[gadrev]

It was a one-employee "company" (besides the founder). I don't think that qualifies as "any tech company". Just try to put yourself in the owner's shoes.

[whimsicalism]

If they are paying tech company wages, then $800 to be able to hire as many employees as you want in California is a drop in the bucket.

[avmich]

My friend, who was trying to raise a startup, didn't get payments for the product (too early), didn't have VC funding (yet), had to close the California presence because of such expenses.

[whimsicalism]

your friend was somehow hiring engineers in California and an $800 expense was the blocker? sure.

[avmich]

No, he didn't hire, but had a registered presence. This fee applies anyway, and for him it was too much to justify.