In 1634, a group of five colonists each contributed six shillings to purchase 44 acres from Boston’s first European settlers. The “common land” they acquired near Beacon Hill was then a gathering place and a pasture. Now, it is the country’s oldest public park.
Boston Common is just one attraction that makes the city special in the fall. Bostonians and tourists alike visit space near the Frog Pond to take in the changing leaves of the 700 elm, maple, chestnut, beech and oak trees.
It’s a great time to see Boston, and the changing season is a good reminder to catch up with some of the most exciting companies that make up the city’s tech scene. Built In has featured six businesses to help start you off.
The Boston companies we picked are agile organizations with big ambitions for the rest of 2023 and beyond — be sure to keep an eye on them.
featured companies
What they do: Piaggio Fast Forward is a new technology and design company that creates lightweight mobility solutions for people and products.
The Perks
- Up to 100% medical and dental coverage
- Pet insurance and pet-friendly environment
- Team workouts and company-sponsored outings
- Continuing education available during work hours
Interesting work: Designers and engineers at Piaggio Fast Forward get to put their skills to the test as they work on truly innovative products. They’ve released the gitaplus and the gitamini, two cargo-carrying robots that use computer sensor vision to observe, follow and assist users. Both robots travel up to six miles-per-hour and go about 20 miles on a single charge.
What they do: Pluralsight is a technology learning platform for software developers, IT admins and creative professionals.
The Perks
- Unlimited paid time off
- Summer Fridays
- Home-office stipend for remote employees
Ongoing opportunity: “We embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and encourage team members to take ownership of their careers. As part of that, we advise leaders and team members to co-create development plans. Whether it be up-skilling, re-skilling, or expanding their influence we believe in investing skills development and facilitating growth experiences,” Senior Vice President of Skills Content Platform Ai-Ling previously told Built In Boston.
Formlabs is a 3D printing company that serves a variety of industries.
The Perks
- Documented equal pay policy
- Catered lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Sabbaticals
Constant innovation: In June, the 3D printing company announced it will start using two new materials in its printers. Dental LT Comfort Resin and Biomed Durable Resin applications will help the growing company expand to further serve its dental and medical clients.
"At Formlabs, we are continuously empowering our customers to push the boundaries in 3D printing," said Formlabs President Guillaume Bailliard. "With the release of these two new materials, we're proud to expand our material library and enable dental and healthcare professionals and engineers to push the boundaries of device development.”
Acquia provides cloud-based digital experience management solutions.
The Perks
- Adoption assistance
- On-site gym
- Customized development tracks
- Mentorship program
Women in leadership: Built In Boston recently sat down with Chief Delivery Officer Vangie Cleversey, who shared her experience of growing as a leader at Acquia.
“To become a successful leader, it’s essential to cultivate a sense of curiosity and a willingness to innovate,” she advised. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions until you fully understand the situation, and don’t let your own biases cloud your judgment. Keep moving forward, and the answer and action plan will reveal themselves.”
What they do: Klaviyo is a marketing automation and email platform clients turn to to help grow their business.
The Perks
- Diversity employee resource groups
- Home-office stipend for remote employees
- Recreational Clubs
- Paid industry certifications
Building better: In August of 2022, Klaviyo CEO Andrew Bialecki announced a strategic partnership with Shopify to unite Klaviyo’s marketing platform with Shopify’s ecommerce prowess. The move turned Bialecki’s company into the preferred email marketing solution for all Shopify Plus members.
“The next era of e-commerce will be marked by a continued shift toward consumer privacy and the forming of strong digital relationships. Consumers now have an increased expectation of merchants to deliver smooth, customer-friendly experiences, and there is a continued proliferation of channels in which brands must deliver these experiences. This partnership builds on the combined vision of two powerful platforms to help founders and operators not just weather the new era, whatever it brings, but thrive within it,” Bialecki said in a statement.
What they do: Peapod Digital Labs is a digital platform and delivery service for online grocery shopping.
The Perks
- Diversity employee resource groups
- Performance benefits
- Free snacks and drinks
Who they're hiring: Peapod is an e-commerce powerhouse with more than 1,000 employees. The company currently has nearly 100 openings including those for senior software engineers, training managers, product analysts and an SEM specialist.
