Esri, an acronym of ‘Environmental Systems Research Institute, is a mapping software company that makes desktop and cloud-based geographic information systems (GIS) and geodatabase management applications.
It was founded 52 years ago, in 1969. The company is headquartered in Redlands, California, some 60 miles east of Los Angeles. To date, it is a privately held company wholly owned by Jack and Laura Dangermond.
Just like Google’s ‘Googleplex’ campus in Mountain View, CA, Esri maintains a multi-acre campus in Redlands, CA, that is covered in plantation and trees with access to walking paths, turtle ponds, a library housing hundreds of books, a 24/7 gym, and a Starbucks bar.
Why Esri?
Esri’s story intrigued us for several reasons. First, it’s one of the most responsibly run private software businesses in the Inland Empire and probably throughout the country.
“We had $1,100 total when we incorporated Esri. Today, about 350,000 organizations use our tools. We have 9,000 employees worldwide and $912 million in revenue. In our 43 years, we have never missed a quarter. We’ve never had any layoffs; we’ve never had any downsizing. It’s just been very conservative, systematic growth”.
Jack Dangermond, co-founder of Esri | Inc. Magazine
Esri – Profile Outline
- Zero Debt – Esri in Numbers
- Products and Customer Segments
- Frequently Asked Questions about Esri
- Business Network
- A History of Innovation
- Further Readings about Esri
- Recruiting Events
1. Zero Debt – Esri in Numbers
According to the company’s fact sheet, Esri maintains a zero-debt position and continues to pursue sustainable organic growth instead of chasing VC money. With 9000 employees in 73 countries, its GIS software is used by 350,000+ organizations, 50% of which are Fortune 500 companies, most national governments, cities, states, and 7,000+ universities.
The company annually holds its international Esri User Conference (UC) at the San Diego Convention Center, making it one of the pioneers in annual user conferences. In addition, Esri invests 30% of its revenues in Research and Development, compared to Microsoft and Google, investing roughly 13% of their revenues in R&D.
Esri invests 30% of its revenues in Research and Development
Esri Fact Sheet

2. Products & Customer Segments
Esri’s core product is ArcGIS, a family of client software, server software, and online GIS services developed and maintained by Esri. End users and enterprises can make interactive maps using ArcGIS. The product delivers:
- Spatial analysis
- Mapping and visualization
- 3D and Real-time GIS
- Imagery & remote sensing
Esri serves a wide range of industries, from cities, counties, and police departments, to the U.S. Geological Service and the National Park Service and business verticals like financial services, insurance, logistics and distribution, manufacturing, real estate, and retail. Visit this link to see the comprehensive list of industries Esri serves.
3. Frequently Asked Questions About Esri
Is Esri a big company?
Yes, with 9000+ employees across 43 offices worldwide, Esri is one of the world’s largest privately held software companies.
Where is Esri’s headquarters?
West Redlands, California, United States
Who owns Esri?
Jack and Laura Dangermond founded Esri in 1969 and are the founder-owners of Esri.
Does Esri pay well?
“The average annual salary, including base and bonus, at Esri is $102,457, or $49 per hour, while the estimated median salary is $87,565, or $42 per hour” (Comparably).
4. Business Network
It works with 100s of partners across 67+ countries that expand Esri’s reach into markets far and beyond.
5. A History of Innovation
Esri has sustained five fundamental technological shifts, from computer workstations, PCs, servers, and the Web to mobile devices; you may not find many companies evolving successfully. Esri not only maintains its leading position in the worldwide GIS market but still operates as a private company.
The company maintains a comprehensive suite of training programs and courses developed in-house and by community users.
The enterprise mapping software company boasts an impressive portfolio of clients like:
- Chevron
- Chubb Insurance
- Conrail
- Ernst & Young
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Korea Telecom
- Levi Strauss and Company
- Lockheed-Martin
- McDonald’s
- NASA
6. Further Readings About Esri
- You Can’t Kill Jack Dangermond’s Company. Try, And It Will Only Get Stronger
- How We Hit $912 Million in Sales
- Esri Profile- The Muse
7. Recruiting Events
Esri regularly holds virtual and in-person recruiting events. Below is the link to the company’s recruitment events page that displays the key information with dates.
We covered this in our Weekly Wire Roundup.
No matter how big or innovative a company is, the founder’s vision ultimately drives a company’s trajectory of sustainability and growth. But, apart from that, being in the market at the right time determines success too.
A Ted talk by Esri’s co-founder Jack Dangermond.
TED Talk
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