San José: Where Innovation Thrives and Leaders Converge

Above: Recipients of the City of San José's AI Startup Incentive Program, which awarded $175,000 in grants to four early-stage AI companies that establish headquarters or operations in San José. 

San José has long been home to people, companies, and technologies that have transformed the world. We have a combination of talent, infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership that has solidified our position as a global hub for AI innovation.

Today, San José is:

• a cornerstone of the semiconductor industry, the foundation of AI technology;
• home to key innovators and legacy companies that continue to advance chip and processing technologies and infrastructure that enable AI;
• host to global conferences such as NVIDIA's GTC, Momentum AI, and VERGE;
• at the forefront of the AI software and hardware revolution;
• Silicon Valley's urban core, offering big city amenities: sports, arts, dining, shopping and urban vitality. 

From fostering a robust startup ecosystem to pioneering groundbreaking technologies that are already integrated into daily lives around the globe, San José is charting the future of AI, and we are looking to further expedite the growth of AI in our community.

Above: City of San José Mayor Matt Mahan with NVIDIA and SJSU, recognizing a new AI-focused collaboration between the three organizations, December 2024. 

Why Bring Your AI Startup to San José?

San José offers unparalleled opportunities for AI startups ready to scale:

A Thriving AI Ecosystem

• Home to Industry Giants: San José is home to global tech leaders like Adobe, Zoom, Cisco, and IBM. 
  
  
• A Community of Startups: There are 91 venture-backed AI startups* in San José, collectively valued at approximately $6 billion. 
  
  
• Unmatched Tech Talent and Resources: San José State University (SJSU) produces the most tech graduates in the Bay Area, including renowned alumni like Intel’s Gordon Moore and Dolby’s Ray Dolby. SJSU is ranked 4th in the nation for public universities by The Wall Street Journal and is a proud Minority Serving Institution. San José is also part of the Silicon Valley and is a central fixture for all its tech and talent resources. In 2023, San Jose was the #1 City for patents issued out of any City in the United States, with 4,198 patents registered or 3.1% of all patents issued nationwide.
  
  
• Downtown AI Hub: Over $1 billion in AI company value is concentrated in our vibrant downtown core, fostering collaboration and innovation in the heart of the city.

AI Innovator Meet-up

Incentives and Programs for Startups

• Downtown San José Office Incentives: Two years of free parking and business tax exemptions for new office tenants in the downtown core. 
  
  
• AI Incentive Program: In August 2025, the City awarded $175,000 in grants to early-stage AI startups that establish headquarters or operations in San José.

Join the AI Movement in San José

AI Innovator Meet-up: Woman in AI Panel

San José is committed to fostering an inclusive, world-class AI ecosystem. Whether you’re a founder, an established company, or a community member, there’s a place for you in San José. Together, we can build a future where AI empowers businesses, improves lives, and uplifts every resident of our vibrant city. If this interests you, we encourage you to join our collaborative AI community!

• SJ AI Commons: A partnership with SJSU to train and upskill local talent while hosting AI-focused events like the Women in AI panel and pitch competition.
  
  
• GovAI Coalition: Collaborating with public agencies across the nation to advance AI solutions that improve public services.
  
  
• San José Innovates: A bi-monthly meetup series focused on AI that connects entrepreneurs, researchers, and government leaders to discuss cutting-edge developments. Sign up to receive updates on the monthly San José Innovates AI meetup series.

For more information or questions, please contact Doug Moody, Corporate Outreach Officer, at doug.moody@sanjoseca.gov or 669.314.4130

*Source: CBRE Tech Talent Report