The Tech Coast, generally considered the 101 corridor between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Barbara, has a high concentration of data communications companies.  If you've worked in the industry, you know we all "descend from" a few pioneers in the area.

The Tech Coast Genealogy Project endeavors to catalog how the DNA from the early founders and executives spread through the region - and injected large sums of money into our local economy.  The "Company Family Tree" (interactive diagram) is a work in progress that shows the flow of founders, executives and capital between companies.  A better version is also available (non-interactive "tree" version):

Send me your stories about how your company was formed, and where its genetic material came from to help make this project richer, more accurate and complete.

Cliff Hannel, de-facto historian