United States

Los Angeles

#7

Global Startup Ecosystem

#4

Global Ecosystem in Funding

Top 10

Global Ecosystem in Talent & Experience

#4

North America Ecosystem in Performance
Los Angeles’ startup ecosystem thrives at the intersection of entertainment, technology, and creativity, attracting diverse founders and investors who are redefining industries from Gaming to Life Sciences and Cleantech.

Highlights

Los Angeles' startup ecosystem thrives on its deep talent pool, strong media and entertainment sectors, and growing investment activity, making it a dynamic hub for innovation across diverse industries.

Los Angeles is quickly becoming a national AI hotspot, ranking second in the U.S. for AI funding with $1.8 billion in venture capital across 31 deals in the third quarter of 2024, placing it second in AI funding in the U.S. Los Angeles is the fourth-largest AI talent hub in North America, with around 13,600 specialists and the second-highest number of tech graduates. Top universities and a strong focus on AI education continue to fuel this growing talent pool. Based in central LA, Los Angeles Technology Center (LATC) is a hub for technology, creativity, and education, offering hands-on programs that equip students for careers in tech and innovation.

Los Angeles has emerged as a key VC hub, home to over 500 venture capital firms and billions invested annually. Hosting firms like Upfront Ventures, Crosscut, and Mucker Capital, the city also boasts numerous angel and seed investors fueling early-stage startups across industries. In September 2024, LA-based Fika Ventures raised a $160 million fund to back AI startups in Fintech, Healthcare, and Enterprise Tech.

In March 2025, West L.A.-based Construction Tech startup BuildOps became a unicorn after raising $127 million in a Series C.

Los Angeles hosts a vibrant calendar of startup events, including the annual TechDay LA and Silicon Beach Fest, which bring together founders, investors, and tech leaders to network, pitch, and explore emerging trends in innovation.

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

A measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations from H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$385 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS 

The number of startups that meet our definition and have been valued at more than $1 billion and have not exited.
(ACTIVE UNICORNS)
45
GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

Average software engineer salary informed by data from Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale, as well as local sources when available.
(2024)
$132 K
GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

The average age at the time of exit in the ecosystem in 2020–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
10.3 years
GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

The total seed and Series A funding in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$5.8 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

The median of seed rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$1.8 M
GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

Early-stage funding growth is based on number of seed and Series A rounds raised between 2021-20222 vs. 2023-2024 and calculated on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)
4
Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

The total value of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
$110 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

Ecosystem Value growth (CAGR) is calculated based on companies founded in the ecosystem in H2 2020–H2 2022 vs. H2 2022–H2 2024.
(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)
-3%
GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND 

The median of Series A rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 – 2024)
$10 M
GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

The total VC funding (seed, Series A, Series B+) in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
$74 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

The number of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
880
137
2020
224
2021
199
2022
177
2023
143
2024
GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

Life Sciences
Life Sciences

Los Angeles ranks sixth among U.S. Life Science clusters in the JLL Report, reflecting its growing influence in the sector. UCLA is converting the former Westside Pavilion mall into a 700,000-square-foot research hub designed to house the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, with a planned opening in May 2027. Los Angeles-based NEXT Life Sciences raised another $200,000 in January 2025, bringing total funding to $400,000 for its non-invasive male contraceptive, "Plan A," set for clinical trials this year.

Gaming
Gaming

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) launched its $30 million Speedrun Accelerator in Los Angeles in 2024, offering Gaming Tech startups funding, mentorship, and industry access to drive innovation. Out of many gaming-related conferences that LA hosts, The LA Games Conference 2025 will focus on gaming law, finance, VC trends, and emerging tech like AI and blockchain, with insights on funding strategies. In March 2025, LA-based Wolf Games raised $4 million in seed funding to develop generative, cinematic games. 

Cleantech
Cleantech

In February 2025, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) received a $500,000 Rockefeller grant to expand its City Climate Innovation Challenge, piloting zero-emissions delivery solutions like EV charging, e-cargo bikes, and parcel lockers. California allocated $10 million to LACI to boost clean mobility, train a green workforce, and support BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, focusing on underserved communities. LACI CEO Matt Petersen and BRITE's Rick Stockburger became Co-Chairs of the National Cleantech Incubator Coalition, promoting federal policies to drive Cleantech innovation, jobs, and U.S. competitiveness.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Los Angeles

Market Access

Los Angeles' Pacific Rim location makes it a key gateway between North America and Asia, with the San Pedro Bay Port Complex handling 31% of U.S. containerized international trade. Los Angeles hosts a vibrant ecosystem of E-commerce, with 100 top companies operating in the city. LA is drawing startups with its access to the most connected airports, diverse industries, and lifestyle appeal beyond San Francisco’s tech core.

Funding & Incentives

Mayor Karen Bass’s Executive Directive 4 has delivered over $18 million in small business support, streamlining permits and launching programs like LA Optimized 2.0 and LApreneur to boost digital tools and entrepreneurship. Launched in September 2024, Los Angeles County's SmallBiz Permit Express cuts permit approval times by 25%, with a Permit Concierge team guiding small businesses through the process.

Diverse Talent

Los Angeles has a strong startup workforce of over 300,000, supported by top universities and a steady inflow of national and international talent. In March 2025, LA County launched the $17 million HRTP Fund to back innovative training programs, partnering with worker-focused groups and employers to build a diverse, skilled workforce. In October 2024, Cal State LA earned its sixth HEED Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity, recognizing its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

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