What Are The Best Tech Companies in Blockchain to Work For in 2019?
The best blockchain and crypto companies to work for according to VC’s, angel investors, and tech CEOs via The Breakout List.
“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.” — Sheryl Sandberg and Eric Schmidt
What is the Breakout List?
The Breakout List is a list of startups that have been identified for possessing a high potential impact or are poised rapid growth based on data collected from angels investors, venture capital firms, late-stage investors, and CEOs. The firm recently published their 2019 edition on their website.
The breakout list is created based on the advice — attributed to Sheryl Sandberg and Eric Schmidt — that joining a growing company that has broad impact potential can be one of the best moves for your career.
There are various companies listed according to their growth stage, open for new graduates, and according to job availability by position( e.g. engineers, salespeople, operations).
The list is comprised of various companies, most falling into a few broad categories, including artificial intelligence, augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, blockchain technology, cloud software, cryptocurrencies, data analytics, fintech, SaaS, space, and other firms using technology to enhance legacy industries.
The 2019 Breakout List for Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Companies
Binance — cryptoasset exchange that provides a platform for trading more than 100 cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase — A platform for buying, selling, earning, storing and using digital currency.
ConsenSys — Venture studio that incubates companies built on Ethereum, conducts private blockchain consulting via ConsenSys Solutions, and provides blockchain education programs through ConsenSys Academy. We’re hiring!
CoinList — A token sale listing platform enabling tokens to raise money from investors.
Electric Coin Company(formerly Zcash) — supports the development of the Zcash cryptocurrency — a privacy-protecting, digital currency built on strong science.
Harbor — A compliance platform for tokenizing private securities.
Numerai — A hedge fund worked on by an anonymous network of data scientists.
Protocol Labs — Building protocols, tools, and systems to improve how the internet works.
Reserve — a stablecoin company that is building a universal store of value.
Robinhood — Low-commission stock and cryptocurrency trading.
Breakout Categories
While not specific companies, the Breakout List does reference two overarching categories that have the potential to foster early high impact startups.
Cryptocurrency Companies — Tools and services for, or using, cryptocurrencies or blockchains. Some of the organizations listed included the Ethereum Foundation, Lightning Labs, and a few others.
Stablecoins — A class of cryptocurrencies which offer price stability and/or are backed by reserve asset(s). The list mentions TrustToken and Celo, however, there are various projects and groups working on stablecoins.
While many companies on the breakout list will likely fail or get acquihired(purchased for the talent), several of the firms on the list will grow to become the tech behemoths of the next couple decades.
Advice from the Breakout List
The breakout list compiles quotes and advice from reputable founders, angel investors, and tech icons.
“If you join a company, my general advice is to join a company on a breakout trajectory.”
– Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator
“All our advice on Silicon Valley careers is based on a simple idea: that your choice of company trumps everything else. It’s more important than your job title, your pay or your responsibilities.”
– Andy Rachleff, Wealthfront CEO
“Most startups are s**t. There’s a few of them that are really exceptional, and if you land at an exceptional one, you can do really well. If you randomly pick something, you’ll probably have a bad time.”
– Paul Bucheit, Creator of Gmail
“Apply this rule when selecting which company to go to. Go to the company where all the action is happening.”
– Marc Andreessen, A16Z founder
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors above do not necessarily represent the views of Consensys AG. ConsenSys is a decentralized community with ConsenSys Media being a platform for members to freely express their diverse ideas and perspectives. To learn more about ConsenSys and Ethereum, please visit consensys.net.