The concept of “move fast and break things” may apply for some startups, but not these two San Francisco tech companies.
At Grow Therapy and Eve, both teams have the speed of a startup, but they also have supportive, mission-driven cultures where employees feel empowered to test out new ideas while also raising concerns when necessary.
“I came in braced for the kind of speed that startups often pride themselves on,” Samantha Kane, senior manager of vendor operations at healthtech company Grow Therapy, said. “While it’s true that we’re executing at a rapid pace, what surprised me was that there’s genuine room for thoughtful conversations even when things are moving fast.”
Blake Chalfant-Kero, mid-market account executive, had a similar experience when joining legal AI platform Eve.
“I expected a startup pace, but the level of trust they put in you from day one caught me off guard in the best way,” Chalfant-Kero said. “You’re not waiting for permission to try things, you’re expected to bring ideas, test them and iterate.”
Built In spoke with Kane and Chalfant-Kero to hear more about what makes their employer stand out from the pack.
Grow Therapy is a healthtech company that helps independent therapists launch and grow in-network private practices through software that assists with credentialing, referrals, billing, insurance claims and more.
What would you tell someone considering applying to your company?
Come in knowing that the autonomy here is real, but so is the expectation that you’ll use it. This is a place where you can identify a problem, build the solution and see the impact. That has allowed me to grow as a professional and take on new things I’ve never done before. I’ve built tools that now automate thousands of weekly transactions that used to be done manually. Nobody handed me a project plan and that’s what made it exciting. The support was there when I needed it, but so was the space to figure things out on my own. One thing I wish someone had told me: Different teams move at different speeds and set different priorities and learning to work across that through influence rather than hierarchy is a skill you’ll need. If that sounds energizing, you’ll thrive.
What surprised you after joining?
I came in braced for the kind of speed that startups often pride themselves on. While it’s true that we’re executing at a rapid pace, what surprised me was that there’s genuine room for thoughtful conversations even when things are moving fast. Decisions get revisited, concerns get heard and there is a real openness at every level of the organization. On my first day, people across the company reached out personally to welcome me. Not automated onboarding notes, just real people, genuinely excited to work together.
What makes your culture motivating?
Honestly, it’s the people. I manage a function that supports about 100 agents serving clients and providers in some of their hardest moments. The people I work alongside actually care about getting it right. They believe in the mission and they show up for each other because of it. Knowing that my team’s work is meaningful is not something I take lightly. Our work directly supports individuals getting the mental health services that they need.
What makes the team culture at Grow Therapy unique?
“The people I work alongside actually care about getting it right. They believe in the mission and they show up for each other because of it.”
— Samantha Kane, Sr. Manager, Vendor Operations
Eve Legal builds AI-driven solutions to support plaintiff-side law firms in streamlining and automating their workflows.
What would you tell someone considering applying to your company?
Eve Legal is one of those rare opportunities where the product you’re selling genuinely changes how people work. As an account executive, I get to show law firms something that saves their teams real hours every week; that’s not a pitch, that’s just what happens in demos. If you’re someone who wants to sell something you actually believe in, this is it.
What makes the team culture at Eve Legal unique?
“Eve Legal is one of those rare opportunities where the product you’re selling genuinely changes how people work… If you’re someone who wants to sell something you actually believe in, this is it.”
— Blake Chalfant-Kero, Mid-Market AE
What surprised you after joining?
Honestly, how fast things move. I expected a startup pace, but the level of trust they put in you from day one caught me off guard in the best way. You’re not waiting for permission to try things, you’re expected to bring ideas, test them and iterate. That kind of ownership is hard to find, especially early in a company’s growth.
What makes your culture motivating?
The mission is front and center every day. Legal AI isn’t abstract for us; we’re watching attorneys get hours back, reduce errors and focus on the work that actually matters. When you’re in a sales role and your customers are genuinely excited after onboarding, that energy carries. The team feeds off it and it makes you want to push harder.
