Business

Palo Alto is a great community to start a business in. From start-ups to restaurants and shops, and everything in between, Palo Alto has what your business needs to succeed!

Technology Hub

After all, Silicon Valley was born here. In a humble garage on Addison Ave, Bill Hewlett and David Packard began their then small business in 1938. With its international reputation as a leader in technology, Palo Alto has been home to more successful start-ups than any other city. Stanford Research Park is one of many technology hubs located within the city.

Diversity and Consumer Demand

The city gets top marks from business for several reasons and one of them is its diversity and the demand for restaurants, shopping, and more.

Palo Alto is rich in diversity and celebrates all walks of life. And, the Palo Alto restaurant scene is second to none! From unique take-out and casual dining to Michelin-starred restaurants, there are a broad range of cuisines that make Palo Alto a destination for foodies and an attractive place to open a restaurant. Palo Alto is also home to the Stanford Shopping Center, Town and Country Village, and other great shopping locations. Plus, there are many of independent shops delivering essential goods and services to the community.

Palo Alto is a lively city, with a daytime population of over 120,000 people who frequent local restaurants, coffee houses, and shops. At night, Palo Alto is a regional draw for its cultural events, top-rated restaurants and nightlife.

City Services

Palo Alto businesses get to enjoy the many City-provided services. The City operates an efficient and sustainable utility services. This is possible because Palo Alto had the foresight to invest in its own municipal utilities back in 1896. Modern services include a dark fiber infrastructure that provides ultra-fast internet access.

Plus, with Palo Alto 311, it's easy to report issues and provide feedback to the City.

Explore the City of Palo Alto Business pages for the resources and information you need.