Irvine has been ranked the leading innovation hub in Southern California, according to a new CommercialCafe study comparing cities across the Western U.S.
The study evaluated cities on 15 factors across talent, education and business activity – including STEM employment, degree attainment and growth in science- and tech-focused firms. Irvine placed No. 7 overall.
Irvine was master planned around two hubs of innovation: UC Irvine and its adjacent Research Park; and the Spectrum District. Together they cultivate startups, grow tech firms and fuel research. Irvine innovators have since invented the heart valve, authored the internet’s HTTP system and created World of Warcraft, while clusters in medical devices, ophthalmology and gaming employ thousands in high-paying STEM jobs.
