ElevenLabs California Expansion Adds 173 Jobs, Bolsters AI Voice Sector

ElevenLabs is set to expand its California operations, creating 173 new high-paying jobs across the state. This expansion, focused on research, engineering, sales, and other functions, is supported by an incentive through the California Competes Tax Credit program. The move deepens ElevenLabs' U.S. footprint in what it terms the "global center of technology, talent, and innovation." The company, which already has staff across California with San Francisco and Los Angeles as key hubs, aims to scale its presence, advance its research, and enhance its mission of reimagining human-technology interaction. This significant investment underscores California's position as a nexus for artificial intelligence development, particularly in specialized fields like voice and audio AI. StartupHub.ai data indicates ElevenLabs, with a score of 79/100, is a leading player in the AI voice sector, recently securing $550 million in Series D funding in 2026 at an $11 billion post-money valuation. This valuation and funding level significantly exceed those of its competitors, such as Coqui (score 48/100) and WellSaid Labs (score 61/100), positioning ElevenLabs at the forefront of the market. The 173 new roles are expected to bolster California's specialized audio research and engineering talent pool, reinforcing the state's appeal to next-generation AI companies. Governor Gavin Newsom stated, "California is where the future is built. Through investments like CalCompetes, we’re helping companies expand manufacturing, advance breakthrough technologies, and create high-quality jobs." ElevenLabs also plans to collaborate with the State of California on deploying voice AI for public services and accessibility, including for visually impaired individuals and diverse linguistic communities. Furthermore, the company is contributing its expertise to the Governor's task force on countering tech-enabled fraud, emphasizing a commitment to AI safety and public protection. This expansion mirrors ElevenLabs' broader strategy of growing alongside communities and governments worldwide, with similar initiatives underway in New York, the United Kingdom, Greece, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. The company lists open roles on its careers page.