Although many communities are being touted as the next great technology hub, Silicon Valley is still the reigning champion of tech hubs. It is considered by many as the global center of technological innovation. They even named a TV show after Silicon Valley.
Is Silicon Valley a Technology Hub?
Yes, Silicon Valley is one of the greatest technology hubs in the world, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Silicon Valley is home to more than thirty of the Fortune 1000 businesses and one-third of all venture capital investment. Some of the major technology companies that call Silicon Valley home include Apple, Google, and Meta. With over 3 million people living in Silicon Valley and millions living in the surrounding areas, Silicon Valley is a thriving metropolis of technology and innovation. Like a networking hub it connects Silicon Valley people, companies, and devices together to act as a single network segment.
Why Do They Call It Silicon Valley?
It all started in 1971, with Don Hoefler’s article in Electronic News. He wrote a three-part series covering the history of the semiconductor, coining the term Silicon Valley. The rest is history. This term is so popular that every new business community wants to be the next Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley covers 1,854 square miles from San Jose and Santa Clara, West to the Santa Cruz coast and North into the San Francisco Bay Area.
Which Tech Companies Got Their Start in Silicon Valley?
There are many tech companies that call Silicon Valley home. Some of the more prominent include:
Hewlett Packard – headquartered in Palo Alton, HP is seen as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. HP is a manufacturer of software and supports businesses with computer services, and is now two distinct companies, Hewlett Packard Enterprises and HP Inc.
IBM – also known as International Business Machines Corporation, IBM transitioned away from computer hardware into industry consulting, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and many other cutting-edge technologies. Say hello to Deep Blue, AlphaGo and Watson.
Apple – headquartered in Cupertino, Apple is a multi-trillion-dollar business that designs, manufactures and sells mobile devices, personal computers, and digital music players. Apple is famous for the iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and Mac computers.
Meta – the worlds largest social networking company with brands like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, with billions of users on their many social platforms. These users can stay connected with posts, messages, updates, photos, video sharing and notification updates. Meta has recently entered the Metaverse.
Google (Alphabet) – headquartered in Mountain View, Google is a trillion-dollar business that offers a range of products from search functionality to an Internet browser, word-processing apps that rival Microsoft, and digital marketing across desktop, mobile and video.
Oracle – headquartered in Redwood City, Oracle started life in Santa Clara as Software Development Laboratories, founded by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates. Oracle is the industry standard in hardware, software, cloud infrastructure, and cloud applications.
Broadcom – a global infrastructure technology leader that is keeping the silicon in Silicon Valley. Broadcom designs, develops and manufacturers semiconductors and infrastructure software products. Broadcom is headquartered in San Jose and has been innovating for over 50 years.
Cisco – headquartered in San Jose, Cisco is an IT and networking company that specializes in switches, routers, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.
Intel – headquartered in Santa Clara, Intel is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of cloud computing technologies and semiconductor chips. Many computer companies install Intel microprocessors in their personal computers.
Nvidia – based in Santa Clara, Nvidia has been synonymous with PC gaming for decades through their development of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits are used in everything from electronic game consoles to personal computers. Nvidia is also a manufacturer of graphic processing units (GPUs)
Adobe – a computer software company headquartered in San Jose, Adobe offers multimedia and creativity software products like PhotoShop, Acrobat Reader and Adobe Creative Cloud. These software products allow individuals and businesses to create graphic designs, edit video, develop the web, and manage photography.
eBay – an ecommerce company focused on connecting buyers and sellers through the use of auctions and direct sales. Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, eBay is based in San Jose and caters to over 190 markets around the world.
PayPal – headquartered in San Jose, PayPal is a payment system used to transfer money around the world. The payment system is safe and secure allowing consumers to pay for products and services online, and acts as an intermediary between two financial institutions. This status allows PayPal to offer KYC services, payment insurance and multiple ways to fund a PayPal account.
Is the University of Silicon Valley a Creative Tech Educational Hub?
University of Silicon Valley is a highly regarded creative technology college in Silicon Valley. The faculty have experience from top Silicon Valley businesses like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo, CISCO, and Apple to name a few. They bring that knowledge to the classroom and pass it on to you, as a student at the University of Silicon Valley.
The University of Silicon Valley offers degrees in Digital Art & Animation, Game Design & Development, Audio & Music Technology, Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Computer Science. For over 130 years, University of Silicon Valley has offered an immersive and collaborative educational experience that unlocks your creativity. University of Silicon Valley helps you turn your passion into your profession. Explore their program offerings to help you develop the skills you need for the Silicon Valley job you’ll love.
What Creative Tech Programs Does University of Silicon Valley Offer?
University of Silicon Valley prepares you for success in the creative-technology industries by providing an extraordinary, real-world college education, inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. The creative tech programs offered include:
Digital Art & Animation
A program focused on visual effects, 2D and 3D animation or concept art for video games, the Digital Art & Animation program teaches you about the VFX and animation pipelines. This Bachelor of Arts program offers a concentration in 3D modeling, 3D animation, entertainment design and technical art.
Game Design & Development
Choose between a bachelor’s degree in Game Art or Game Engineering. The Game Art degree focuses on the art and writing behind game design, while the Game Engineering degree focuses on the design process of video game development.
Audio & Music Technology
University of Silicon Valley empowers aspiring audiophiles to master audio and music production technology. The Bachelor of Science in Digital Audio Technology introduces you to the broad discipline of music and audio production. This hands-on program covers the fundamentals of music and audio while applying the theory to individual and collaborative media production.
Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation
University of Silicon Valley encapsulates the culture behind Silicon Valley’s success in the Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation degree program. The Master of Arts in Entrepreneurship & Innovation can be completed in as little as one year, with full-time attendance. This program helps graduating students start their own business venture, manage entrepreneurial enterprises, transition to a new career, or thrive through innovation in their current place of work.
Computer Science
University of Silicon Valley’s Computer Science program is taught by entrepreneurs in the thick of the creative technology industry. The Software Development bachelor’s degree will help you develop your technical, creative and leadership skills to successfully work as a software developer.
Final Thoughts
If you are ready to start working in the biggest technology hub in the world, then it is time to learn more about University of Silicon Valley. Our creative technology programs will prepare you for employment at many of Silicon Valley’s Fortune 1000 companies and start-ups alike. Some of our graduates have even gone on to create their own companies in creative technology. By attending the University of Silicon Valley, you will be joining a select few that call Silicon Valley home.
Want to Learn More?
University of Silicon Valley is uniquely poised to offer a meaningful and valuable education for 21st century students. We believe in an education that directly correlates with the work you’ll be doing after you graduate. Interested in learning more? Contact Us today.
