At Best Startup California we track over 300,000 Californian startups and over 1,500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and organisations we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
We’ve ranked the top 94 Communities companies in Oakland, California. The companies, startups and institutions listed in this article are all exceptional companies, well worth a follow. We have included links to their websites, socials and CrunchBase (if you’re interested in their financials).
We selected the organisations listed in this article based on:
- Track record
- Executive leadership
- Market share
- Innovation
- ESG rating
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Top Communities Companies & Startups (Oakland, California)
Countable
Countable is a community engagement platform that powers virtual communities for large and small organizations.
Founder(s): Bart Myers, Peter Arzhintar
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Internet, Social Network, Social News, Software
Follow:
Brightly
Brightly is a community-driven lifestyle brand empowering conscious consumers.
Founder(s): Laura Wittig, Liza Moiseeva, Marisha Schumacher-Hodge
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Digital Media, Sustainability
Follow:
OpenDoor
We create modern, collaborative living spaces that facilitate connection, creativity, and sharing.
Founder(s): Ben Provan, Jay Standish
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, E-Learning, Real Estate
Follow:
LocalWise
Localwise is an online job board that connects students and community members with jobs at local businesses.
Founder(s): Benjamin Hamlin
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Local Business, Search Engine
Follow:
Learners Guild
Learners Guild is the alternative to college for aspiring software developer.
Founder(s): Shereef Bishay
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Career Planning, Communities, Education, Higher Education, Software
Follow:
The Town Kitchen
The Town Kitchen delivers corporate lunch through a partnership with chefs and food artisans.
Founder(s): Jefferson Sevilla, Sabrina Mutukisna, Tara Mutukisna
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Food and Beverage, Food Delivery
Follow:
OppSites
OppSites is the Market-Network for City Building, connecting people to real estate and business opportunities in the places that matter.
Founder(s): Ian Ross, Tomas Janusas
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Building Material, Communities, Professional Services, Real Estate, Real Estate Investment
Follow:
Bloom
Bloom is a social and dating app that helps people meet around events
Founder(s): Lauren Vegter
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Dating
Follow:
Juabar Design
We envision a place for communities to interact with, learn about and create their own solar energy solutions.
Founder(s): Olivia Nava, Rachel Gant, Sachi DeCou
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Solar
Follow:
In2Circle
Connecting people through interests
Founder(s): Alex Art, George Dalakishvili, Shalva Bukia
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Social Media
Follow:
University of California
The University of California (UC) is a public university system in the state of California, with 10 campuses serving over 250,000 students.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education, Training, Universities
Follow:
DriversEd
DriversEd.com is the fastest way to get your permit.
Founder(s): Gary Golduber
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Pando
Pando is a free way to find and hire great contractors based on reviews from your friends and neighbors.
Founder(s): Brian Gitt, Omar Aguirre
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Apps, Communities, Internet
Follow:
Better Coliving
Better Coliving is a type of shared housing that offers affordable housing choices.
Founder(s): Jamie Wilson, Paula Kirlin
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Real Estate, Residential, Wellness
Follow:
Center for Social Dynamics
Center for Social Dynamics provides the best innovative solutions for children affected by autism or other disabilities.
Founder(s): Pete Pallarés
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education, Health Care
Follow:
Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA is a non-profit organization that operates as a third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
Founder(s): PAUL RICE
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Agriculture, Communities, Government, Non Profit
Follow:
HealthFlex Home Health & Hospice
HealthFlex Home Health & Hospice is healthcare service provide professional, comprehensive and knowledgeable health care to our community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Health Care, Professional Services
Follow:
Kapor Center for Social Impact
Kapor Center for Social Impact pursues creative strategies that will leverage information technology for positive social impact.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Information Technology, Social
Follow:
OfficeNinjas
Publication, Marketplace and Community for Office Managers & Assistants
Founder(s): Edwin Salgado, Nancy Chen-Salgado
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Digital Media, Events, Marketplace
Follow:
Project Include
Project Include promotes diversity and inclusion through research and advocacy. We are a non-profit, and we are hiring.
Founder(s): Ellen Pao
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Industrial, Information Technology, Non Profit
Follow:
Toyota Innovation Hub
Toyota Innovation Hub helps to improve human mobility experience drawing from its interaction with the community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities
Follow:
Hella Creative
Hella Creative is leveraging its collective strength to impact the community through moving creative design.
Founder(s): Brian Watson, Miles Dotson, Quinnton Harris
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Social, Social Impact
Follow:
Naturally Bay Area
Naturally Bay Area connects entrepreneurs, investors and corporate innovators to food and natural products community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Food and Beverage, Non Profit
Follow:
Oaklandish
Oaklandish offers premium local apparel and accessories that celebrate “local love and original Oakland charm”.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Fashion, Lifestyle, Social Media
Follow:
UpStart
UpStart strives to dream, build, and grow bold initiatives that enhance the vitality of Jewish life.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Religion
Follow:
City of Oakland
City of Oakland includes information about city services, departments, administration, meetings, events, and the community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Events, Information Technology, Lifestyle, Non Profit
Follow:
The Justice Collective
The Justice Collective is equal parts strategic initiative consulting, professional development, and online community hub.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Consulting, Government, Information Technology, Training
Follow:
Fred Finch Youth & Family Services
Fred Finch Youth & Family Services provides foster care, mental health, developmental disabilities, trauma, substance use, etc., services.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Health Care, Non Profit
Follow:
Coral Reef Alliance
Coral Reef Alliance is an environmental conservation uniting communities to save coral reefs.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities
Follow:
Boxouse
Boxouse converts shipping containers into tiny off grid houses and promotes sustainable communities.
Founder(s): Heather Stewart, Luke Iseman
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Home Decor, Lifestyle, Real Estate
Follow:
Movement Strategy Center
Movement Strategy Center is Supporting Leaders, Organizations, Networks, and Alliances.
Founder(s): Taj James
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Government, Non Profit
Follow:
GhanaThink Foundation
GhanaThink is an organization that seeks to mobilize and organize talent for the primary benefit of Ghana.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
Good World Solutions
Our mission is to increase transparency across global supply-chains and create dialogue between workers, companies and consumers.
Founder(s): Heather Franzese, Tom Rausch
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Agriculture, Communities, Infrastructure, Social Entrepreneurship
Follow:
My eCoach
My eCoach is an online learning community that offers professional development services to teachers, schools, and districts.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, E-Learning, Professional Services
Follow:
SpeakOut
Speak Out – The Institute for Democratic Education and Culture is a national non-profit organization.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education, Government, Non Profit
Follow:
Common Change
Common Change provides a web-based platform.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Crowdfunding, Non Profit
Follow:
Digital Democracy
Digital Democracy’s mission is to empower marginalized communities to use technology to defend their rights.
Founder(s): Emily Jacobi
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Digital Media, Information Technology, Non Profit, Wireless
Follow:
Chabot Space & Science Center
Chabot Space & Science Center is an Oakland-based organization that provides Bay Area schools with astronomy and science education programs.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Aerospace, Association, Communities, Education, Non Profit, Training
Follow:
Rogers Family Foundation
Rogers Family Foundation is a private family foundation established by T. Gary and Kathleen Rogers.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Black Wall Street
Black Wall Street is an NGO that aims to increase black businesses through business development, community relations & economic stability.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Social
Follow:
Maker Ed
Maker Ed’s mission is to create more opportunities for all young people to develop confidence.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education
Follow:
Oakland Symphony
Oakland Symphony specializes in offering live performances, orchestra, chorus music and youth education to improve the community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Music, Non Profit
Follow:
Essie Justice Group
Essie Justice Group harnesses the collective power of women with incarcerated loved ones to empower women and end mass incarceration.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Social
Follow:
Youth Mentoring and Sports
Youth Mentoring and Sports is a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for the youth to build positive relationships.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education, Non Profit, Sports
Follow:
eStructures
eStructures, Inc. delivers products and services to the LonWorks community, enabling companies to develop, deploy, and support.
Founder(s): Uriel Kluk
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Information Technology, Lifestyle
Follow:
AllTheBelts
The one stop shop for ALL the latest in combat sports news. Boxing, MMA, UFC, wrestling and martial arts.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Digital Media, Internet, Mobile, Mobile Apps, News, Social Media, Social News, Sports
Follow:
California Youth Connection
California Youth Connection is a youth led organization that develops youth leaders who empower each other and their communities.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
Housing Consortium of the East Bay
Housing Consortium of the East Bay creates inclusive communities for individuals with developmental disabilities or other special needs.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Property Management
Follow:
theREGISTRY Bay Area
African American arts, events, photos, culture, society and tech.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, News
Follow:
Common Future
Common Future is a nonprofit organization and a network of leaders aiming to rebuild an economy that includes everyone.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Sustainability
Follow:
The Women’s Foundation of California
The Women’s Foundation of California is a nonprofit foundation located in San Francisco. It was founded in 1980.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
NobleHour
We’re a small company with a big mission to provide an online platform that enables and facilitates community engagement.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Fox Theater
First of all, we have to understand that theatre is something that most people perceive as out of the ordinary.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Oakland Leaf
Oakland Leaf cultivates community transformation through creative education for youth and families.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education
Follow:
KIPP Bayview Academy
KIPP Bayview Academy operates high-achieving public schools in educationally underserved communities.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education
Follow:
C.O.O.K. Alliance
C.O.O.K. Alliance supports home cooks to legally and safely share meals with their neighbors.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Food and Beverage, Social
Follow:
ChangeLab Solutions
ChangeLab Solutions is a non-profit organization that offers legal approaches for the advancement of community health to prevent diseases.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Health Care, Legal, Non Profit, Personal Health, Training
Follow:
SUB4ME INC
Sub4me is SaaS for finding subs for and managing communications among members of a private group for a variety of activities.
Founder(s): Ron Huppert
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Information Technology, SaaS, Software, Sports
Follow:
Nimby
Nimby provides coworking spaces for artists and hobbyists to develop projects or collaborate with others.
Founder(s): Michael Snook
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Art, Communities, Internet, Media and Entertainment
Follow:
The Unity Council
The Unity Council promotes social equity and improves the quality of life by building communities where everyone can work, learn and thrive.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Personal Development
Follow:
Safe Passages
Safe Passages disrupts the cycle of poverty by engaging youth and families to build and drive a continuum of services.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Education, Health Care
Follow:
Call Dibs
Call Dibs is an online marketplace, allowing its clients to buy and sell goods within their military community.
Founder(s): Anthony Garcia, David Mojdehi, Derek Artz, Eric Merriam, Erica McMannes, Michael Ang
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, E-Commerce, Internet, Marketplace, Mobile Apps, National Security, Social Media
Follow:
Youth Uprising
Youth UpRising is a non-profit organization that helps low-income neighborhoods.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Charity, Communities, Non Profit, Social Assistance
Follow:
Pride Pocket
Pride Pocket is a crowdfunding platform.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Crowdfunding, Non Profit, Social, Social Assistance
Follow:
Center for Third World Organizing
Center for Third World Organizing is a racial justice organization dedicated to building a social justice movement led by people of color.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
EBAYC
EBAYC is a social organization that supports children and parents through intensive support, school partnerships, and after-school programs.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Children, Communities, Education, Non Profit, Social, Social Assistance, Young Adults
Follow:
Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)–Uniting Asian and Pacific Islander communities for environmental and social justice.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Root & Rebound
Root & Rebound is a nonprofit reentry advocacy firm that offers legal solutions, public education, training, and litigation services.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Legal, Non Profit, Professional Services
Follow:
Counter Culture Labs
DIYscience homegrown in the East Bay!.
Founder(s): Ryan Bethencourt
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education
Follow:
Online Abuse Prevention Initiative
OAPI is a nonprofit organization
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Internet, Non Profit
Follow:
California Workers’ Compensation Institute
California Workers’ Compensation Institute broad-based industry.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Broadcasting, Communities, Education, Insurance
Follow:
BRIDGEGOOD
Preparing student Creatives for meaningful design & tech careers. Operating as a nonprofit organization and design studio.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Human Resources, Internet
Follow:
ReliaTech
ReliaTech provides high quality computers and support, and creates jobs in under-served communities.
Founder(s): Robert Steele
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Speshio, Inc.
Speshio serves as a platform for group support.
Founder(s): Stephanie Slatt, Yahor Shadryn
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Mobile Apps
Follow:
Center for Media Justice
CMJ is a national racial justice organizing hub that champions the media and technology rights of communities of color and America’s poor.
Founder(s): Malkia Cyril
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
Urban Habitat
Urban Habitat builds power in low-income communities and communities of color by combining education, advocacy research &coalition building.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Education
Follow:
Youth Impact Hub Oakland
Youth Impact Hub Oakland is providing socially innovative training, collaborative co-working space and access to networks and resources.
Founder(s): Konda Mason
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Education
Follow:
Oakland Single Parents’ Network
The Oakland Single Parents’ Network is an online platform for family-centered community building for single parents both online and offline.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Association, Communities, Family, Internet, Non Profit, Online Portals
Follow:
The Mentoring Center
The Mentoring Center provides technical assistance and training for developing, operating mentoring programs for youth and young adults.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Technical Support, Training
Follow:
DoubleTwist
DoubleTwist.com is the genomics portal for the life science community.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Life Science, Online Portals
Follow:
DeeditForward
DeeditForward is a one stop shop to volunteer, get help and fundraise.
Founder(s): Joshua Alexander, Travis Wentworth
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Big Data, Communities, Lifestyle, Location Based Services, Mobile Apps, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Network
Follow:
Tndrbox
Tndrbox is an online community events board built for people in Oakland.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Information Technology
Follow:
HOPE Collaborative
HOPE Collaborative is a community collaborative working to support the health and wellbeing of Oakland
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Health Care
Follow:
Go Sikh
GoSikh is an online fashion brand that enables individuals to purchase traditional Sikh attire and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Wardrobe for Opportunity
Wardrobe for Opportunity provides access to transformational career support services for low-income Bay Area residents.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Social
Follow:
Bay Area Tumor Institute
Bay Area Tumor Institute is an organization.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Education, Government, Non Profit
Follow:
Our City Network
Our City is a startup nonprofit based in Oakland, working with cities everywhere.
Founder(s): Jake Levitas
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities
Follow:
Omni Commons
Omni Commons offers language classes, music programs for youth, and homework assistance for immigrant families.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Charity, Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
LeaderSpring Center
LeaderSpring Center is an equity-driven social sector by strengthening communities of leaders and their organizations.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Training
Follow:
Akonadi Foundation
Akonadi Foundation is a nonprofit that organizes, funds, and advocates movements and coordinated campaigns to support communities of color.
Founder(s): Quinn Delaney, Wayne Jordan
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit, Social Impact
Follow:
Commun Skin Care
Skincare products for community wellness.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Agriculture, Beauty, Communities, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage, Handmade, Health Care
Follow:
Indie Food Hub
Indie Food Hub is an online resource center and community space for small food entrepreneurs and diners.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Food and Beverage
Follow:
ProjectBinario
ProjectBinario is nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs artists in emerging tech ecosystems.
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Non Profit
Follow:
BlueSprout
An industrial co-working space and business accelerator which provides access to small run manufacturing facilities and capital
Founder(s):
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Communities, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Small and Medium Businesses
Follow: