Zynga, the developer of games including “Farmville,” and “Mafia Wars,” began trading in New York this weekend. The company’s San Francisco headquarters hosted a gathering of hundreds of employees to celebrate. Mark Pincus, Zynga CEO, explained that he arranged the ceremony in order to include staff members in the IPO process. Mere moments after the…
Category Archives: Business
GE Sets Up Software Business in the Bay Area
General Electric has recently taken an interest in the software business, and has decided to set up its home base in the Bay Area. GE has announced its new $1 billion Global Software Center in San Ramon, which opened 00 new jobs in the Bay Area. The center aims to “speed the pace of innovation,…
SF’s Seedwell to Release New Channel on YouTube
Late last week, YouTube announced that it would begin releasing new, original channels on its platform next month. Over the course of the year, advertising-supported channels will be revealed on YouTube in areas such as fashion, comedy, news, education, sports, music and more. The project was executed with the help of experienced content producers, and…
Michelin Releases San Francisco Guide of 2012
Last week, Michelin Travel named 77 good-value restaurants in San Francisco. Both The French Laundry and Meadowood have maintained their three-star status, while three additional restaurants were granted their second star in the area as well. Benu, located on Hawthorne Street, received a new star for its Asian cuisine, as did the American Saison, and…
Rents Increase in the Bay Area as Homeownership Falls
Bay Area rent rates are on the rise as former homeowners struggle to find homes after foreclosure or mortgage payment issues. In counties like Santa Clara and San Mateo, rents are increasing as well, as a result of tech-driven employment. Jed Kolko, chief economist at San Francisco’s Trulia.com, said “In the Santa Clara and San…
Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs Dies at 56
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of a company that transformed the digital world, passed away yesterday, mere months after leaving his role as CEO due to health problems. His leadership forged the way for Apple to create novelties such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad. The company announced his death, mourning the suffering and loss of…
San Francisco’s Healthcare Industry
According to a recent report by the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, San Francisco’s hospital industry is one of the healthiest in the city’s economy. It contributes $15.3 billion to the economy on an annual basis, and creates almost 99,000 jobs or 18% of the city’s work force. Hospitality and tourism are the…
Bluewolf Announces Project Aimed at Reducing Unemployment
During Dreamforce 2011 in San Francisco this week, business consulting firm Bluewolf announced its new project aimed at reducing the US’s unemployment rate by providing public training programs for IT and business professionals. Inspired in part by the recent McKinsey & Company report, the project joins many other hoping to create 21 million jobs throughout…
Verizon Employees Return to Work, Negotiations to Begin This Week
Verizon’s 45,000 employees have agreed to resume working under a previous contract as negotiators aim to come to a new agreement. The recent strike protested benefit cuts that Verizon implemented in an effort to balance its declining sales. According to Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America, negotiations are to be held in…
Athleta Grows from SF to NY
Clothing line Gap Inc. announced yesterday the grand opening of its first two East Coast Athleta stores in Manhattan’s Upper East and Upper West sides. With the line’s first retail location being San Francisco, which opened earlier this year, the new additions boost Athelta’s plan to have 50 stores throughout the US by 2013. Scott…