The California State Legislature has recognized Adobe and our Chair and CEO, Shantanu Narayen, for the company's contributions to the state of California over the past 40+ years. This was a moment of reflection and appreciation for the indelible role the state has played in our journey.
Adobe's story began the way so many great California stories do — with two people, a garage and a belief that a better way was possible. In 1982, John Warnock and Chuck Geschke set out to build a company that would fundamentally change how people create, communicate and tell their stories, launching the desktop publishing revolution.
More than four decades later, we are still proudly rooted here. Adobe is headquartered in San Jose, with additional offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and nearly 8,000 employees across California. California gave us more than a home — it gave us the talent and the belief that anyone’s ideas could change the world. Adobe's founding principle — that great ideas come from anywhere — still guides how we innovate, build products and invest in our communities.
Investing in California's future is central to that commitment. As AI reshapes every industry, we have a responsibility to help ensure all Californians have the skills and tools they'll need to succeed in an AI-powered economy. Last year, Adobe partnered with the State of California to build an AI-ready workforce, expanding access to AI literary resources, Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly for students and educators across Grades 9–12 and higher education institutions statewide. We're also investing in professional development, certifications, and AI literacy so educators can lead the way in responsible AI use, building on Adobe's global skilling initiatives to reach millions of teachers and learners worldwide.
Our long-standing partnership with the California State University system reflects the same goal. Every student and faculty and staff member across all 23 CSU campuses has access to Adobe's creativity and productivity tools — helping its graduates build the AI literacy and creative skills that today's workforce demands.
It also means investing in the communities that have supported us for more than four decades. Across the state, Adobe employees volunteer with nonprofits, serve on community boards, provide pro bono expertise and donate to organizations making a difference. In 2025, Adobe partnered with 10 San Jose-based nonprofits through our Hometown Commitment — investing $2 million through the Adobe Foundation and company grants. Adobe employees also contributed more than $12.7 million and 52,000 volunteer efforts to nonprofits across the state in 2025. We know that our success isn’t only measured by what we build, but by the impact we have on the places where we live and work.
Today’s recognition is an opportunity to celebrate our shared history and reaffirm our commitment to California's future as a global leader in creativity and innovation. From the microchip to the personal computer to the internet, California has always been where the future gets built. As the AI era unfolds, the next great breakthrough will depend on the same qualities that have always defined California: world-class talent, boundless creativity, bold ambition and the openness to turn new ideas into lasting impact.
