers in the national tech scene — and Built In has curated 26 noteworthy enterprises to get you started.

The tech industry in the United States carries an economic value of more than $1.8 trillion, and 5.8 million employees were working for technology companies at the end of 2021 — a number that’s expected to increase by 2.4% this year. 

The enterprises featured here are unique in many ways, but all 26 have one thing in common: They are exciting, people-first organizations worth keeping on your radar in the summer ahead.

 

 

 

What they do: AlphaSights connects investment and business leaders with a dynamic network of industry professionals whose informed perspectives help clients make investment and business decisions. The company’s distributed team offers a truly global perspective, with offices in the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

 

 

Teams with tools to succeed: “Despite joining off-cycle, the professional development team prepared a thorough onboarding plan that included a series of introductions to the wider team,” Senior Product Manager Ronier Zalnieriunas told Built In NYC this April. “As I worked my way through individually meeting product managers, designers, engineers and strategists, I could see the passion and drive in my new colleagues and began to envision my place within the team. Surrounding myself with ambitious people is the reason I chose AlphaSights, and I immediately saw this quality in my new teammates.”

 

 

 

What they do: Aristocrat is a gaming company that utilizes artificial intelligence, information technology and more. Its diverse range of products and services includes electronic gaming machines, social gaming and casino management systems. 

 

 

Well-being warriors: When Built In Austin sat down with Aristocrat earlier this year, Senior Director of People and Culture Jennifer Ilsley shared her thoughts on the company’s commitment to mental health and well-being. “There are links to internal and external resources on our internal company website to help employees focus on their well-being relating to mental and physical health, community, career and social goals,” Ilsley said. “Our global employee support fund offers financial assistance to employees who have experienced an unforeseen life-changing financial hardship.”

 

 

 

What they do: BCG Digital Ventures is the digital business-building arm of the Boston Consulting Group. The company produces two innovation-focused podcasts: Buildcast and Same Same but Tech. 

 

 

Who they’re hiring: BCG Digital Ventures is looking to add to its development and engineering team, along with filling some additional openings in design and UX.

 

 

 

 

What they do: CCC Intelligent Solutions is an artificial intelligence company that aims to reshape the auto and casualty insurance, auto manufacturing, collision repair and parts industries. With a customer-centered focus on connection, CCC uses AI-powered data insights, machine learning, IoT and telematics to reimagine the claims process. 

 

 

Industry innovation: When Built In Austin sat down with CCC in January, Director of Product Management Sowjanya Padmanabhuni spoke about the value of their disruptive product. “Our very first deep learning model helped us realize what could be achieved by training our AI with photos. With just a single photo, the model was able to predict the outcome of whether a vehicle was a total loss or not. This was the ‘aha moment’ for us that opened the door to new possibilities,” Padmanabhuni said. “We recently launched our first straight-through processing product that helps insurance carriers estimate damages in seconds, allowing drivers to advance quickly to their next steps like repair scheduling or settlement.”

 

 

 

What they do: Chewy is an online destination for anyone with a pet and provides personalized service alongside the pricing and convenience of e-commerce. Its 24 warehouses keep a selection of more than 100,000 products including in-house brands and prescription pet food and medication.

 

 

Customer first: “Each discussion starts by asking, ‘What is the customer problem we are trying to solve?’ rather than, ‘What does this mean to Chewy?’” Maheswari Govindaraju, director of product and analytics, told Built In Boston in 2020. “Being customer-first is not just one of our operating principles on paper, but also the core of our company.” 

 

 

 

What they do: Citadel Securities is a Chicago-based investment company with a Manhattan location. The firm was founded in 1990 by billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, who also serves as CEO, just three years after he began trading from his Harvard dorm room. 

 

 

Who they’re hiring: Citadel Securities is looking to add members to its teams in data and analytics, development and engineering, marketing and HR and recruiting.

 

 

 

What they do: CNA insures companies including technology, life sciences, real estate and healthcare. The company protects their physical and digital assets and defends against cyber and information risk. Each business is analyzed in order to curate the best solutions for full protection. 

 

 

Diverse perspectives: “I enjoy working with an extremely talented team. This data science group has diverse backgrounds, from actuaries to teachers to linguists, which enables us to get different points of view on our projects,” Bill Stergiou, AVP of data science, told Built In Chicago in April. “Our team is lucky to be able to work on interesting challenges that require out-of-the-box thinking.”

 

 

 

What they do: Dynatrace offers comprehensive automation and intelligence solutions to companies around the world. Even with 3,600 team members, Dynatrace is home to a supportive, team-oriented culture. “My peers never hesitate to praise each other’s work and share tips and tricks. It’s an amazing personal and professional support system,” said Raf Rodriguez, a sales development representative team lead.

 

 

Room to grow: “By letting go of perfectionism, I find myself to be more creative,” Sandi Larsen, vice president of security solutions, told Built In Boston in May. “Adopting more of a growth mindset allows you to work hard, excel and be the best you can be. Your contributions do not have to be perfect to be valuable.”

 

 

 

What they do: Freshworks’s purpose is in its name — to deliver a fresh approach to software as a service. Founded in 2010 and based in Denver, Freshworks provides customer engagement software that’s designed for the end user. Employees create tech ranging from project management platforms to marketing products that are easy to implement for everyone: IT, customer service, sales, marketing and HR teams alike. 

 

 

Live and breathe culture: “Company culture is at the root of how we operate across all levels within the organization and extends through to our current and future customers. Our vision is to ‘enable businesses to create customers for life,’” Andrew Robeson, director of business development, North America, told Built In in January 2021. “Beyond mere words, Freshworks culture is not simply talked about, but lived and breathed daily. As a result, the customers, employees, products and ultimately our performance all benefit.”

 

 

 

 

What they do: Getty Images delivers compelling visual content to publishers, brands and creatives. Company-operated photo sources include gettyimages.com, istockphoto.com and unsplash.com. 

 

 

A caring team environment: “At Getty Images, people genuinely care about each other. There is always a chance for you to find a good friend here that truly cares about your well-being and your development — and how that all falls into the context of the company,” said Anis Zarei, senior manager of development, marketing operations. 

 

 

 

What they do: GoHealth is a health insurance marketplace that makes it simpler to compare plans. With sights set on improving access to healthcare in the United States, the marketplace supports streamlined Medicare enrollment.

 

 

One ERG to note: “Women@TeamGoHealth is a group of employees dedicated to supporting and mentoring women in the workplace,” Lauren Blackburn, director of corporate communication, told Built In Chicago last year. “Our goal is to build friendships, develop careers and foster support among women employees. This may include providing social opportunities for women, creating opportunities for mentorship and establishing a forum for discussion of women’s issues in the workplace.”

 

 

 

What they do: H-E-B Digital creates digital products — for the households that shop at H-E-B, its partners who serve those households in tandem with H-E-B, the farmers that grow the product, and for the business functions that develop, source, package and sell food.

 

 

PRG power: Built In Austin sat down with Group Vice President of Talent Mayerland Harris in January, who spoke to H-E-B’s history of inclusion and belonging as a cultural framework evidenced by its thriving ERG program. “In 2021, we established our company-wide partner resource groups, or PRGs, which are formally known as affinity groups,” Harris shared. “My talent team built a strategic plan to ensure that DEIB was woven into everything we do for our partners, or employees. We built a statewide program that elevated our existing affinity groups and added commitments and goals into every aspect of our talent organization, from diversity recruiting practices to pay equity and developmental resources for partners to grow their careers.” 

 

 

 

What they do: Hoag is a Newport Beach-based healthtech company that uses digital tools to improve the patient experience at doctors’ offices and hospitals. Its strategies range from using virtual reality to help pregnant and postpartum patients develop meditation practices to applying AI in colonoscopy screenings. 

 

 

In the news: In May, Hoag unveiled Hoag Compass, an app that allows patients to schedule in-person or telehealth appointments, chat with doctors, review health records, check lab results, reorder prescriptions and more.

 

 

 

What they do: Home Chef is a pre-portioned meal delivery service that curates delicious meals with fresh ingredients and delivers them to doorsteps weekly. The platform for selecting meals is simple and intuitive, and the recipe cards are approachable for any skill level. 

 

 

Creating a place people want to stay: “We want Home Chef to be a great place for everyone to work — not just for our salaried teams or for one specific location. We want culture to take on a life of its own at each of our facilities,” Jasmine Primm, director of human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion, told Built In Chicago in March. “We’re constantly evaluating how and what we spend to grow and develop our people to retain them for longer.”

 

 

 

 

What they do: Indigo builds agricultural solutions that lower carbon emissions and improve profitability for farmers. Indigo utilizes plant microbes and agronomic insights while working across the supply chain to help sustainably feed the planet. The company is named for the plant genus Indigofera and its rich history, which embodies Indigo’s ambitious goals.

 

 

Curiosity, Drive and Communication: “The biggest attributes I look for in my candidates are curiosity, drive and communication skills,” Nicholas Malizia, senior director of marketplace data science, told Built In Boston last December. “While I expect a certain baseline of quantitative and scientific knowledge relevant to the position, to some degree, a particular programming language, method or analysis platform can be learned. Curiosity and drive are personality traits that people bring with them — they aren’t learned on the job.”

 

 

 

What they do: JPMorgan Chase is a global financial services firm involved in investment banking, commercial banking, asset management and more. 

 

 

Customers first: “At JPMorgan Chase, our customers are at the center of everything we do,” Gill Haus, chief information officer, told Built In NYC in February. “Chase’s product, data, design and technology teams work very closely to build and design digital products and services that help more than 60 million households make the most of their money.” 

 

 

 

What they do: Motorola Solutions develops communication, video and security technology solutions to keep communities and businesses safe. Its command center software provides both enterprises and public safety institutions with real-time intelligence and engagement capabilities. 

 

 

Supporting one another professionally: “We have several employee-led business councils, which provide professional and personal growth opportunities, impact business results and ensure diversity and inclusion are woven into the DNA of our company culture,” Kristin Kruska, corporate VP, transactions, corporate and securities law and secretary, told Built In Chicago last year. As a sponsor of the Women’s Business Council, Kruska said it was “created to help empower, develop and support the continued success of Motorola Solutions’ female employees through programming, mentorship, networking and philanthropic opportunities.”

 

 

 

 

What they do: Nordstrom is a fashion industry giant; founded in 1901 in Seattle, it now has more than 350 stores, including Nordstrom Rack. Customers can also shop online and through the Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack apps. The retailer’s digital platforms feature powerful tech to enhance the shopping experience.

 

 

Trendy tech: “It can be difficult to find a company that fully aligns with your values and also uses the latest technologies to keep your skills and experience current,” Senior Director of Engineering Sam Violette told Built In last September. “Nordstrom offers the best of both worlds. Our digital platforms are built using the latest tools and frameworks and are deployed at a massive scale across our brands. And despite that scale, we’re committed to extending the Nordstrom way of doing business to our digital channels. That means being transparent with our customers and making sure that when customers complete a purchase in our app, they’re left with the same amazing feeling they have when they leave our stores.”

 

 

 

What they do: Paylocity unifies HR and payroll onto one platform that’s customizable for companies of different sizes and in different industries. Its platform ensures everything from recruiting and onboarding to employee recognition and engagement is accomplishable. 

 

 

A trove of local talent: “We’ve really found [Illinois] to be a great place to be able to draw people with a wide level of diversity, both in experience and background,” CEO Steve Beauchamp told Built In Chicago. “I think the more diverse your workforce, the better results you can get. It doesn’t surprise me that so many Illinois companies are having success.” 

 

 

 

What they do: Red Ventures is a portfolio of digital companies that aims to connect consumers and brands through carefully crafted online experiences. Red Ventures utilizes online marketplaces and strategic partnerships with a goal of creating impactful digital growth and solving complex problems across a variety of verticals.

 

 

Big startup energy: Product Manager Maddie Tarr spoke to Built In Austin in February about the impressive balance Red Ventures has struck by building a large operation while maintaining a more personal, startup energy. “It wasn’t until weeks after I started — after visiting the company’s headquarters outside Charlotte, South Carolina — that I realized the magnitude of this company,” Tarr said. “I had VPs and senior directors of a multibillion-dollar company sitting next to me, listening to and engaging with my ideas. No matter my title, experience or seniority, my voice was heard.” 

 

 

 

 

What they do: ServiceTitan is a software technology platform for small business owners in the trades industry such as electricians, plumbers and landscapers. Founders Ara Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan were inspired to start the company to help people like their fathers, both immigrants who built contracting businesses. 

 

 

Who they’re hiring: ServiceTitan has open roles in data and analytics, development and engineering, sales, finance, operations and more. 

 

 

 

What they do: As the parent company of Snapchat, Snap Inc. developed one of the most popular social media apps worldwide. A camera company, Snap Inc. also invented Bitmoji, a software that creates personalized cartoon avatars for its users. Snap Inc. aims to reinvent the camera to improve how people live and communicate.  

 

 

In the news: In January 2022, Snap Inc. announced expanded deals with major media companies including Disney and NBCUniversal to produce content for Snapchat’s Discover page. The deal allowed additional shows to stream on Snapchat from popular networks such as ESPN, ABC News, MTV, Bravo and more. 

 

 

 

 

What they do: An independent media-buying platform designed for the open internet, The Trade Desk helps global brands deliver insightful and relevant ads to consumers across a variety of websites, apps, podcasts and streaming TV platforms. More than 225 companies make use of The Trade Desk’s premium selection of data, inventory and brand safety providers — companies including Disney, Condé Nast, ABC, Hulu and more. 

 

 

A mission to believe in: “I love working at The Trade Desk because the work I do really matters, and I get to be a part of something big,” Anna Sayre, senior director of NAMER brand marketing, told Built In NYC in September last year. “Our mission attracts some of the best people in the industry: super smart, grounded and generous. I am so inspired by the team I get to work with every day, and I know the work we’re doing will have a lasting impact on the industry.”

 

 

 

What they do: TransUnion taps into credit and public records data to provide transparency for decision-making. Services range from credit checks and identity proofing to data breach and debt recovery. 

 

 

Investing in long-term development: “We’ve established a culture of ongoing education, and invest in our associates because we recognize the value of their active partnership,” said Deepika Duggirala, senior vice president of global technology platforms. “We’re continually expanding the training opportunities and development programs we offer to empower them with new skill sets and prepare them to become future change agents at TransUnion.”

 

 

 

What they do: Vertafore aims to simplify and automate the insurance life cycle. It accomplishes this with software solutions that boost productivity, lower costs, and help agents and carriers grow their business. Located in downtown Denver, Vertafore holds one value to heart: Behind every insurance policy is a person.

 

 

The Vertafore Way: Vertafore maintains six guiding principles, including ‘customer success is our success’ and ‘show up curious.’ “These six principles define how we serve our customers and industry, and how we work together every day,” Kristin Nease, senior vice president of human resources, told Built In Colorado in January. “Our culture is our strength and it stays true as we grow. It’s so special because, as the world and industry evolve around us, our teammates prove there are more and new ways that the Vertafore Way really is who we are.”

 

 

 

What they do: Wintrust Financial Corporation is a financial services holding company operating a family of community banks. The financial firm also specializes in wealth management and lending services for businesses in the Chicago area. 

 

 

A positive impact on the community: “While a focus on the bottom line usually creates wealth for an individual, it also offers an individual the opportunity, and I believe the obligation, to give back to society. If you impact the bottom line for an organization, management will typically reward you with super cool projects, more resources and ultimately more money, which you can then use to better society,” Jennifer Morris, chief marketing officer, told Built In Chicago in January. “Wintrust consistently gives directly back to the communities it serves. It is one of the many reasons I joined the company.”