Fostering a positive and proactive company culture should be at the forefront of any business strategy. It’s what sets your company apart from the rest. A happy workforce makes for productive results, so it’s no wonder that companies of all shapes and sizes are working hard to make their organizations into exceptional places to work.
As we learned in Venture Atlanta 2022’s Talent Wars Panel, the best employee retention strategies have less to do with overall compensation and more to do with building a strong culture. So, what does great company culture look like? Let’s take a look at 20 different startups that are embracing an innovative company culture, as well as some examples of startup companies that exemplify these principles.
1. Monday.com
Monday.com, a popular work operating system, has been recognized for its unique and empowering company culture. The startup prides itself on its flat organizational structure, giving employees a strong sense of autonomy and ownership of their work. Monday.com offers employees various other perks, including flexible work hours, team events, and professional development opportunities. The company was selected by Comparably as one of the Best Places to Work in New York 2023, an annual award given to companies with the top-performing company cultures based on real employee feedback. The company also appeared on Inc’s Best Workplaces of 2022 list, making it an excellent example of a startup company with a strong culture.
2. Canva
In addition to its free products and user-friendly interface, this easy-to-use graphic design platform has also garnered attention for its culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Canva’s offices feature vibrant workspaces, and employees are encouraged to take part in team-building activities and skill development workshops. The Australian-based company emerged as a true inspiration back in 2020 when it was celebrated for being one of the best startups at keeping remote employees engaged during the pandemic. Canva ranked #3 on Great Place to Work’s 2020 Best Workplaces in Australia list, and the company’s upward trajectory doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
3. Iterable
Iterable, a growth marketing platform, is committed to cultivating a supportive and inclusive company culture. The organization emphasizes collaboration, diversity, and work-life balance, which translates to a vibrant and dynamic work environment. Iterable invests in its employees’ growth, offering stipends for learning and development, health and fitness, and even a paid sabbatical as part of its employee benefits.
4. Outreach
Outreach, a sales engagement platform, was quite literally built on determination. In 2014, the founders found themselves short on cash and in dire need of hitting their goals for the startup to survive. They ended up doing just that and more, growing into a company with offices in three countries and landing a spot in America’s 100 Most Loved Companies by Newsweek.
5. Figma
Figma, a collaborative design tool, has built a company culture that prioritizes innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being. The organization offers a supportive work environment, providing opportunities for professional development, flexible work hours, and various team events. This focus on company culture has helped Figma quickly become a leading player in the design software industry. In 2020, Figma was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. Figma’s continued success led to Adobe acquiring the company in late 2022.
6. Notion
Notion, an all-in-one productivity platform, has created a company culture that promotes teamwork, innovation, and employee satisfaction. The organization offers a supportive work environment, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development. In 2021, Notion received an award in the Learning Excellence Awards’ Outstanding Innovation category for STAR® Manager, their groundbreaking leadership and management development program that supports managers at all levels. By prioritizing personal and professional growth, Notion has built a thriving startup culture that continues to drive its success.
7. Coda
As a collaborative document editing platform built on the mission of bringing teams together, Coda is committed to building a company culture that values team-minded innovation. The organization offers a supportive environment where employees can thrive. This focus on company culture has helped Coda become a leading player in the document collaboration space and earned them a spot on Inc’s Best Workplaces of 2022.
8. Loom
Loom, a video messaging platform, places a strong emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and employee well-being. The company has cultivated an inclusive work environment that both encourages innovation and fosters employee growth. Loom offers various benefits, including flexible work arrangements, learning opportunities, and team-building activities, helping to create an active and engaged workforce.
9. Calendly
Calendly, a popular scheduling automation software, has cultivated a company culture that values diversity, collaboration, and personal growth. The startup hosts regular “Calendly Cares” events, where employees engage in philanthropic activities and volunteer work. As a result of its exceptional startup culture, Calendly was a recipient of Comparably’s Best Work-Life Balance and Perks & Benefits awards in 2021.
10. Asana
Asana, a work management platform, fosters a culture centered around mindfulness, diversity, and continuous improvement. The company’s office spaces are designed to promote both focused work and team interaction, and Asana provides resources for personal growth and learning. In a tech industry still largely dominated by men, the company is made up of 45% female employees and found itself on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Workplaces for Women in 2022.
11. Zapier
Zapier, an automation platform that connects various apps and services, has established a company culture that emphasizes remote work, flexibility, and employee empowerment. The organization promotes a sense of autonomy and encourages team members to take ownership of their projects, fostering innovation and productivity. By providing various benefits, such as flexible work hours and learning opportunities, Zapier has created an engaging and dynamic work environment.
12. Buffer
Buffer, a social media management platform, stands out for its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and work-life balance. The company has a strong remote work culture and offers employees unlimited vacation days to promote well-being. Buffer was recognized as one of Quartz’s Best Companies for Remote Workers in 2021.
13. Webflow
Webflow, a website design and development platform, is dedicated to fostering a company culture that values teamwork, creativity, and employee satisfaction. The organization offers a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and various team-building activities. By prioritizing employee well-being and collaboration, Webflow has built a thriving startup culture that drives its success in the competitive web design space.
14. Superhuman
Superhuman, an email productivity tool, boasts a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and team-building events. By prioritizing employee well-being and collaboration, Superhuman has attracted top talent and achieved success in the competitive email productivity space.
15. Chorus.ai
Chorus.ai, an AI-driven conversation analytics platform, is recognized for its culture that fosters growth, innovation, and teamwork. The company hosts regular team-building events and offers continuous learning opportunities, including leadership development programs. The innovative company was acquired by ZoomInfo in 2021, and a year later, Chorus.ai was recognized in Fortune’s 2022 Best Workplaces in the Bay Area.
16. Duolingo
Duolingo, a popular language learning app, has built a company culture that emphasizes employee well-being, continuous learning, and social impact. The startup hosts regular “Duolingo Talks,” featuring guest speakers from various industries, and dedicates resources to support underrepresented groups in tech. Duolingo appeared in Inc’s Best Led Companies of 2021.
17. Airtable
Airtable, a flexible cloud-based collaboration platform, has built a company culture that emphasizes innovation and collaboration. The organization offers a supportive work environment, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development. By prioritizing its own employees, Airtable has built a thriving startup culture that drives its success in the rapidly growing no-code/low-code market.
18. GitLab
GitLab, a web-based platform for software development and collaboration, is known for its 100% remote work culture, which offers employees exceptional flexibility and work-life balance. GitLab’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity has earned its recognition as a great place to work. In 2022, GitLab earned a spot on Fortune’s list of Best Workplaces in Technology.
19. Gloat
Gloat, an AI-driven internal talent marketplace, has built a company culture that encourages innovation, collaboration, and employee growth. With a focus on empowering employees to take ownership of their work and drive the company’s success, Gloat offers a supportive and engaging environment that contributes to its rapid growth and industry disruption.
20. Samsara
Samsara, an IoT platform for connected operations, has cultivated a culture that emphasizes inclusivity from the top down, with diverse representation at the leadership level. The company invests in the growth and development of its employees, offering mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, and resources for career advancement. Samsara was recognized for helping move the needle on diversity and inclusion as a winner of RippleMatch’s 2022 Campus Forward Award.
Venture Atlanta Alumni With Strong Company Culture
Many of our very own alumni companies are also shining startup examples that embody healthy company cultures. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below!
MessageGears
MessageGears is a real-time customer engagement platform.
A member of the Inc. Best Workplaces 2022 list, MessageGears takes a purposeful approach to fostering a culture that prioritizes innovation and customer success. Their culture starts at the top, with their CEO serving as an executive sponsor to the company’s culture committee, where team members from every department meet to discuss fostering employee engagement and improving benefits.
Florence
Florence advances clinical trials through software for managing document and data flow between research sites and sponsors.
Another member of the Inc. Best Workplaces 2022 list, Florence puts culture first by prioritizing transparency and recognizing team members. The company also offers unlimited time off with a mandatory three-week minimum vacation policy, Zoom yoga and weekly meditation events, plus fun activities like virtual scavenger hunts and karaoke.They also have a dedicated committee to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain a focus within the company’s culture.
Pardot
Salesforce Pardot (also known as Marketing Cloud Account Engagement) is a leading marketing automation platform that stands out as a startup with a strong company culture rooted in collaboration and innovation. The organization is dedicated to creating a nurturing work environment that promotes personal and professional growth for its employees.
The company supports employee development through mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, and opportunities for career advancement. Pardot also values work-life balance, offering flexible hours and remote work options to ensure employee well-being. By focusing on employee satisfaction and fostering a supportive atmosphere, Pardot has built a vibrant startup culture that attracts top talent and contributes to its success in the marketing automation industry.
Goodr
Goodr is a food waste management company built on empowerment through sustainable solutions. That very same mission is clearly evident in their culture as well, as the organization encourages employees to bring their unique skills and perspectives to the table, fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous improvement. Goodr prioritizes employee well-being, offering a range of benefits and resources to support work-life balance and personal growth.
Carvana
Carvana, a revolutionary online car buying and selling platform, has set itself apart as a startup with an outstanding company culture. Recognizing the importance of a supportive work environment, Carvana invests in its employees by providing a variety of employment resource groups that promote diversity and inclusion.
The company values collaboration and innovative thinking, creating a workplace where employees feel empowered to share ideas and contribute to the organization’s success. Carvana also prioritizes employee well-being, offering comprehensive benefits packages, team-building activities, and flexible work arrangements. This commitment to employee satisfaction has helped Carvana build a dynamic startup culture that fuels its growth and industry disruption.
Show Off Your Company at Venture Atlanta 2023
Each and every one of these startup company examples demonstrates the importance of fostering a positive and proactive company culture. By emphasizing employee well-being and creating an environment where everyone can thrive, these players in tech have set themselves apart in their respective industries. We look forward to discovering more shining stars in company culture at Venture Atlanta 2023. Register today!
