Silicon Valley comes to mind almost immediately when you hear the phrase technology. The region, which is home to Apple, Google, Facebook, and hundreds of other companies, is a major player in wooing tech talent. As a result, it should come as no surprise that California topped our annual Cyberstates study in numerous categories.

But, as surprising as it may seem, California's IT industry – which contributes $481.7 billion to the state's annual GDP, or 18.9% – is much more than Silicon Valley.

We deal with everyone from the world's largest corporations to one-person start-ups with a great idea. We believe that the best way to solve difficult design problems is to have a thorough understanding of the user. We work closely with our clients to meet their requirements.

California is the world's technical innovation leader. California has 1.88 million tech workers, about twice as many as the next-highest-ranking state, and has gained more employment than any other state since 2010. California has more technology-based firms than any other state in the US, ranging from specialised software services to tech manufacturing. And no state's tech economy is more prolific than California's, which alone accounts for more than a quarter of national tech productivity.

There is no better site than California to produce the most cutting-edge technologies. California is home to seven of the top ten AI investors in the world. California received approximately half of all AI venture capital dollars. Right here, you'll find the nation's top-rated computer science university programs and the nation's largest and most diverse network of public universities. California can continue to invest in integrated K-16 education and increase broadband with continuing spending.