RELOCATE OR EXPAND BUSINESS IN SAN FRANCISCO

The following resources are intended to help companies as they relocate their business or set up an office in San Francisco. Through these resources or through direct assistance, the SFCED can help guide you as you negotiate local, state, and federal requirements in order to get your business off and running:

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Known as the birthplace of biotechnology, the San Francisco Bay Area lays claim to the largest concentration of biotech companies, the best venture capital network, a wealth of first tier life science research institutions, and a 250,000-person strong biotech work force. Over 820 biotech companies are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, including industry leaders Genentech, Chiron, Amgen, Gilead Sciences, Bayer, Berlex, Applied Biosystems, Exelixis, and Genecor, offering ample collaboration and licensing opportunities.

The City of San Francisco offers a generous 7.5 year payroll tax exemption to biotech companies.

Biotech information resources are available upon request:

• San Francisco Biotech Industry Overview
  
• 50 Largest Biotech Companies in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• San Francisco Biotech Payroll Tax Exemption
  
• San Francisco Bay Area Biotech Networking Events
  
• Venture Capital Firms in San Francisco and Silicon Valley

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

The San Francisco/Silicon Valley Area boasts the largest concentration of green technology investors in the U.S, with abundant business opportunities for green technology/service companies that are interested in targeting the West Coast and Asia. As the leading city in green technology adoption, San Francisco offers a payroll tax exemption for businesses that engage in clean energy technology.

Green Technology information resources available upon request:

• San Francisco Clean Technologies Overview
  
• San Francisco Solar Technologies and Tax Incentives
  
• San Francisco Clean Tech Payroll Tax Exemption
  
• Green Technology Opportunities in San Francisco, California, and China
  
• Solar Product/Service Opportunities in San Francisco, China and India
  
• Clean Technology Investors in San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley
  
• Environmental Firms in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• 50 Largest Engineering Firms in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Large Architectural Firms in San Francisco Bay Area

IT

The San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley is home to more than 4133 IT firms, including most of the leading industry players, employing more than 214,000 people. With 78.8% of the households wired to the Internet, San Francisco is one of the top 10 cities for high-speed connection. San Francisco has become a hub for digital entertainment companies with more than 50 companies in the city, including LucasArts, Pixar, Sony, Electronic Arts, Dolby, Sega of America, Konami Digital Entertainment America, and PDI DreamWorks SKG.

IT information resources available upon request:

• Digital Entertainment Companies in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
  
• Venture Capital Firms in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley
  
• Largest Software Companies in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
  
• IT Industry Networking Events in San Francisco and Silicon Valley

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

With the large number of IT and biotech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, San Francisco boasts a vibrant professional service industry comprised of accounting, legal, consulting, architecture, engineering, tech support, and HR, among others. San Francisco has twice the national average concentration of high value-added service companies, employing more than 200,000 professionals.

Professional services information resources available upon request:

• Largest Public Companies in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Largest Private Companies in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• 50 Largest Employers in San Francisco Bay Area

GENERAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

• Starting a Business in San Francisco
  
• SFCED Business Check List
  
• Tax Issues for Foreign Companies: Open a Foreign Sales Office or Set Up a US Corporation?
  
• How to Open a US Bank Account
  
• Largest Public Companies in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Largest Private Companies in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• 50 Largest Employers in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Venture Capital Firms in San Francisco and Silicon Valley
  
• Largest Employers in San Francisco
  
• 50 Largest Engineering Firms in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Large Architectural Firms in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Largest Private Equity Firms in San Francisco Bay Area
  
• Largest Four-Year Colleges in San Francisco Bay Area

Other Resources

• Start-Up San Francisco: (pdf format) provides a useful checklist and detailed information on all of the local, state and federal agencies with which you will need to register, or from which you may need to obtain permits or licenses.
  
  
• San Francisco Office of the Treasurer: provides various resources for business in the city.
  
  
• San Francisco Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development: provides various resources for business in the city as the SFCED's public counterpart.
  
  
• The San Francisco Small Business Commission web resources: provides a step-by-step guidebook to getting your business started.
  
  
• The Small Business Commission website:The Small Business Commission (SBC) is the City's central point of information and referral to the public and City departments for entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the City and County of San Francisco. The SBC and its staff work together in the development and implementation of all small business enhancement programs. This website provides a step-by-step guidebook to getting your business started.
  
  
• SF Prospector website: is a web-accessible GIS-based site selection and real estate availability mapping tool that also provides detailed demographic, business, and other information.
  
  
• sfbizinfo website: provides links to business case managers at both SFCED and the Mayor's Office of Economic Development - Workforce who can work with you to address your business's specific needs.
  
  
• The California Secretary of State Business portal: provides a step-by-step guide to starting a business in California, as well as other valuable information.
  
  
• An overview of California State tax credits available in San Francisco (Enterprise Zone)
  

SFCED provides free, confidential, and comprehensive advice as well as fast-track access to the information, expertise, and contacts you can rely on to help your company set up and succeed in San Francisco. If you have any questions or need any assistance to relocate your company or set up your office in San Francisco, please contact us for more information.