techbook/mike1st/mark2nd

Still don’t believe that Southern California is a technology center?

Two area groups have just published a 400-page catalog that proves otherwise. “The Guide to the Tech Coast” is a compilation of more than 3,000 tech-related companies in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Together, the companies employ about 840,000 people.

“Most people are not aware of Southern California’s technology advantage and seem to think it all went away with defense downsizing,” said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles County and an editor on the project. “This guide will showcase the region’s advantage in the high-technology arena.”

In particular, the guide shows that the Chatsworth, Torrance, Santa Monica and Burbank-Glendale areas are home to clusters of small technology-driven firms. “These are the locations that will see some success stories in the future,” Kyser said.

Authors say the guide is the most comprehensive catalog to date of greater Los Angeles technology companies.

The guide’s sponsors, the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Regional Technology Alliance, say the catalog is designed to encourage venture capitalists and others to consider investing in greater L.A. technology firms or to relocate to L.A.

The guide is available from the EDC (213) 622-4300.

Ben Sullivan