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We're in the midst of Ohio's tech transformation. Columbus now ranks as the 6th largest data center market globally, while Cleveland's healthcare IT scene thrives on the Cleveland Clinic's foundation, and Cincinnati leverages corporate giants like P&G and Kroger to fuel its B2B SaaS ecosystem. Cities across the state are building the backbone of American innovation.
What makes Ohio compelling is straightforward economics. The cost of living in Columbus is 37% lower than San Francisco, meaning your salary goes significantly further. Ohio startups operate with fundamentally lower burn rates and extended runway. Your equity holds its value, and you're building with a sustainable cost structure rather than racing against coastal economics.
Columbus leads in insurtech and logistics, Cleveland dominates healthcare IT and manufacturing tech, and Cincinnati excels in B2B SaaS. With Rev1 Ventures, Drive Capital, and JumpStart actively deploying capital, the ecosystem has matured from seeking validation to building companies that compete nationally.
👉 Best Places to Work in Columbus
👉 Best Places to Work in Cincinnati
12 Best Places to Work in Columbus
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo brings global scale and local impact together at its Columbus Tech Hub—pairing the stability of a major financial institution with an employee experience built around its “Well Life” approach to supporting people at work, at home, and beyond. All eligible regular and part-time employees in the US receive a competitive compensation and benefits package covering financial, physical, and emotional well-being. Benefits reflect that whole-life focus: paid time off, paid parental leave, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, tuition reimbursement, and more.
That employee-first philosophy extends into the community. Eligible employees receive 16 hours of paid volunteer time each year, making it easier to support causes that matter. Over the last five years, Wells Fargo has donated over $2 billion to strengthen local communities. The “Well Life” and community-impact approaches are just two reasons why Wells Fargo is a great place to work.
UpRys
UpRys is a collaborative of business-minded professionals helping to elevate organizations through expertise in people, process, and technology. They provide solutions such as business process optimization, employer-of-record, and fractional support while giving back a portion of profits to nonprofits — extending their community impact beyond client work.
What sets UpRys apart is how they treat their entire team, from full-time staff to consultants. The HR team consistently checks in on wellbeing and professional growth, responding quickly to needs and creating an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and included. Leadership actively listens to feedback and values contributions at all levels. The organization cultivates a collaborative, flexible workplace that understands when consultants can or can't take on projects, and regularly invites staff to community events for networking with partners and clients. For those seeking purpose-driven work with genuine support and flexibility, this is what UpRys offers.
Loop
Loop is the leading commerce operations platform for Shopify brands, streamlining returns, exchanges, and the entire customer journey to reduce friction and maximize revenue. Online shopping inevitably involves returns, and Loop is solving real problems in a billion-dollar industry while making it easier for merchants to support shoppers every day.
With a 4.88/5 rating from employee testimonials, Loop has earned its reputation as an exceptional workplace. The company covers the full cost of healthcare for all full-time employees, offers monthly wellness and workstation benefits, and provides 14 weeks of fully paid gender-neutral parental leave plus two weeks of paid ramp-up time. They're remote-friendly with hubs in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., celebrate 15 holidays, and follow a flexible PTO policy.
What truly stands out is how leaders consistently put empathy into action — actively soliciting feedback from merchants, partners, and team members to make both products and culture stronger. As one team member put it: “I’ve never worked somewhere that balances ambition and empathy as intentionally as Loop does. We’re encouraged to aim high, knowing that the way we work together shows up in what we build. That balance makes the work both challenging and sustainable.” Another shared that "Loop is, without question, my favorite place I've ever worked."
Forge Biologics
Forge Biologics is a CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) specializing in gene therapy manufacturing. They're building the infrastructure to help bring life-saving gene therapies to market, operating under strict GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards that are essential for patient safety. The work is highly technical, mission-critical, and directly tied to advancing treatments for rare diseases and genetic conditions.
Based in Columbus with primarily onsite roles in labs and manufacturing facilities, Forge offers company-paid health insurance, free food and drinks, shift differentials for manufacturing roles, and regular team events and food trucks. The company has an active women's employee resource group and hosts speaker series featuring the patient communities they serve, connecting employees directly to the mission. They're expanding rapidly as demand for gene therapy manufacturing capacity grows nationwide. For anyone interested in biotech manufacturing where quality control and precision matter enormously, Forge provides that opportunity with a clear patient impact mission driving the work.
CoverMyMeds
CoverMyMeds simplifies medication access by connecting patients, providers, pharmacies, and payers through technology that streamlines prior authorization. Their platform has become essential infrastructure in healthcare, processing millions of prior authorizations and helping patients get the medications they need without bureaucratic delays.
CoverMyMeds offers solid benefits, including mental health support and generous PTO, with a hybrid model and campus environment. The company has a strong track record (acquired by McKesson in 2017 for up to $1.4 billion, marking Columbus's first billion-dollar exit), and they've maintained a culture focused on patient access and impact. They have active ERGs, inclusive hiring practices, and genuine investment in employee development. For those who want to work on healthcare infrastructure that actually improves outcomes, CoverMyMeds combines mission, scale, and stability.
AndHealth
AndHealth believes healthcare is a human right. The company operates clinics and virtual care focused on chronic disease management — working to improve patient outcomes for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions through comprehensive care that combines in-person visits, remote monitoring, and coaching. It's healthcare delivery that takes the long view, focusing on prevention and management rather than just treating acute problems.
AndHealth offers 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums with no-cost virtual provider visits, a $2,000 annual HSA contribution, 4% 401(k) match, and adaptable PTO. The Columbus headquarters features complimentary healthy meals from their culinary team, an onsite gym, and weekly chiropractic care. They're an early-stage company led by the team that built CoverMyMeds, where you can help shape both clinical operations and technology systems. The work involves real patient interaction and measurable health outcomes, making it appealing for people who want their healthcare tech work to feel tangibly connected to improving lives.
Upstart
Upstart uses AI to make lending decisions, looking beyond traditional credit scores to assess borrower risk more accurately. The platform has helped expand access to credit for people who might be overlooked by conventional underwriting, while maintaining strong performance for lenders.
With a Columbus office and digital-first flexibility (most employees can work remotely), Upstart offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with HSA contributions, 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting, equity compensation, and catered lunches and snacks when working in the office. They host weekly all-company meetings, maintain active ERGs, and provide budgets for home office productivity. They're a mid-to-large company (1,000-5,000 employees) with the resources and stability that come with scale, while still moving quickly on product development. The work involves interesting technical challenges around machine learning, risk modeling, and regulatory compliance in financial services.
Quantum Health
Quantum Health provides healthcare navigation and benefits services, helping employees understand and use their healthcare benefits more effectively. With a mission to cut through the complexity of the US healthcare system, its platform combines human guidance and technology to reduce costs and improve experiences for both employers and their employees.
Quantum Health emphasizes a member-first culture and employee wellbeing, offering comprehensive benefits including mental health support. The company has earned recognition as a top workplace and operates with a hybrid model from their large Columbus campus. With 1,000-5,000 employees, they provide the stability and clear career paths that come with scale. The work addresses a problem everyone can relate to: cutting through the complexity of the US healthcare system to help people actually understand and use their benefits.
Redi Health
Redi Health builds a patient support platform that empowers patients to take more active roles in their healthcare. Their technology helps healthcare organizations engage patients more effectively, improving adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction. It's patient-centered technology addressing the challenge of keeping people engaged with their care between appointments.
Operating as an early-stage company with a recent $14 million Series B, Redi Health offers hybrid and remote flexibility, comprehensive health coverage at no cost, flexible PTO, and equity compensation. The company emphasizes true project ownership—employees work alongside a passionate team where individual contributions have immediate impact. The culture is built on their core values of "We Are All Patients," "Be the Connection," and "Redefine the Standard," creating an environment where everyone understands the personal nature of healthcare. The opportunity appeals to people interested in consumer-facing healthcare technology that puts patients first.
Matic
Matic is a digital insurance marketplace integrated with lenders, simplifying how people shop for and purchase home insurance during the mortgage process. Their platform embeds insurance selection directly into the home-buying journey, making it less painful and more transparent. It's insurtech solving a specific, high-stakes moment where people need better tools.
Operating with offices in Columbus and Lviv, Ukraine, Matic offers hybrid and remote flexibility, 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums with generous HSA contributions, unlimited PTO, equity compensation, and weekly team lunches. The company emphasizes their "one team, one dream" culture built on core values of quality, transparency, and fun—with frequent team events, happy hours, game nights, and annual rewards trips for top performers.
They've earned consistent recognition including Columbus Best Places to Work, Comparably Best Company Culture, and more. They're working in embedded insurance, a growing space as more companies look to integrate financial products directly into customer journeys. For those interested in fintech or insurtech with a clear use case and customer value proposition, Matic offers that focus with a team that takes both their work and their culture seriously.
Veeva
Veeva builds cloud software for life sciences companies, handling everything from clinical trials to regulatory submissions to commercial operations. They're the Salesforce of pharma and biotech, providing essential infrastructure that helps bring drugs to market faster and more efficiently. It's enterprise software with a direct impact on healthcare innovation.
Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, with a second headquarters in Dublin (just outside Columbus), Veeva operates as a "Work Anywhere" company — trusting employees to work from home or the office as they choose. The Dublin office offers onsite workout classes, comprehensive benefits including 401(k) matching and equity, fitness stipends, and an Employee Development Fund that allocates a percentage of salary for education and growth opportunities.
As a Public Benefit Corporation (the first to adopt this structure), Veeva balances the interests of all stakeholders — customers, employees, shareholders, and the industries it serves. With upwards of 5,000 employees, they offer the stability and resources of an established company while working in a regulated industry that presents interesting technical and compliance challenges. For those who want to work on software that supports healthcare innovation with flexibility and a culture of continuous learning, Veeva's Ohio presence provides that opportunity without relocating to Silicon Valley.
T-CETRA
T-CETRA enables cash-based payments in the digital economy, providing fintech infrastructure for people without traditional banking access. Their platform helps underbanked consumers participate in e-commerce and digital payments, addressing financial inclusion through technology. It's fintech with a social mission.
Based in Hilliard (Columbus suburbs) with onsite and hybrid roles, T-CETRA is a mid-sized company (200-500 employees) offering comprehensive health insurance, 401(k), 15 days PTO in year one (20-25 days thereafter), wellness stipends, volunteer time off, and a charitable match program. The company was recognized as a 2022 Healthiest Employers of Ohio finalist for its wellness program, which includes streaming fitness classes (like Zumba and Boot Camp), free snacks, group lunches with stipends, and growth reimbursement.
With employees from 30 countries speaking 20 languages, they've built a multicultural environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation. They're working on payment infrastructure that serves an often-overlooked population, which creates both technical challenges (integrating cash into digital systems) and mission-driven motivation. For those interested in financial technology that expands access rather than just optimizing for existing banking customers, T-CETRA offers that focus with a family-oriented culture.
7 Best Places to Work in Cincinnati
Gearsupply
Gearsupply is revolutionizing the live events industry with an online marketplace for buying and selling used professional audio, video, and lighting equipment. Founded in 2017, they've become the trusted platform connecting local sound technicians to major stadiums, working with brands like L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, and JBL. The company is committed to sustainability by keeping gear out of landfills and giving equipment a second life.
Named one of Cincinnati's top startups to watch in 2024, Gearsupply offers something rare for an early-stage company: real growth opportunities. About 50% of the full-time team has seen salary increases of 70-80%, and employees regularly grow into new roles. The company is scrappy and hands-on, with everyone impacting the product and business daily. For those who want to join a small, smart team tackling an untapped market with room to grow both the role and your career, Gearsupply delivers.
PatientPoint
PatientPoint is transforming healthcare at the point of care with digital solutions that impact 350 million adult visits annually. Their technology helps drive better health outcomes by connecting patients and providers with the right information at the right time. "Our people-first culture is not aspirational — it's operational," says Steven Amrhein, Manager of Employer Brand & University Relations. "Our mission gives teammates meaningful work that directly impacts patients and providers across the United States, and our values show up in how we lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day."
Recognized as a Best Place to Work since 2024, PatientPoint has built a culture grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose. They offer competitive and equitable pay paired with comprehensive health coverage, mental health resources, generous PTO, and parental leave that employees actually use. The company takes a thoughtful approach to flexibility with hybrid and remote options, and leaders model healthy work habits that respect boundaries. With strong engagement scores and a 4.75/5 rating from employee testimonials, PatientPoint combines meaningful work with a culture where belonging and employee voice genuinely matter.
Paycor
Paycor builds HR and payroll software for small and midsize businesses, handling everything from time tracking to benefits administration to compliance. Their platform helps companies manage the full employee lifecycle without needing separate tools for every HR function. It's enterprise software focused on making HR operations actually manageable for companies that don't have massive HR departments.
Paycor is a large company (upwards of 5,000 employees) with established benefits, hybrid and remote roles across Ohio, wellbeing programs, and clear career paths. They invest in DEI initiatives and maintain active ERGs. Employees consistently praise the benefits package and "Taking Care of Each Other" culture. For those seeking the stability of an established company while working on HR technology that impacts thousands of businesses, Paycor offers that combination with Paychex's backing following their April 2025 acquisition.
84.51 Degrees
84.51 Degrees is Kroger's data science and customer analytics arm, using retail data to help brands understand shopping behavior and optimize their strategies. They're working with massive datasets to solve problems around personalization, pricing, promotion effectiveness, and product placement. It's data science applied to one of the most data-rich industries: grocery retail.
With hybrid flexibility and onsite presence, 84.51 offers the resources of a large company backed by Kroger, including comprehensive benefits, professional development programs, and active DEI initiatives with ERGs. The work involves sophisticated analytics challenges and real business impact — insights that directly influence what products show up on shelves and how they're marketed. For data scientists and analysts who want to work at scale on problems that affect millions of shoppers, this is a compelling opportunity.
Cerkl
Cerkl builds employee communications and intranet platforms that help organizations actually reach their employees with important information. Their technology addresses the challenge of internal communications in distributed or deskless workforces where traditional tools like email don't cut it. It's B2B SaaS solving a persistent workplace problem.
Cerkl operates as a smaller company (50-200 employees) where individual contributions directly shape the product and team culture matters in tangible ways. They offer benefits including hybrid and remote options, unlimited PTO and flexibility, and they're working in a space — employee communications — that's become more critical as workplaces have become more distributed.
Employees consistently highlight the "employee first culture," unlimited PTO, and autonomy, with one noting that "Cerkl is and always has been a people-first company" where management prioritizes "peers' whole-self over the work at hand," (Glassdoor). The company genuinely listens and implements employee ideas, creating a collaborative environment with strong mentorship and modern tech. For those interested in workplace technology that helps organizations function better, Cerkl offers that focus with the energy of a growing team that practices what it preaches about employee experience.
Navistone
Navistone provides direct mail retargeting for digital marketers, connecting online behavior with offline marketing channels. Their platform helps brands reach customers through physical mail based on digital signals, creating a bridge between digital and traditional marketing. It's martech solving attribution and channel integration challenges.
Navistone is a mid-sized company (50-200 employees) where the CEO's stated goal — "we want this to be the best job you have ever had" — translates into actual investment in people, with management that cares about work-life balance, offering hybrid and remote roles, and gives employees quarterly goals to work toward without interference.
The company offers unlimited PTO and maintains a professional, friendly, and supportive environment across all levels, with leadership that authentically wants to see employees succeed. On Glassdoor, 100% of employees report positive business outlook Glassdoor, and the team is notably welcoming with collaboration as a core value where everyone is open to new ideas. For those interested in the intersection of digital and traditional marketing channels, Navistone provides that specialized focus with a culture that genuinely prioritizes autonomy and employee experience.
Genetesis
Genetesis develops cardiac imaging and AI diagnostics technology that makes heart disease detection more accessible and accurate. Their platform uses magnetocardiography and machine learning to identify cardiac issues earlier than traditional methods. Its medical device innovation focused on improving early detection of a leading cause of death.
Based in Mason (Cincinnati suburbs) with hybrid and in-person roles for lab and clinical work, Genetesis operates as an early-stage company working on FDA-approved technology with two FDA Breakthrough Device designations (Business Wire). The company has raised $9.2M in Series B financing from TDK Ventures, a Fortune 500 healthcare company, CincyTech, Ohio Innovation Fund, and Mark Cuban (EurekAlert!) and partners with nationally recognized institutions including Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and The Christ Hospital Health Network.
Employees highlight the mission-driven culture where individual work directly impacts patients, with opportunities to try new things outside traditional job responsibilities and collaborate across a diverse team of specialists working on breakthrough technology. They offer solid benefits including 401k match, robust healthcare options, and free local gym membership. For those interested in medical technology where the clinical impact is clear and the technical challenges are substantial, Genetesis provides that combination with the chance to work on technology addressing 8 million ER visits annually for chest pain.
