Best Company Culture: Midwest Startups and Tech Companies

The job market is always changing, but one thing that remains constant is the focus on building a great company culture. It makes the business more successful, and job seekers are always on the lookout for opportunities at culture-first organizations. 

What does it mean in 2024 to have a great company culture? It’s all about supporting employees, creating an environment that helps people thrive, and offering a place where people can do their best work. 

We’ve rounded up 30 of the best company cultures in the Midwest (and beyond). Check out how these organizations with the best company culture support their employees. Many of them are hiring!

30 Organizations With The Best Company Culture

Image courtesy of KLA

KLA

Founded in Silicon Valley with a second headquarters in Ann Arbor, KLA is helping advance semiconductor innovation in Michigan and around the world. This global tech company has one of the best company cultures around. Their state-of-the-art campus in Ann Arbor reflects their open, collaborative and flexible culture. They are highly inclusive, a direct reflection of KLA’s core values. Everyone at KLA plays a part in creating an inclusive culture where differences are valued and everyone experiences a sense of belonging. They also have a culture that supports health and wellness, offering many community wellness programs and partnering with grassroots organizations dedicated to achieving health equity. Outside the office, the KLA Foundation is committed to advancing humanity by investing in communities to create a more equitable, inclusive and accessible world. 

Image courtesy of GreenLancer

GreenLancer

GreenLancer is a tech company founded in Detroit with a remote-first team that’s paving the way for clean energy. Its nimble, innovative company culture is reflected throughout every aspect of the company. With the stability of a more established tech company, GreenLancer still maintains much of its startup culture: open to trying new things, forward-thinking mindset, creative, collaborative and autonomous. They also create an environment where innovation thrives and people approach their work refreshed with a stable work-life balance. 

Image courtesy of Sun & Water

Sun & Water

Sun & Water is a Columbus-based management consulting firm helping companies with their IT and business transformation projects. They have a deep value for building real partnerships with people and are committing to helping project managers have incredible work experiences. With a bullish commitment to work-life balance, Sun & Water’s team enjoys a flexible, dynamic and supportive culture. 

Image courtesy of Signal Advisors

Signal Advisors

Signal Advisors, a Detroit-founded and remote-friendly fintech startup, provides a platform and services for financial advisors, designed to support and enable more time back for things that matter: helping clients achieve financial wellness. What sets Signal’s culture apart from other companies is the support all employees receive. It’s all about having the tools, flexibility, and processes in place to operate remotely at a high level, but also realizing the importance of in-person interactions. Signal hosts team retreats in Detroit once a year, an all-company meeting every fall in Detroit called Camp Signal, and has a physical office in the heart of downtown Detroit with in-person days and events throughout the year. Their holistic, people-first approach encourages team members to learn, grow, have autonomy, and be the authentic versions of themselves.

Image courtesy of AccumTech

AccumTech

Based in Ann Arbor, the AccumTech team believes a company is more than just a place to work—it's a community. Their distinctive culture fosters a sense of belonging and mutual support that extends beyond the professional realm. From celebrating personal milestones like engagements, weddings, and new family members to recognizing achievements like completed goals and successful projects, every occasion is a cause for celebration at AccumTech. On a day-to-day basis at AccumTech, people work both collaboratively and independently, encourage and support each other. Beyond professional collaboration, the AccumTech team connects on a personal level through its many interest groups, which provide opportunities for employees to bond over hobbies, passions, and extracurricular activities. This camaraderie not only makes AccumTech an enjoyable workplace but also enhances collaboration, productivity and innovation. 

Image courtesy of Fusion

Fusion

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fusion is a global education group focused on helping students thrive with one-on-one education. Their culture is composed of its EPIC! core values. Excellence, Passion, Innovation, and Courage. Purpose-driven to its core, everyone at Fusion knows they have the potential to change people’s lives — it’s a mission they take seriously. The Fusion team is a group of like-minded professionals who work passionately and collaboratively to bring their mission to fruition while genuinely enjoying what they do.

Image courtesy of RIVET

RIVET

RIVET, a Detroit-based SaaS company supporting the construction industry, has a collaborative culture that’s accelerated by its hybrid model – they work in the office 3 days a week, which allows the table to be able to quickly debrief, make decisions, and then make things happen. One of the best places to work in Michigan, the RIVET team is made up of mission-driven, determined people who are excited to make a huge impact. 

Image source: One Cause

One Cause

OneCause, one of the best places to work in Indianapolis, is a software company helping nonprofits advance their mission with better fundraising tools. OneCause is a place where employees can make a huge impact within the company — and the nonprofit causes they serve. Its company culture celebrates and promotes diversity; prioritizes employee wellness through health coaching, yoga classes, and fitness competitions; and offers flexible holidays, generous time off, parental leave and paid volunteer time off.

Image source: cloudEQ

cloudEQ

cloudEQ is a global leader in the cloud space, offering innovative services to help organizations gain valuable insights into their technology stacks. Based in the Metro Detroit area, cloudEQ has often been recognized for having a top company culture and being a great place to work. The team builds genuine relationships, supports each other, and empowers each other’s growth both in and out of the office.

Image source: Everlight Solar

Everlight Solar

Everlight Solar provides homeowners with simple and affordable clean energy. To make going solar hassle-free, they supply the solar panels, and take care of all the installation—for no upfront cost. Based in Madison, Wisconsin with some remote roles, Everlight Solar is a great place to work with a top company culture. Ambitious, innovative and relationship-driven, Everlight’s culture supports employee growth and fosters belonging. 

Image source: Velosio LinkedIn

Velosio

Velosio is the cloud applications partner that clients trust to guide them to the right solutions quickly and transform their technology investments into competitive advantage. The Columbus-based company has been recognized for its great culture. They build long-term partnerships, support employee growth, and make work-life balance a priority for its team members.

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Pieces 

Based in Cincinnati, Pieces is a suite of on-device AI productivity tools for developers. They recently raised $13.5 million in Series A funding and are accelerating the development of its next-generation workflow copilot. Founded in 2020, Pieces is home to a small team of diverse and ambitious developers, designers and dreamers. Their culture supports innovation, collaboration, and autonomy. They have a “can-do”, empathetic and team-oriented mindset.

Image courtesy of CertifID

CertifID

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Austin, Texas, CertifID is a software startup helping prevent wire fraud. Its SaaS security platform validates identity and securely transfers bank account information. Purpose Certified, this company has a culture that celebrates ownership, inclusivity, work-life balance, professional growth, wellness, open communication and feedback, team building, and recognition, benefits and rewards. By prioritizing these aspects, CertifID is creating an environment where employees feel supported, motivated, and engaged.

Ionic

An OutSystems company, Ionic is changing the way mobile apps are built and delivered with its cross-platform mobile SDK, industry-leading mobile CI/CD, and micro frontend solutions. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Ionic has a company culture that celebrates innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and flexibility to support your life outside of work. 

Image courtesy of Bread Financial

Bread Financial

Bread Financial is a tech-forward financial services company based in Columbus, Ohio. The company has an award-winning culture that centers around growth and belonging. They invest in their employees to help them reach their goals and become the best they can be. People feel appreciated, included, valued, and fulfilled at Bread Financial. 

Image courtesy of Springbuk

Springbuk

Based in Indianapolis, Springbuk is a health data analytics solution that equips teams with the insights and expertise they need to sharpen their benefits strategy, advance employee health, and contain costs. Company culture is a vital part of Springbuk’s business, and it strives to bring out the best in others and themselves. They think big and move fast to raise the bar, they celebrate wins, and always strive to improve.

Image source: Luma Financial

Luma Financial Technologies

Cincinnati’s Luma Financial Technologies is the go-to partner for financial professionals who value transparency, objectivity, and ease of use in their investment management tools. This startup has one of the best company cultures with its fast-paced and collaborative work environment. The team is especially committed to employee growth with support in place to help everyone get the training and career development they need — and want.

Image source: Pumpkin LinkedIn

Pumpkin

Based in Columbus and New York, Pumpkin is an insurtech company for pet insurance. This pet-obsessed team heavily invests in its people, creating a great company culture. They celebrate wins, support work-life balance, and promote flexibility. Their offices encourage collaboration with in-office, hybrid and remote colleagues. And of course they are pet-friendly!

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Autobooks

Autobooks is on a mission to simplify banking and bring the customers back where they belong: with their financial institutions. This Detroit fintech company is a mission-driven, culture-first startup. It’s a place where culture isn’t just talked about, but something ingrained into the everyday operations of the team. The team embraces the hustle, values ownership, and invites feedback. 

Image source: Onebridge

Onebridge

Onebridge, a Marlabs company, is an AI and data analytics consulting firm based in Indianapolis. Rated among the top “Best Places to Work” in Indianapolis for 10 years in a row, Onebridge has a great company culture. They support balance and time to recharge, have avenues for professional growth, and fosters teamwork and collaboration. 

Image source: Beehive

Beehive Industries

Beehive Industries is an Ohio-based manufacturer, technology developer, and innovation partner for defense, aerospace, and related industries. They have a team of makers, problem solvers, and life-long learners. Their culture is inclusive, passionate and innovative. 

Image courtesy of Lilt

Lilt

Lilt is an AI startup helping enterprise companies create and translate content. With offices around the world, including Indianapolis, Lilt maintains a culture that’s rooted in inclusivity, collaboration, and impact. Their culture values teamwork, staying humble, innovation, and continuous learning, all in a fast-paced environment.

Image source: Fetch

Fetch

Fetch is the leading mobile shopping platform that enables users to earn and redeem rewards. This Madison, Wisconsin-based company has a fast-paced environment, isn’t afraid to take risks and works hard to create an inclusive environment. Other aspects of the culture that employees love include transparency, being nimble, flexibility, and the community. 

Image courtesy of Deepfield, photo by Melanie Reyes Photography

Deepfield

Founded in Ann Arbor and now a part of Nokia, Deepfield is focused on internet network analytics and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) security and providing service providers worldwide with detailed visibility into their networks, services and subscribers, as well as their security. Global and remotely-distributed, many of their team members are still thriving in Ann Arbor. The team enjoys a culture that celebrates community, flexibility, and innovation. 

Image source: AssetWatch

AssetWatch

Based in Columbus and hiring remotely, AssetWatch serves global manufacturers by powering manufacturing uptime through the delivery of an unparalleled condition monitoring experience. Its culture is team-oriented, embraces challenges and risks, and empowers everyone to take ownership. 

Image source: Understory

Understory

Understory is revolutionizing insurance solutions built for the era of climate change. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Understory has a distributed team across North America and Europe. Their culture is all about having unwavering support of colleagues. They value resilience, adaptability, work-life harmony, time for nurturing families, and fostering communities that care about the wellbeing of people and their livelihoods. 

Image source: ObservIQ LinkedIn

ObservIQ

Grand Rapids, Michigan company observIQ is committed to helping organizations gain visibility into their IT infrastructure by providing an orchestration engine that is easy to use and flexible enough to meet diverse needs. Their culture encourages everyone to speak their mind and boldly and respectfully collaborate. The team is passionate, committed to hard work, and fosters a positive team environment.

Image courtesy of Cleo

Cleo

Cleo is a supply chain software tool to help companies manage endless B2B integrations across their supply chain ecosystem. Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, they are a global tech company with a top-rated company culture. They celebrate continuous learning, support employee growth, and work together to make a difference. Their team is passionate, service-minded, and not afraid to challenge the status quo.

COGENT Infotech

Committed to helping customers solve complex business problems with cutting edge technology and marketing innovation, COGENT Infotech is a Pittsburgh-based organization with a great company culture. They’re all about forging enduring relationships, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, having an entrepreneurial mindset and fostering innovation. 

Image source: C3 Industries LinkedIn

C3 Industries

Ann Arbor-based C3 Industries is building a premier, vertically-integrated cannabis company in select markets and delivering high-quality products with strong brand recognition. Their culture is supportive, collaborative, passionate and creative.