The top influential companies in San Jose, CA

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This article was written by Jessica Te, SJtoday’s editorial intern.

Living in the tech capital of the world, we mean business. While we all know about Meta, Apple, and Google, we’re focusing today on some other movers and shakers who have set up shop right here in San Jose.

Here’s a spotlight on three of San Jose’s most influential companies.

Cisco

Fun fact: Cisco Systems was named after the city of San Francisco. | Photo via SJtoday staff

📶 Cisco Systems, 300 E. Tasman Dr.

This Fortune 500 tech giant was founded in 1984 by married couple Leonard Bosack + Sandra Lerner, who met as Stanford students. Cisco made its name selling computer networking products, then moved from Menlo Park to San Jose in 1994.

If you’re in the market for a job, Cisco is hiring for engineers.

Adobe

Adobe’s newest tower is expected to open next year and double the headcount of employees. | Photo via @geo.dragon.s

📶 Adobe Inc., 345 Park Ave.

If you’ve used Photoshop or Illustrator, then you’ve probably heard of Adobe. The company was founded by two Xerox employees in 1982, then later invented PDFs + world-class design tools. Since moving to San Jose in 1996, its Adobe World Headquarters could be seen towering over the Guadalupe Freeway.

In addition to supporting local creators + the homeless community, Adobe spent 20 years on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For, so you know where to apply next.

PayPal

PayPal’s corporate headquarters on N. First St. houses over 4,000 employees across six buildings. | Photo via SJtoday staff

📶 PayPal Holdings, 2211 N. First St.

This Fintech company was formed in 1998 and created one of the earliest tools for online payments. As of 2021, the platform conducts 41 million transactions each day among 392 million users.

In partnership with the Earthquakes, PayPal has sponsored community events to benefit San Jose’s youth, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses + provided upgrades to the team’s stadium, PayPal Park.

The company is usually on the lookout for engineers + product managers.