The Best Startups to Work for in Los Angeles

The tech industry in Los Angeles is booming! Home of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is rapidly evolving into a modern tech hub, set in the sandy dreamscapes of the technological cloud.. or clouds that beam with sunshine. In the city of dreams, it only makes natural sense that entrepreneurs would dream big and come up with huge business ideas. 

Researchers from UC Berkeley and Stanford University found that mentored startups grow 3.5x faster and raise 7x more money, compared to startups without mentors. We found this finding fascinating and wanted to list the best startups that are backed by mentors. 

Startups across industries are springing up in Culver City, Silicon Beach, Westwood, Downtown, and more. With so many industries to choose from, we’ve broken it down and listed the best startups to work in Los Angeles. Our methodology is based on employee reviews, mentorship, and company culture, as we share our rankings of the top startups in Los Angeles. 

Without further ado, here are the best mentor-backed startups in Los Angeles by industry: 

Best Health Startups in Los Angeles

4. Heal

With Heal, you can see a licensed internist, family physician, or pediatrician at the touch of a button. Founded by physicians, Heal is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare at your door. 

Surrounded by one of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific Palisades, Heal is a company to watch in the emerging healthtech landscape. Heal is backed by Breyer Capital, among many others, as well as supported by Lionel Richie, Paul E. Jacobs, and other big names. 

3. Patch

Patch is America's only software platform that assists healthcare professionals with the intricacies of health insurance networks. Its mission is to make healthcare easy to pay for. 

A healthcare tech company like Patch should offer healthcare benefits that match its mission. Patch delivers, offering full medical and dental coverage. Located in the center of Santa Monica just steps away from the beach, you’ll just minutes away from the sunshine. 

2. GoodRx

“GoodRx provides an awesome laidback culture and happy and energetic office vibe. We believe in working hard and playing harder. The company offers Happy Hour once a week, catered lunches three days a week, an awesome ocean-front office location and events to celebrate small wins - all which make GoodRx a unique place to work."

Based in Santa Monica, GoodRx is a mission-driven team working to help Americans save money on their medications. Knowing that prescription medications are expensive and the prices won't come down any time soon, GoodRx gathers prices from thousands of pharmacies across the country in order to provide customers with the best price. They're backed by Silver Lake Partners and Francisco Partners.

1. Medely

“Medely has a laid back and fun office vibe! We’re in a gorgeous office with ocean views, music always playing, an open layout, and tons of snacks. Communication is key and often we are all hanging after work. Between spending time together and working on a concept that’s making a difference for hundreds of people, Medely's vibe is one to be envied.”

Medely is the largest and fastest-growing on-demand platform for Healthcare professionals, like Registered Nurses and Techs to find Per Diem work! Medely empowers healthcare professionals with flexible scheduling and a fresh new way to earn more money. Customers can request a range of healthcare providers on demand, ranging from Nurses and Allied Professionals. 

With flexible vacation options and generous health benefits, Medley strongly believes in creating a positive company culture. Medley is at the heart of 3rd St Promenade and inches from the beach. Eateries, restaurants, and more are just steps away. Backed by Mucker Capital and Burst Capital, Medeley has strong mentors backing every step of its process to becoming the place to work in Los Angeles healthtech. 

Best Entertainment and Media Startups in Los Angeles

4. EDO

EDO is a unique data, measurement and analytics company that powers the success of marketing, research, and creative professionals. While EDO isn’t an entertainment company, it serves Hollywood industries, and no better place to do so than the birthplace of the television industry. TV ad buyers and sellers use EDO’s real-time ad database to get more value from each advertising dollar and gain competitive insights. 

Unique perks offered by EDO include movie tickets, fitness reimbursements, and stocked office snacks. EDO prides itself on a wholesome culture in a fast-growing company. 

3. Wevr

VR goes next level at Wevr. Wevr is the leading immersive software company providing virtual world creation and software

Wevr boasts catered lunches and comprehensive benefits for full-time employees. Mentorship opportunities are boundless at Wevr, with executives spanning from the entrepreneurship, entertainment, Academy Award winners, and longtime industry veterans. Located near Abbot Kinney, Wevr is just seconds away from the finest LA eateries and sand-swept beaches.

2. Within

Founded in 2014 with the goal of expanding the potential of immersive storytelling, Within creates, acquires, and distributes premium AR & VR experiences across web, mobile, console and headsets. Expanding the definition of what’s possible in entertainment, Within is bringing entertainment technology to technologies that matter to Gen Z’ers. 

Located steps from the city's top restaurants and public transportation in Culver City, Within is an ideal location for anyone in Los Angeles. With weekly catered lunches and access to the latest VR/AR products, working at Within is a no brainer for any entertainment professional with an interest in emerging technologies. 

Mentorship is huge at this company, with financial backing from Andreessen Horowitz, Live Nation, and more. 

1. ATTN:

“The people are amazing. Everyday you're surrounded by smart people who really care about creating the best content possible."

You might have seen them on a viral video on your Facebook feed. ATTN: breaks down important societal topics and conversations into digestible, entertaining videos and series across all platforms and are leaders when it comes to reaching people who want context on the issues and conversations that matter to them

It’s no secret why ATTN: has been so successful. With backing from entertainment experts Marc Rowan, RTS Ventures, Ross Levinsohn, Hope Taitz, Bill Maher, The Seacrest Global Group and Troy Carter, ATTN: is set up for success in the busy entertainment ecosystem. 

Best SaaS Startups in Los Angeles

5. AuditBoard

AuditBoard is a SaaS tech startup revolutionizing enterprise audit and compliance software located in Cerritos. AuditBoard offers a fully-integrated platform to automate SOX, operational audits, and compliance.

Backed by Battery Ventures and DFIN, AuditBoard boasts top mentors backing its growing hub in Cerritos. With flexible vacation options and strong healthcare benefits to choose from, AuditBoard makes its employee experience a priority. 

4. Factual

Factual empowers the world’s leading marketers with high-quality location data and actionable insights to better understand, reach and engage consumers. Factual’s extensive data insights help inform companies’ digital advertising strategies, understand audiences, measure success, and support innovative business solutions.

Along with a strong employee benefits program, Factual has employee resource groups, fostering inclusion at all levels of the company. For example, the company has several groups to support the professional and personal growth of our talented team, including the Women @ Factual group. Each quarter, they host a fireside chat with inspirational women across the public and private sectors. Another perk is its location in Downtown Los Angeles, with easy access to public transportation options and tons of restaurants nearby.

3. FloQast

“We’ve got folks here who are excited to continuously build on something that’s bringing value to accountants. There are a lot of people that fit into different categories, but I think that’s why folks are most passionate about being here.” Blake Oliver, FloQast

Backed by Insight Venture Partners, FloQast is your one-stop-shop for all things financial software. They are at the forefront of close management software and is one of the fastest-growing solutions for FinTech companies.

FloQast uses process management and digital collaboration to automate the month-end closing of an organization’s financial books. The product provides accounting teams with checklists and tie-outs and integrates across workplace platforms and organizations’ enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems to automate reconciliations and, ultimately, shorten the financial close process. 

FloQast has a positive work environment, along with a range of social events for employees and a comprehensive benefits package. Based in Sherman Oaks, FloQast is bringing SaaS to the San Fernando Valley. Endless options of local eateries and shops make this an up-and-coming city to start your career journey.

2. GoGuardian

“I really like the continuous improvement and innovation our company has undergone since I started here three years ago.” - Dillon McKillop, Support Engineer

GoGuardian is the leading education technology SaaS provider in Los Angeles that powers K-12 personalized learning and enhances student safety. GoGuardian serves over 5 million students in 10,000 schools across all 50 states. 

Tony Miller—accomplished technology executive and former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education—serves on the company’s board. Backed by Sumeru Equity Partners, GoGuardian is quickly becoming the leading EdTech startup you want to join. El Segundo’s sunsets also makes the commute more pleasant, ask anyone, the colors shine brightest here. 

Along with comprehensive benefits and weekly yoga and aromatherapy meditation sessions, GoGuardian is a mission-driven company. Social impact is core to the company, whether it is protecting students online, or foregoing conference giveaways to instead support Coded by: Kids. GoGuardian is the SaaS company you need to learn more about, especially as 75% of schools in the United States use desktop computers.

1. UpKeep Maintenance Management

“During one of my first one-on-one’s with my manager I was asked, “What are your career aspirations and how can I get you there?” I was so taken aback by this question as none of my past leaders had ever asked me this before. I immediately knew then that my journey at UpKeep would be a special one. The leadership team here invests in the personal and professional development of their employees and they’ve helped me grow in countless ways. For the first time, I can truly say that I am thriving at work!”

And of course.. UpKeep tops our list of the best SaaS startups in Los Angeles! UpKeep is the first-ever mobile-based CMMS/Enterprise Asset Management System helping maintenance teams be successful everyday. Only 1% of venture capital is funneled towards the deskless workforce, yet 80% of the global workforce is not sitting at a desk. UpKeep is investing in the future of maintenance by empowering maintenance teams to revolutionize their businesses. UpKeep is backed by some of the top VC’s in the world and mentored by industry experts, including Emergence, the investors of Salesforce and Zoom. 

Company culture ranks #1 at UpKeep in Los Angeles. From team bonding events, employee appreciation, social impact programs, volunteering, team videos to celebrate employee anniversaries, each person is celebrated. It’s rare to find someone not smiling in the quickly expanding office in Westwood. Saunter in on any given day and you’ll be greeted by the sounds of laughter coming from a company lunch and learn, hear cheers on a customer call, or feel the radiating warmth from employees after a monthly meditation session. Based in the Westwood Village, UpKeep is in the heart of Los Angeles culture. With access of thousands of educational enrichment opportunities down the street at UCLA and close to bustling restaurants for an evening out, this is the place to be to get your footing on the startup scene.

Additionally, UpKeep offers endless opportunities for mentorship and professional development. As CEO, Ryan Chan says, “UpKeep is THE place in Los Angeles to come to if you want to grow in your career.” Jon, Susie, Garris, and Nicole have all received promotions and have shown the tremendous growth that can happen within the sales team at UpKeep. UpKeep takes women in leadership roles seriously. Take for example, our Chief of Staff, Caitlyn, or our Manager of Customer Success, Miji. It’s clear that the UpKeep rocketship is taking off, and if you’re someone who wants to work alongside people you can learn from and a mission-driven product, this is the place for you.