Built In LA’s Featured Companies of the Month

These 10 companies are making an impact on the SoCal tech scene.

Written by Jeff Kirshman
Published on May. 31, 2022
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The Great Resignation is set to continue, according to a survey conducted by consulting firm PwC, with one in five people saying they are likely to switch jobs in the next 12 months. 

And there are plenty of companies ready to receive them, with a fresh batch of Los Angeles-based tech firms included in the ranks. From an AI-powered product that provides reps with guidance in real time during sales calls to a biotech firm that uses sensors to study the magnetic fields emitted from brain waves, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the SoCal tech scene.

That’s why Built In LA checked in with some of the many tech companies making moves in Los Angeles to see what they have to offer. Read on to learn more about the organizations both big and small you should know about.

 

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Industry: Healthtech

Founded: 2015

What they do: Healthcare providers use WELL Health’s platform to continuously engage with patients, from pre-appointment intake forms to post-discharge follow up. The company enables secure messaging, supports communication in 19 languages and integrates with caregivers’ patient portals and other workflow software.

Notable perks and benefits: WELL wants to alleviate the stress of family planning by supporting employees longing to start a family today or in the future. Because fertility treatments can be costly, the company offers a $10,000 lifetime credit for a variety of diagnostic and treatment services for each individual enrolled in its insurance plans.  

View from the inside: The team at WELL puts tangible programs in place to ensure new hires are comfortable. “Our commitment goes beyond simply sourcing and hiring a diverse talent pool,” one talent acquisition associate told Built In. “We ensure our new employees are welcomed into the WELL culture and valued for their contributions and background.” 

 

 

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Industry: Fintech

Founded: 2016

What they do: Sunbit is a buy now, pay later solution built for local service providers and retailers.

Notable perks and benefits: Sunbit’s company culture favors group brainstorming sessions and team-based strategic planning, along with an unlimited vacation policy that lets employees take time off knowing their projects are in good hands. 

View from the inside: Sunbit’s employees don’t simply work for the company. They count themselves as users as well. “I’m a team member and a customer,” Head of Marketing Jason Beltran said. “I truly believe in the value we’re providing to local businesses and communities.” 

 

 

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Industry: Digital media 

Founded: 2014

What they do: Scale Media is a tech-driven company that builds next-generation health and wellness brands in the direct-to-consumer space. 

Notable perks and benefits: Scale Media offers fully remote working positions; comprehensive medical, dental vision and life insurance; generous paid time off; and complimentary yoga and mental health days. 

View from the inside: Head of Operations Nicole Khandhar is always pushing her colleagues to be more creative when solving problems. “I encourage my team to include employees from different departments when refining and building out new processes,” Khandhar said. “This allows them to understand the problem from a different perspective, foster new ideas and create a process that is more conducive within our organization.”

 

 

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Industry: Fintech

Founded: 2019

What they do: Zest AI’s machine learning software was built to help lenders make better decisions. Through the use of big data, the fintech company strives to solve compliance issues in underwriting, yield higher revenue for lenders and reduce risk. 

Notable perks and benefits: Through perks like tuition reimbursement, lunch and learns, customized development tracks, and reimbursements for conferences, Zest aims to provide employees with the tools they need to sharpen their skills and advance ambitious professional goals. 

View from the inside: “Zest provides employees a lot of autonomy to explore areas that pertain to career growth,” one senior data scientist told Built In. “Since joining within a year, I’ve been able to play a key role in critical company milestones and progress my career into leadership development.”

 

 

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Industry: Automotive fintech 

Founded: 2016

What they do: Fair is an automotive fintech company helping users finance their car purchases while staying on budget.

Notable perks and benefits: The benefits aim to live up to the company’s name. Fair offers equity incentives; 100 percent coverage of medical, vision and dental premiums for employees and their families; 100 percent paid parental leave for up to four months; 401(k) retirement plans; and a remote-work stipend for every employee. 

View from the inside: Employees at Fair can’t say enough about the company’s inclusive team culture. “What I enjoy most about Fair is how kind and welcoming the people are,” one staff engineer told Built In. “During my time here, our business has seen some incredibly exciting highs, and some less exciting lows, but I couldn’t ask for a better environment to learn and grow from.”

 

 

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Industry: Digital media

Founded: 2001

What they do: MediaMonks is a digital-first marketing and advertising services company working to connect the dots across content, data, and digital media and technology services.

Notable perks and benefits: MediaMonks offers paid holidays, paid sick days and 15 PTO days accrued per year.

View from the inside: Every year in May, in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, MediaMonks works to amplify awareness of the achievements and challenges of the AAPI community and their contributions to U.S. history as well as today’s society. “It’s a time to acknowledge the past and look to the future,” Associate Creative Director and Copywriter Andrew Kondo Weigl said. “To celebrate our collective accomplishments and honor our losses. A chance for self-reflection on how being Asian American has and continues to affect my life.”

 

 

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Industry: Digital media

Founded: 2021

What they do: Trusted Media Brands is a global company that reaches hundreds of millions of consumers through its portfolio of media properties.

Notable perks and benefits: Trusted Media Brands seeks to offer a collaborative and engaging company culture. Team members enjoy a commitment to work-life balance, generous time off, and comprehensive benefits and programs.

View from the inside: With team members spread across the world, Trusted Media Brands is truly a global company that understands great talent can come from a wide variety of places. “Establishing and fostering open lines of communication is key to building a community amongst a global workforce,” Chief People Officer Jen Tyrrell said.

 

 

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Industry: Biotech

Founded: 2016

What they do: By spotlighting blood flow to the brain and using sensors to study the magnetic fields emitted from brain waves, Kernel aims to quantify individuals’ thoughts, emotions and general brain conditions.

Notable perks and benefits: Along with a commitment to equity that includes a mean gender pay gap below 10 percent, Kernel offers paid holidays, paid sick days and an unlimited vacation policy. 

View from the inside: Kernel’s company culture is structured to provide flexibility to take care of responsibilities away from the office. “It’s no secret startup life can be demanding at times, but the flexibility allows my work-life balance to be however it needs to be,” one design verification engineer told Built In. “Personally, I never have to choose between work and home.”

 



 

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Industry: Artificial Intelligence

Founded: 2012

What they do: Revenue.io’s artificial intelligence-powered product can provide reps with guidance in real time during sales calls, analyze revenue by lead source and optimize sales workflows.

Notable perks and benefits: Standing desks, lovable swag, generous PTO, paid holidays, free lunches and best-in-class medical coverage come standard at Revenue.io. 

View from the inside: VP of Sales Ryan Vaillancourt said one of his favorite motivational methods is distributing leadership responsibilities based on expertise rather than hierarchy. “Part of my job in a leadership position is to help cultivate future leaders, so I involve everyone in enablement efforts,” Vaillancourt said. “Team engagement comes naturally when people feel a collective sense of responsibility toward the success of the group.”
 

 

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Industry: Edtech

Founded: 2013

What they do: Sketchy is an online visual learning platform that helps students learn and recall information through a blend of art, story, spaced repetition and memory palace techniques. 

Notable perks and benefits: As a remote-first company, Sketchy knows work-life balance is crucial. While employees are encouraged to be online during core hours, the company offers flexible schedules based on each employee’s location.

View from the inside: Sketchy leadership prioritizes team bonding and a desire to create lasting memories, with events including trivia, company retreats, art classes and game shows. “Zoom fatigue is real,” People Operations Specialist Tessa Tookes said. “That’s why Sketchy uses a range of communication tools for both work and relationship building.”

 

Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Images via Shutterstock.