San Francisco Center for Economic Development

Your city is remarkable not only for its beauty. It is also, of all the cities in the United States, the one whose name, the world over, conjures up the most visions and more than other, incites one to dream.” – Georges Pompidou, former President of France.

Innovation “At-A-Glance”

It Started in San Francisco	Center for Innovation
Highest density of venture capital firms in the world receiving 33% of nationwide venture funding	More than double the average number of patents per employee -- UCSF, UC Berkeley and Stanford continue to dominate US patents
Clothing: Levi Strauss, The Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy	Leading US center in web-based engineers and designers
Housewares: Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn	95% of all businesses employ less than 50 people
Financial Services: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab	Strong architecture, design and graphics industry
Bio-tech: UCSF has spawned to life science companies	Culinary Arts Center which continues to innovate the restaurant industry

Not only do great companies seem to organically grow in San Francisco but the products and services that these companies provide have revolutionized whole industries. Levis and The Gap helped make jeans one of the iconic western symbols of the 20th Century and led the corporate casual evolution. Wells Fargo dominated the automation of banking by rolling out 24-hour customer service and ATM checking. Charles Schwab made it possible for small investors to participate in the stock market. UCSF gave rise to the biotechnology industry.

Clearly our talent, technology, and innovation are a great combination for business but San Francisco is also a great place for LIVING