Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM, ETR:FOO) is putting its money where its code is, committing $15 billion to San Francisco over the next five years to strengthen the city’s standing as a global hub for artificial intelligence.
The investment will fund a new AI Incubator Hub on the company’s campus, support workforce training, and help businesses adopt AI tools.
The announcement comes as nearly 50,000 attendees gather for Dreamforce 2025, Salesforce’s annual technology conference, which is expected to generate $130 million in local revenue and create 35,000 jobs.
Chief executive Marc Benioff said the initiative reflects the company’s “deep commitment to our hometown, advancing AI innovation, creating jobs, and helping our communities thrive.”
Founded in 1999 as a cloud software start-up, Salesforce has grown into a 76,000-employee AI powerhouse and San Francisco’s largest private employer.
The company has expanded through major acquisitions of local firms, including Slack and MuleSoft, while continuing to invest in home-grown startups through Salesforce Ventures, which has backed AI innovators such as Anthropic and Writer.
Salesforce’s new AI hub will accelerate startup growth and train workers for roles such as AI architects and integration specialists. Its free Trailhead learning platform has already helped more than five million people acquire digital skills.
The company also pledged $39 million to local education and healthcare projects, bringing combined Salesforce and Benioff philanthropy in the Bay Area to more than $1 billion.