When you hear names like Apple, Intel, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard — or you read about the explosion of technology in fields like healthcare, agriculture, and bioscience — you’re likely to think about Silicon Valley. That’s understandable.
But would it surprise you to learn these companies and industries all have a significant presence in the greater Sacramento area as well?
Why Technology Jobs Matter
It’s no secret that jobs in the tech industry are still in high demand. The salaries and benefits of working in the tech sector are some of the best available. Tech employees tend to be happier overall, and there’s the inherent “cool factor” of working in a tech job, especially if the company has a lot of buzz around it in the news.
All this means technology companies tend to attract top talent from around the country, and even the world. While the competition for the most desirable jobs is fierce, those that do get hired are likely to be working with other talented and like-minded peers, which is often another big draw for those who are after a fulfilling career path.
When big companies like Apple, Google, or Amazon set up shop in a new location, it often means hundreds or thousands of new well-paying jobs will be created. This can instantly lift the status and appeal of the town or city they locate in and give the local economy a boost.
The Sacramento, California Tech Scene
Unbeknownst to many, the greater Sacramento area has become a hotbed for new and existing technology companies. Tech companies in Sacramento run the gamut from iconic names like Apple, Intel, Hewlett Packard, and Oracle to smaller local companies.
While the big names typically have their headquarters in Silicon Valley, their presence here in Sacramento is no less critical. Many use their locations here for research and development labs, warehousing, distribution, sales, and customer service positions.
Unlike Silicon Valley, which leans heavily towards consumer and business-to-business tech companies, Sacramento hosts a diverse mix of tech businesses working in various fields like agricultural technology, biotechnology, and technology manufacturing.
Agricultural Technologies
According to the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, food production in the Sacramento area is a 2.25 billion dollar industry. This means the market for agricultural technology (AgTech) companies is both large and diverse. AgTech companies here primarily focus on seed and crop breeding, protection, development, and testing.
Leading companies like Bayer Crop Science, Tomra Sorting Solutions, and Marrone Bio Innovations have a significant local presence. Many smaller AgTech startups are making the area home as well, with over two hundred million dollars in funding going to AgTech and biotech companies since 2010.
Jobs within the California ag industry grew by over 10% in 2020.
Biotechnology Companies
Sacramento’s biotechnology companies provide a little bit of everything. From stem cell research to pharmaceuticals, there’s a tremendous amount of innovation going on.
While the Bay Area is considered the birthplace of the California biotechnology industry, the Greater Sacramento area contains over one hundred biotechnology and medical device companies and over 150,000 life sciences and health sector employees.
In addition, U.C. Davis boasts one of the world’s premier life sciences research programs and labs. The university’s program covers everything from genetics and biology to agricultural and environmental sciences.
Technology Manufacturing
While not as big as the agritech or biotechnology sectors in Sacramento, the technology manufacturing presence here is still noteworthy. Major players located in the area include companies such as:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Intel
- Hewlett-Packard
- TSI Semiconductors
These companies are building a diverse array of products used in the technology, aerospace, and defense industries.
Fortis helps users at Sacramento area organizations with their IT problems so they can get more work done.
Sacramento Tech Businesses Startups
Here are a few Sacramento tech companies that were founded after 2010 and have been getting media attention.
Rhombus Systems, Inc. started in 2016. The company simplifies video security for enterprise clients. No matter how many locations a company has, Rhombus allows for managing all cameras, sensors, and activity from a single console. As of October 2021, Rhombus has raised $20M. The goal is to grow from 10,000 to 100,000 managed locations.
e-Mission Control is a subsidiary of Momentum. The business was founded in 2019, and it focuses on companies in California and Oregon that operate battery-electric material handling equipment — including material handling and cargo handling vehicles. Many businesses with this type of equipment are not taking advantage of their state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program. e-Mission Control manages the entire incentives process for a fee.
Electro Scan, Inc. specializes in sewer and stormwater machine-intelligent leak detection. Electro Scan’s model ES-620 probe was designed for gravity mains with a diameter from 6″ – 30.” The ES-38 was designed to find leaks in small-diameter, non-metallic pipes. The company’s products are used by contractors and agencies across the globe.
GRIN was founded in 2017 and pioneered the category of creator management software. The creator economy is one in which someone who does not work with the brand — such as an influencer — helps shape the brand. Brands need to remove the middleman and create direct partnerships with people who create content around the brand. GRIN’s software platform helps brands build authentic partnerships with creators.
Blaize produces Edge AI hardware and software products. Edge AI is artificial intelligence that operates at the edge of networks and vehicles, where data collection happens. In other words, Blaize puts computational power, such as graphical processing power, where it’s most efficient from an energy and performance perspective. Automotive applications, including autonomous vehicles, is one of the customer markets that Blaize serves.
What Comes Next?
Tech companies in Sacramento are here to stay, without question. There is every indication that the industry is not just growing, but thriving.
Local tech companies are also listed as some of the most extraordinary and cutting-edge places to work.
For those who are new to the Sacramento area or are considering relocating and looking for work in a tech-related field, there is a wide range of opportunities to choose from.
