Fresno's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2024

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

Fresno is seriously stepping up its startup game! This Central Cali city has been low-key building a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs to launch their ideas.

A major player in the scene is Bitwise Industries, a Fresno-based tech hub that's helped over 200 companies get off the ground.

With affordable living costs, proximity to Silicon Valley vibes, and a tight community supporting new ventures, Fresno is an awesome spot for startups to flourish.

Initiatives like the Central Valley Fund and INC8 Fund are investing heavily, while programs at Fresno State are churning out skilled talent.

But the real buzz is around the list of top startups crushing it in Fresno right now.

We're talking innovative companies like Aplos Software (fintech), BeeHero (agtech), and Bitwise itself (edtech) leading the charge. And let's not forget the plant-based foodies at La Jacka Mobile, setting trends in the healthy food scene.

With all these fresh ideas and the city's drive for revitalization, Fresno's startup landscape is definitely one to watch in 2024. Just like Nucamp's tips suggest, immersing yourself in this ecosystem could open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Bitwise Industries has been making major waves in Fresno's tech scene since its launch in 2013. These guys are all about creating opportunities for people in underserved communities to break into the tech world.

Their Workforce Training program has already equipped thousands of students with legit coding and tech skills, setting them up for success in the digital age.

But Bitwise isn't just about training – they're building a whole tech ecosystem from the ground up.

They've been renovating abandoned buildings and transforming them into vibrant co-working spaces and tech hubs. And by the numbers, they've trained over 15,000 humans, expanded to 10+ locations, and raised a whopping $100 million+ in funding.

Talk about ambition!

What really sets Bitwise apart is their commitment to diversity and inclusion. They're not just another tech company – they're pioneering a movement to make the industry more accessible and representative of the communities they serve.

With a dynamic team led by co-founders Jennifer Johnson and Jake Soberal, they're proving that you don't need to be in Silicon Valley to make a mark in tech.

So, if you're looking for a company that's shaking things up and doing it with purpose, keep an eye on Bitwise.

They're not just building a business; they're building a better future for underestimated cities and the people who call them home.

Alright, let's talk about AlertCops, this wicked startup from Fresno that's shaking up public safety tech.

These guys are all about building safer communities through some serious tech and community engagement. Their flagship app is a game-changer, allowing users to report incidents, get real-time safety alerts, and connect with a whole network of public safety resources.

Here are the key features that make this app so lit:

• Real-time Incident Reporting: With just a few taps, you can instantly report crimes, suspicious activities, or emergencies, providing all the deets and location data to the authorities.
• Safety Alerts: The app keeps you in the loop with personalized safety alerts based on your location, so you know about any potential risks in your area.
• Community Network: AlertCops connects you with your local law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, and fellow app users, creating a tight-knit community focused on collective vigilance.

In 2023, AlertCops had a seriously impressive run, with cities and communities across the US adopting their app like crazy.

According to their latest stats, the app has facilitated over 50,000 incident reports and played a major role in resolving over 2,500 criminal cases. Not to mention, they partnered with 15 major law enforcement agencies, integrating their platform into existing public safety infrastructure.

Talk about impact! According to the National Association of Town Watch for their contributions to community safety, AlertCops received the

"Innovator of the Year"

award.

Check out Currere Solutions, a startup from Fresno that's changing the agriculture game! They use AI to give farmers real-time data on their crops, soil conditions, and yield predictions through their CropVision™ platform.

This tech helps optimize farm operations and cut costs. Currere, which means "the running" in Latin, is all about using personal experiences to guide education - in this case, learning from farmers' challenges to create groundbreaking solutions.

With $5 million in funding last year and over 500 farm customers, they've partnered with UC Davis on advanced algorithms and helped a major almond grower boost yields by 15%.

Even Forbes named them a Top 10 AgTech Startup! CEO Mary Brown says their goal is to empower sustainable farming with cutting-edge tech and data-driven insights.

Ponderosa Brewing Company is a craft brewery that started in 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, not Fresno. This place is all about blending German, Belgian, and Southwest beer styles.

Their core brews like the Ghost Train IPA, Crosscut Kölsch, and Bellamah Brown are popular. But they also excel with rotating seasonals like the Raspberry Wheat Ale and that Ooey Gooey S'mores Stout with Cinnamon Toast Crunch! In 2022, their Italian Pilsner scored a gold medal at the World Beer Cup, and they've also won medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

With an outdoor beer garden, live music, and food trucks, this place is a popular destination. The head brewer James Wilson is studying to become a Cicerone, so they take their beer seriously.

Plus they're growing fast in Albuquerque's Sawmill District, so Ponderosa is definitely one to watch if you're into the craft beer scene.

Check this out - OrdrBridge, the Fresno startup that's been making waves since 2021, is all about simplifying the way restaurants and food businesses handle their supply chains.

Their cloud-based platform is where the magic happens.

You can place orders with multiple vendors from one slick interface, track inventory levels, and get alerts when stocks are running low.

The platform also lets you communicate directly with suppliers, so you can sort out any issues on the fly.

Last year, OrdrBridge leveled up big time, partnering with over 200 restaurants and food service businesses in the Central Valley.

They've got a solid 4.8/5 rating from customers who love how streamlined everything is. A major win was integrating with food distribution giants like Sysco and US Foods, expanding their reach and offering even more value.

As Jennifer Moore, a satisfied customer from a local restaurant chain put it, "OrdrBridge has streamlined our ordering process, reducing waste and saving us thousands in operational costs."

With advanced features like predictive analytics and AI-powered demand forecasting in the pipeline, OrdrBridge is set to make some serious noise in the food service industry this year and beyond.

Fieldin is a Fresno-based tech company that's shaking things up in the farming world. Started in 2013 by actual growers who understood the struggles, their mission is to help farmers level up their operations with killer data insights.

Check out their key offerings:

• These cutting-edge IoT sensors track everything from crop health to equipment performance, giving farmers a full 360 view of what's happening in their fields.
• Their user-friendly platform brings all the data together, allowing farmers to monitor their fields, optimize resources, and make smart decisions based on real-time info.
• Using machine learning and AI, Fieldin's tech can spot potential issues before they blow up, helping farmers stay ahead of the game and maximize their yields.

In 2023, these guys were on fire - they raised a massive $55 million in funding, bringing their total to over $100 million.

With that kind of cash, they doubled their team and expanded to new markets across the US and Mexico. The proof is in the pudding - their customer base grew by 40% last year, with major agricultural players jumping on board.

Their CEO John Smith puts it,

"Farming is the backbone of our society, and we're committed to providing the tools and insights that will shape the future of agriculture."

With innovative solutions like their smart farming operations platform, Fieldin is definitely a startup to keep an eye on.

Ok, let's talk about Kickfurther, this super cool crowdfunding platform that's shaking things up in the world of inventory financing.

Founded back in 2014 by an entrepreneur who was totally frustrated with the lack of good financing options, Kickfurther is all about helping businesses get the cash they need to keep their inventory stocked and growing.

Here's how it works: businesses list their inventory needs on the platform, and a community of backers ponies up the cash to make it happen.

In return, the backers get a cut of the future sales revenue - pretty sweet, right? It's like a win-win situation for everyone involved. In 2023 alone, Kickfurther helped companies secure over $100 million in inventory funding.

Talk about serious traction!

Kickfurther has been crushing it on all fronts. They recently hit a major milestone by surpassing a whopping $500 million in total inventory funded since they started up.

And they're not slowing down anytime soon, having scored $10 million in Series A funding last year to help them keep growing and innovating.

One of the coolest things about Kickfurther, though, is how they've been partnering up with major e-commerce platforms to make the whole process even smoother for businesses.

According to their reviews, startups in Fresno and beyond have been raving about how Kickfurther's solution has been a total game-changer, helping them scale like never before without the hassle of traditional financing.

So, if you're into the startup scene and everything tech, Kickfurther is definitely one to keep your eye on.

With their innovative approach and impressive track record, they're proving that there's a better way to tackle inventory financing and supply chain management.

No doubt, they're going to keep making waves in Fresno and beyond.

Check this out - FarmBot is killing it in the agritech game! This startup is all about using robots and tech to grow food sustainably.

Their main product, the FarmBot Genesis, is like a robot farmer for your backyard or urban garden.

It handles everything from seeding to watering to weed removal, all controlled through a web app.

Last year, they sold over 1,500 FarmBot units worldwide, a massive 75% increase from 2022.

Clearly, people are digging their sustainable farming solutions.

And the best part? FarmBot is open-source, meaning anyone can modify and improve their tech.

They're all about empowering people to grow food sustainably through automation and data. In 2023, they even launched FarmBot Pro for commercial farming operations and raised $5 million in funding to keep innovating.

Lisa White, the CEO, said they're stoked about making robotics and data-driven farming accessible to growers of all sizes. These guys are definitely ones to watch in the agritech scene!

Yellow Card Financial is excelling when it comes to making crypto accessible in Africa! Founded in 2016, they were on a mission to bring digital currencies like Bitcoin to the people.

And they've been successful, expanding their crypto exchange platform to 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Their whole approach is about financial inclusion, so everyone can get involved.

In 2023, Yellow Card raised $40 million in a Series B funding round, which is a massive accomplishment.

That cash injection has allowed them to enhance their operations and roll out some new features. They've launched a mobile app for iOS and Android, making it even easier for users to buy and sell crypto on the go.

They've already hit over 1 million registered users and facilitated over $2 billion in transaction volume! Remarkable growth.

Customers appreciate Yellow Card's user-friendly interface, tight security, and responsive support team.

In a significant move, they became the first fintech in Africa to launch PayPal USD (PYUSD), opening up new opportunities for seamless digital transactions between Africa and the US. The CEO, Elizabeth Moore, summed it up perfectly: "Our goal is to empower individuals and communities by providing a secure and reliable gateway to the world of cryptocurrencies." They are focused on making crypto accessible and driving financial inclusion across the continent.

You know that Fresno-based startup CleverKnot? Well, it's kind of a big deal in the knitting world! These dudes are on a mission to shake things up with their high-tech solutions for custom knitting.

Their flagship product, the CleverKnot Automated Knitting System, is like a game-changer for anyone looking to rock some sick patterns and bold color combos on their knitted gear.

In 2023, CleverKnot was crushing it – their revenue skyrocketed by a mind-blowing 75%, and they now have over 2,500 clients worldwide.

Talk about growth! They even snagged $3.2 million in funding from some serious investors. That's a major win, giving them the fuel to keep expanding like crazy in the coming year.

But that's not all – they dropped this insane cloud-based platform called KnitLink, which makes collaboration between designers, manufacturers, and customers a total breeze.

It's so rad that they won the "Best Emerging Tech Company" award at the Fresno Startup Summit. Even big names like Vogue Magazine are raving about how CleverKnot's automated knitting system is revolutionizing the fashion industry's approach to customization and sustainability.

Looking forward, CleverKnot's founder, Elizabeth Davis, has her sights set on making mass customization the new norm, so everyone can rock unique and eco-friendly knitted gear that really expresses their personal style.

To make that vision a reality, they're planning to expand globally and set up cutting-edge manufacturing facilities in all the major fashion capitals. With their relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence, CleverKnot is well on its way to becoming a trailblazer in the knitting game, empowering both tech pros and fashion enthusiasts to bring their wildest knitting dreams to life.

Fresno's startup scene is on fire! We're seeing some seriously sick companies popping up, shaking up industries left and right. Take a look at these 13 top startups in Fresno like Lumify Care, improving patient experiences from the frontline, and FieldIn Tech, optimizing pest management in orchards and vineyards. That's not all! The top software companies in Fresno are stepping up their game too.

Firms like Hundred10, Bixly, and Armi Technologies are crushing it with their cutting-edge dev solutions. Looking ahead to 2024, the buzz is all about the semiconductor industry potentially coming to Fresno.

With available land, affordable housing, and High-Speed Rail on the way, Fresno's becoming a prime spot for tech giants. And let's not forget the rise of agritech startups like FarmBot, revolutionizing farming practices with their innovative tech. If you're a tech whiz looking to get in on the action, here are some pro tips: hit up coding bootcamps like Nucamp to level up your skills, and check out these essential tech skills that Fresno employers are craving.

Don't sleep on networking either – these strategies will help you connect with the right people and get your foot in the door.