America’s Best Startup Employers 2020
America’s Best Startup Employers 2020
If you’d rather take a risk and join a budding business than be bound to the rungs of the corporate ladder, startup life may be right for you. But when your potential employer hasn’t existed for more than a few years and may not even have a product, let alone profits, how can you tell if it’s a good place to work?
Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to identify the up-and-coming companies liked best by their employees in our inaugural ranking of America’s best startup employers. The list was compiled by evaluating 2,500 American businesses with at least 50 employees on three criteria: employer reputation, employee satisfaction and growth.
Those who are drawn to early-stage companies may have different professional priorities than those at more established firms, but the qualities they value most in employers are surprisingly similar. A clear mission, for example, is just as important to the more than 450 employees who work for Allbirds, No. 1 on this list, as it is to those on the payrolls of some of America’s biggest businesses. Since launching in 2016, the San Francisco-based direct-to-consumer footwear brand has sought to create comfortable, carbon-neutral shoes. A certified B Corp, Allbirds’ sustainable practices have proved an effective recruitment tool. “The talent we attract is aligned with our mission to make an impact on the world,” says Laila Tarraf, head of employee experience at Allbirds. “For people who want to spend their working lives feeling like they’re doing something that helps the greater good, we make that possible here.”
Mission matters, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Opportunities for growth are equally important, and at Allbirds, that means prioritizing internal promotions. “We check ourselves every time we make a move,” Tarraf says, sharing how she recently wanted to hire an external consultant for an open recruiting role, but ultimately realized that it could be an opportunity for someone already among her ranks. “We leaned into internal promotions, had employees throw their hat in the ring and hired someone out of customer service.” Its workforce is young—the average age of employees is 29—so when promoting junior staffers into management, Allbirds often hires outside advisors to ensure that they have the guidance they need to succeed. “We really do take a chance on people,” Tarraf says.
